Cat And New Kitten Introduction

Introducing a new kitten to an older cat should be done slowly and with care explains christina lee animal behavior counselor for the aspca s anti cruelty behavior team.

Cat and new kitten introduction.

As you prepare to introduce your cat to a new addition keep the following steps in mind. How to introduce two cats. A playful cat is a good match for a playful kitten and that lively kitten may clash with a calm older cat. Cats are naturally solitary animals free ranging cats are territorial and hunt and scavenge for food alone lee tells the dodo.

Many cat loving households have more than one cat in their family. When they first meet she ll recognise the scent as something non threatening. Preparation is the key to a successful introduction of a new kitten to your older cat. Before you get a kitten.

How to introduce cats. If possible before your new kitten comes home take a new toy or a blanket to the breeder s premises or the pet shop and get some of your new kitten s scent rubbed in. For more on related topics see. The best and worst way to train your cat.

If you already have a cat and have decided to increase the family by introducing a new cat into your home you should know the best way for both pets get along and to get to know each other. Introducing a kitten to an adult cat can cause a lot of stress in your household but there are some things you can do to help make the introduction go more smoothly. This can make it difficult for people who want to introduce a new kitten into a home where another cat already lives especially if that other cat is an adult. Once the kitten is acclimated to their safe room and new human or humans you can begin the introduction process slowly.

Learn more about the benefits of multi cat households however introducing a new cat to an existing cat home can take time and patience. As the title suggests this is but an overview. For even more detail on this cat to cat introduction process an entire chapter in fact check out my latest book total cat mojo. Fortunately the first introduction does not have to be negative.

Don t rush the introduction between two cats. Although sometimes cats will get along swimmingly in just a couple of hours you should not be surprised to have a battle on your hands if you try to introduce your new cat too quickly. Then leave this lying around at home for your existing cat to become familiar with. Cats can be companions playmates and help enrich eath other s lives.

For cats scent is the most important sense in identifying each other.