How to Introduce a New Kitten to Your Cat
So you want a kitten, but you already have a cat. Knowing how to introduce a new kitten to your cat can be tricky at best. After all, we know who’s usually boss, right? The established cat doesn’t always take kindly to new critters in the house, especially another cat. My cat, for example, hates cats! I wouldn’t even try to bring a new one home. She’d make their life miserable.
So you want a kitten, but you already have a cat. Knowing how to introduce a new kitten to your cat can be tricky at best. After all, we know who’s usually boss, right? The established cat doesn’t always take kindly to new critters in the house, especially another cat. My cat, for example, hates cats! I wouldn’t even try to bring a new one home. She’d make their life miserable.
It’s unpredictable what will happen once you bring the new kitty home. They may become best friends, but don’t make the mistake of assuming that early on. Cats are unpredictable. That’s why we love them. But one thing you can depend on is that they are territorial. Introduce both cats to each other in a gradual manner, until you can judge whether it’s safe to have them be together.
Related:
4 Things to do Before Bringing a New Kitten Home
How to Introduce a New Kitten to Your Cat
Assuming that you bring your new kitten home in a cat carrier, the best thing to do at first is simply leave the kitten in the carrier and let your cat check it out. Let it walk around it, smell it, get a feel for what’s inside. This way you can judge certain reactions at the same time.
Give it some time. Don’t let the kitten out of the carrier too soon, and when you do, make sure you hold it while your cats check it out further. Let them sniff each other and get familiar. Never leave the kitten alone with the older cat, especially at night when all humans are asleep until the kitten is big enough and secure enough to defend itself. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
If you find that your cat is less-than-accepting, you might even have to keep them in separate rooms for a period of time. They will be able to hear each other and still smell each other, but this will ensure that the older cat will not attack the little tyke.
Important Read:
Reasons Why You Should NEVER Declaw Your Cat
Acceptance will happen, hopefully, depending on how long your older cat has been the boss of the house. It may not appreciate this new threat. Give it time and always monitor them. They may have to go through a point where they will stand off. This may be necessary for the older cat to establish who’s the boss here. This is natural, but be very careful about this. We don’t want any injuries to either cat.
Whatever you do, try not to give the older cat any less loving than before the new kitty came. Make sure it doesn’t feel neglected while you ooh and ahh over the new pet. They may never become fast friends. Who knows? Over time, the cats should develop an understanding of each other, and harmony will result.
All the best, and enjoy your new kitty!
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We’ve had to unfortunately separate the new kitten from our existing house cat – i guess it will take a bit more time for our housecat to get used to our new kitten.
Annie, it’s always hit or miss when adding a new pet member to your household. You can usually except a couple of scuffles along the way. Hopefully things will turn work out for your kitten and cat soon.
I love this information especially since we are just going through this, again. Thank you so much, this is so helpful, you can never be too informed, no matter how many times you go through this
Thanks, Alesha. I’m glad you appreciate the information. Take care, and come back soon!
All good things to think about. All too often, pet parents just let the cats figure it out on their own which can end up in fights, etc.
Yes, it sure can end up wrong, with one cat sometimes traumatized for a good long time! Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, Kayla. I appreciate you!
Very good tips!
Thank you!
Thank you, Holly. 🙂
Hi Jeanne,
This is some very good points. I do not have a kitten but I surely was interested in your thoughts on how to introduce a new kitten into the household with another. Thanks for sharing.