How to Introduce a Kitten to an Older Cat · Kinship

Introducing cats could be a problem. There’s an instinctual response to seeing a stranger cat that may trigger stress, worry, concern over assets, and even defensive aggression. For this reason a sluggish, cautious introduction is so vital, even if you’re introducing a candy, harmless kitten to your older cat.

Working with your cat’s wants and instincts as an alternative of pushing in opposition to them will set you up for fulfillment. Let’s discuss kitty intros.

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Cat introduction timeline and expectations

On one hand, introducing a kitten to an older cat may be simpler than introducing two older cats. It additionally comes with its personal set of challenges. Some older cats discover kittens much less threatening. They could be extra curious and fewer defensive towards a kitten, although the kitten might discover that curiosity intimidating.

Different cats don’t care about age. Kittens develop up and may begin fights and steal assets. So, the older cat could also be defensive and nervous whatever the kitten’s age. The introduction course of is what helps you navigate these reactions.

I do know your large query: How lengthy will it take to introduce my cat to my new kitten? The reality is there’s no set-in-stone timeline. I counsel letting the cats information the timing. In the event that they don’t have a giant response to one another, that’s nice! Going by a cautious intro course of remains to be good, however you’ll transfer by it extra rapidly.

If there’s some pressure or worry, or your older cat is so excited that they might injure the kitten, you’ll take extra time to maneuver by the steps. Plan on months, not weeks. If it occurs quicker, it’s a nice shock. If it takes longer, you’ll anticipate it and gained’t be disenchanted.

Concerns for introducing an older cat and a kitten

Earlier than you begin your introduction, it’s useful to concentrate on some issues that may impression your progress.

Totally different power ranges

One of many main causes older and youthful cats have relationship points is a distinction in power ranges. Kittens hit their peak power and play aggression window between about 9 months and two years outdated. At this age, they’re programmed to get good at two very important “cat” issues — searching and protection. And something that strikes may be apply.

Two kittens will spend hours a day wrestling, stalking one another, and many others. Your older cat will take the brunt of that (it’s referred to as play aggression), particularly if there’s no different outlet to your kitten. Which means your older cat might grow to be defensive, aggressive, fearful, and even begin hiding in response to your kitten’s high-energy and play-aggressive habits.

The perfect issues you are able to do to handle this are a number of each day play periods that replicate searching and plenty of psychological and bodily enrichment, like self-play toys, meals puzzles, coaching periods, and many others.

Getting ready your older cat

Kittens are fairly resilient and fearless. Older cats are extra vulnerable to stress and reactivity. It’s vital to assist your older cat scale back stress and really feel safe. Each day interactive play periods, psychological enrichment, and bonding time with you’ll assist.

One of the crucial vital features of this complete course of is just not pushing both cat previous their consolation zone. You’ll need to look ahead to even tiny indicators of stress, worry, nervousness, and many others. Should you see it, flip the depth down. Don’t push — particularly your older cat.

Getting ready the setting

One side of serving to your older cat and kitten really feel safe is establishing their setting correctly.

Till they’re getting alongside properly, they need to be separated, coming collectively just for supervised time. Every ought to have a “secure area” with all the pieces they want. When separated, you possibly can rotate them into the primary residing space in order that they get time with you.

Present multiples of key assets. These embrace meals, water, litter bins, excessive perches, hiding spots, resting spots, and scratchers. Unfold them out. Keep away from clumping all of the litter bins, for instance, in a single room. They need to have easy accessibility to assets wherever they’re within the dwelling. It will enhance their consolation shifting round, particularly in case your older cat sees your kitten as a tiny predator.

Uncovered litter bins are your finest guess. Your older cat will really feel safer utilizing the field if they’ve open sight traces and may see that your kitten isn’t sitting exterior the field, able to pounce on them.

Introducing the cats

It’s time to introduce these two. In my expertise, it’s finest to do a sluggish, cautious intro whatever the scenario. Nevertheless, some older cats do fairly properly with kittens with out an excessive amount of work. So, you possibly can perform a little check to see how they reply to one another first. If it goes properly, you possibly can proceed down that path. If not, the sluggish intro shall be finest.

Do an intro check

Whenever you carry your kitten dwelling, have your older cat in one other room in order that they don’t see one another. Get your kitten into their secure area. That’s the place they need to keep for no less than just a few days until you’re proper there to oversee them. They should modify to the brand new dwelling slowly and safely.

Throughout this time, rub your kitten with a clear sock. Take that sock to your older cat. Set it on the ground close by with treats on high. That is the way you positively introduce your kitten’s scent to your older cat. Do that no less than as soon as a day for a few days.

In case your older cat eats the treats and doesn’t react to the sock, strive letting them see one another. Do that with a barrier (like two stacked child gates) and plenty of area between them. Have one thing constructive for them to deal with, like treats. Allow them to examine one another out from a distance.

If that goes properly, transfer them nearer collectively over just a few days. If all goes rather well and nobody appears in any respect nervous, begin intently supervised periods the place they share area. Make these very quick to start out and regularly enhance the size as they’re prepared.

Fostering the connection between the cats

When the cats see one another by the barrier or share area, make good issues occur. Present them that being calm round one another means treats, pets, mellow play, verbal reward, and many others.

Want a slower introduction?

If both cat has any nervousness, worry, or aggression through the check intro, the perfect factor is to undergo a slower, extra cautious intro course of. I promise it’s well worth the effort. You may’t energy by. As soon as a cat has their defenses up, they keep up. Go together with a much less intense introduction. Don’t fear! We’ve acquired an article that offers you tons of knowledge. Contact a licensed feline coaching and habits advisor for extra assist.

Indicators your cat is accepting the brand new kitten

First, let’s begin with indicators your cat is just not feeling good about what’s taking place. Should you see these from both cat, flip the depth down:

Staring intensely
Dilated pupils (saucer eyes)
Unwilling to show their again or look away from one another
Hissing or vocalizing
Attempting to look bigger or smaller
Puffed fur (piloerection)
Licking the lips
Fidgeting
Tail twitching in an agitated method
Pores and skin twitching
Normal nervous habits

In the event that they’re feeling relaxed round one another, their guard isn’t up, and so they’re not fearful, you may even see:

Delicate face and posture
Wonderful turning away from one another; not fixated
Simply distracted
Sitting or mendacity down vs. staying up and on alert
Slowly and calmly leaving the realm vs. operating or hiding

And, in fact, any constructive interactions they’ve with one another are a great signal.

FAQs (Individuals additionally ask)

When can my kitten meet different cats?

Letting your kitten decompress and get comfy of their new dwelling earlier than they meet different cats is a good suggestion. This transition could be a large one for some cats. There’s no rush. The safer and relaxed they really feel, the higher the assembly will go.

When can my cat meet my canine?

When cats and canines ought to meet depends upon many components, together with the canine’s consolation with cats and the way properly their prey drive is managed. It’s finest to let your cat get very comfy of their new dwelling earlier than the introduction. The safer your cat feels within the area, the much less reactive they might be to the canine.

Is my cat lonely?

Cats can definitely really feel lonely. That is very true for kittens who left litter mates and at the moment are solo. Vocalizing, not eager to be away from you, nervousness, harmful behaviors, and extra may be clues that your cat wants psychological and bodily enrichment and bonding time with you.

The right way to introduce a brand new cat to your loved ones?

How and when to let household and buddies meet your new cat depends upon the cat’s temperament and luxury of their new dwelling. If in case you have a pleasant, fearless, ready-to-explore cat, they might be prepared to satisfy folks straight away.

A nervous cat who’s perhaps hiding, taking a while adjusting to their new area, and feeling anxious might have time to settle in. Assembly folks briefly periods, separately, can even assist.

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