How to Introduce a Kitten to an Old Cat
Introducing a kitten to an old cat can be tricky. There are instances when the old or resident cat may never be happy with the presence of a kitten. To maximize the chances that your old cat welcomes and becomes comfortable with a new kitten, follow these steps.
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Instructions
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Allow your old cat to gradually familiarize itself with the kitten. For example, if it is a stray kitten that spends most of its time outdoors, let your old cat observe it through the window most of the time and bring the kitten indoors for short periods of time.
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Set aside a room in your house where the kitten can live most of the time, if it is spending most of its time indoors. Take the kitten out of the room for short intervals and gradually introduce it to your old cat.
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Establish a litter box for the kitten. If possible, place it some distance away from your old cat's litter box. Later, your cats may use each other's boxes, or even the same box, but its best to introduce your kitten to his own box at first.
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Give the kitten its own food dish and water bowl. The cats then can use the same water bowl, but it is best if the kitten has his own bowl at first.
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Talk nicely to the kitten and your old cat as you are introducing them to each other. Cats understand emotion, and your old cat can adapt to your emotion if it knows that you are friendly toward the new kitten.
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Play with the kitten using balls or other cat toys, and let the old cat watch or join in. The old cat then realizes that the kitten is a great playmate.
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Comments
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russellcleggett
Nov 22, 2010
hi, i have a 5 month old kitten, and have introduced an 8 week old kitten to the house, only today. There is a lot of hissing from the new arrival, a lot of biting on the neck from the 5 month old and a lot of scratching. They are both males, what can i do to get them to get used to each other -
zambonigirl
May 03, 2010
I had to put down my beloved Sasha due to illness. After a couple of weeks I brought home a kitten Olivia and slowly introduced her to Bailee my existing older cat. It has now been five months and Bailee only tolerates Olivia. Olivia still being a kitten (7 months old) want to follow and play with Bailee. Bailee however hates it so she hisses and growls mostly though growls at Olivia and avoid her most of the time. I am hoping that after Olivia gets to be more of a adult cat and less playful things will change and Bailee will be more accepting of Olivia. If not I will need to accept the situation and live with it as giving either of them up is not an option. Still hoping for the best out come and if anyone has an tips please let me know.... Thanks Tamara
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MaternityBride
Apr 30, 2009
Good tips! Our old neutered male cat (13) was very grumpy at first with our new kitten (7 weeks) and I was afraid he would attack her - but 3 days later and they are already becoming buddies.
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marissa806
Oct 04, 2008
I have 2 older cats,age 11 and have just received a kitten. It is proving very difficult for them to get along. How long might it take. They just hiss at him whenever they see him. What is an estimated time frame i should be looking at or expecting? It has been about 7 days.
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marissa806
Oct 04, 2008
I have 2 older cats,age 11 and have just received a kitten. It is proving very difficult for them to get along. How long might it take. They just hiss at him whenever they see him. What is an estimated time frame i should be looking at or expecting? It has been about 7 days.
