Do you own an adult cat and would like to adopt a new kitten? Note that cats are territorial animals and don’t appreciate changes in their environment, especially the arrival of a new companion. That’s why you need to know how to introduce your new kitten to your cat, to avoid any conflict. If, like many people, you want to buy a new kitten but don’t know how to deal with your old one, this article is for you. In 5 steps, you’ll discover the best ways to make your presentation a success.
5 steps to a successful presentation
If you’d like to have two cats in your home, it’s best to adopt them at the same time, or to adopt the second cat as soon as possible. However, if you’ve missed out, here are some effective tips for introducing your cat to a new kitten.
Prepare your cat for the arrival of the new kitten
Cats are territorial animals, which means that the slightest change in their environment can be stressful for them. The arrival of a kitten can cause a little upheaval in your household. Because not only will your cat have to share you with the newcomer, it will also have to share its territory. This can be difficult for a feline to accept.
Before thinking about settling in your new kitten, it’s a good idea to take your cat to the vet for a check-up. This check-up is very important to ensure that your cat is in good health. In fact, it’s best for your cat to welcome his new roommate without any health problems, as illness will increase his stress and discomfort tenfold. What’s more, having a healthy cat is super important to avoid contaminating kittens, which are even more fragile than cats.
Introduce your new kitten’s accessories gradually
To avoid disrupting your cat’s daily routine, there are a few tips you should follow. Several weeks before she arrives in your home, introduce the new kitten’s new objects little by little. You’ll also need to start arranging the room in which you want to place your kitten.
You’ll need to fit it out little by little, installing toys, bowls and a bed for your new kitten as the days go by. When the room is ready, introduce one of your current cat’s toys. If you have any of your new kitten’s belongings, you can also bring them into this room, to help her feel at home.
Use pheromones
To create a pleasant atmosphere between your two cats, use pheromones a few weeks before the kitten arrives. Pheromones are chemical substances comparable to hormones emitted by most animals. They act as a message between individuals of the same species. In fact, this compound transmits information to other organisms, which has a physiological influence on their behavior. Using pheromones will help your current cat to accept the arrival of the kitten.
Careful presentation
Has the day come when you have to pick up your kitten to take her home? Once you’ve brought him home, stay at the entrance and leave your new companion in his carrier. Next, call your cat to you and make sure it quickly smells the crate. Now go to your kitten’s room, then close the door. Let the newcomer out of his crate to explore his new environment (his living room). It’s important that your kitten stays locked up like this for a few days before going outside.
A few days later, you can let your kitten get acquainted with your cat through the door that separates them. Although the door is closed, your cats will be able to listen to each other without seeing each other, smell each other and get used to each other gently. Above all, this exercise will let your adult cat know that there’s a newcomer in the room and gradually learn to accept him or her. In addition, by regularly smelling your kitten’s scent on your clothes, your adult cat will quickly gain confidence.
As the days go by, your two cats will get to know each other. Both curious, your cats will be able to smell or listen to each other without seeing each other, allowing them to get used to each other gently. This exercise will let your adult cat know that there’s a newcomer in the room and gradually learn to accept it. In addition, by regularly smelling your kitten’s scent on your clothes, your adult cat will quickly gain confidence.
Open the door
The final stage is the physical presentation in the flesh. After a few days of cohabitation (around a week), you can finally let your kitten discover the whole of your home. Open the door to the room where he’s staying, and let him roam free while you keep an eye on him. Give them time and don’t force any interaction between your cats. You must only intervene in case of danger. If your cat wants to go to your new kitten, it will do so of its own accord; if it wants to prohibit it from certain areas of its territory, it will do so freely. Don’t worry, the hierarchy will be established quite naturally between them.
However, to encourage your cat to be kind to your kitten, you can praise her, pet her or give her a treat for each positive intervention. To strengthen the bond between your pets, you can also play with both of them to lighten the mood. However, one way to prevent your adult cat from feeling neglected is to spend as much time with him as possible. This is important, to allow him to feel that he still occupies the first place in your heart.
This way, your cat will accept your new kitten more easily. If your cat doesn’t accept your kitten at first, don’t force it. It’ll come in time! It’s important to understand that the older a cat is, the harder it may find it to tolerate a new presence.
As you can see, the key to a successful presentation between your cats is to follow each of the above steps. For the best possible cohabitation between your adult cat and your new kitten, don’t move too fast. Go at the pace of the most stressed cat. If, despite everything, you’re still having trouble introducing your new kitten, contact professionals who can help you. However, in the meantime, you can read our article Introducing a new cat without conflict.
