How To Introduce A Kitten To A Cat

6 Tips for Introducing a New Kitten to Your Resident Cat

Introductions between two cats with distinct personalities, especially between a “only child” resident cat and a new kitten, can be extremely tough. During the acclimation period, follow the six suggestions below to keep yourself and your cats from becoming stressed.

1. Create a Separate Kitten Space

Introductions between two cats with contrasting personalities, especially between a “only child” resident cat and a new kitten, can be extremely challenging to navigate. During the acclimation period, follow the six suggestions below to keep yourself and your cats stress-free.

2. Handle Vet Visits Right Away

A frequent vet check-up is required as part of the adoption procedure. It is best if you can schedule your kitten’s first visit to the veterinarian on the same day that you want to take the animal home. After the introductions have begun, you don’t want to stop them midway through. In addition to a health exam and any necessary vaccines, this appointment should include a conversation about spaying or neutering your kitten if it hasn’t been done before. Take some time to clip your kitten’s nails and brush its fur in addition to the veterinarian appointment before placing the kitten in their allocated kitten habitat.

3. Introduce the Cats Slowly

Cats are fiercely protective of their territory. Your resident cat or cats are most likely under the impression that they are the owners of your home. A new kitten might seem like a danger to an existing ownership relationship, which is why it’s so crucial to introduce them gradually. Expect to be away from the kitten for a few of days at the very least. After the first day or two, offer each of your cats an item that has the fragrance of the other animal on it, such as a blanket, pillow, or fabric toy, to keep them company.

Avoid explicitly approaching either cat with a scented object, since this behavior may be perceived as a threat by the cats.

For example, you may allow your cats to view one other via a baby gate or allow one of them to smell beneath the door of the other cat’s assigned territory.

4. Keep Watch for Any Warning Signs

Change might be stressful for any of your cats, depending on their personalities. Your incumbent cat may feel as if its territory is being infringed upon, and your new kitten may struggle to adjust to a new environment while also dealing with the introduction of a new sibling. If either cat gets violent throughout the introduction procedure, the process should be restarted by separating the two cats. Because of this strategy, your animals will no longer perceive a danger to their liberty and safety.

If one or both cats begin to exhibit indications of serious suffering, take them to the veterinarian right once. Inappropriate urine, excessive vocalization, and aberrant grooming can all be signs of severe stress in your cat, which can be hazardous to his or her health if left untreated.

5. Stay Patient Through the Introductions

For any of your cats, change can be unpleasant. Your incumbent cat may feel as if its territory is being infringed upon, and your new kitten may struggle to adjust to a new environment while also dealing with the introduction of a new sibling at the same. The introduction process should be restarted if either cat gets hostile during the process. Because of this step, your animals’ sense of threat to their liberty and safety is lessened. In the event that one or both cats begin to exhibit acute indications of discomfort, seek veterinary attention immediately.

6. Understand How to Respond to Aggression

When cats first begin to live together, they may engage in playful fighting or compete for toys and human attention. Pay close attention to your cats’ behavior during the first few days after they are permitted to socialize freely with one another. Batting, pouncing, and other forms of action are common throughout normal game play, although they are not required. You should not, however, allow the cats to engage in aggressive behaviors such as hissing and arching. If one or both cats become aggressive, distract them with a loud noise or a toy to give them a chance to flee and find safety elsewhere.

If necessary, keep the cats separated in a secure environment until they have both calmed down.

These suggestions will assist you in ensuring that, with a little effort, both of your feline companions feel comfortable, confident, and protected in your house.

Our knowledgeable, caring team, wide range of available services, and state-of-the-art animal clinics are all geared to provide you with the peace of mind that your pet is receiving the finest possible care at the most reasonable cost.

Introducing another Adult Cat or Kitten to your Cat

It is always going to be challenging to welcome a new cat into your household with your current resident cat. However, it is vital to remember that even when the introduction procedure is carried out with the greatest care, there is no assurance that the cats will get along well with one another. Cats have a natural aversion to living with other cats, and it is critical that you be able to recognize and address this in order to ensure that the cats in your care have the greatest possible welfare, both in terms of their physical health and their psychological well-being.

Your cats may be with you for a long period of time.

In addition to the fact that owners feel much better when their cats get along rather than dislike one another, the stress level of the cats is decreased significantly as well.

Setting up the home for your new cat

In the event that you have decided to adopt a new cat, the first step you should take when you bring the cat home is to restrict the new cat to a single room. In an ideal situation, choose a space that is not frequently used by your resident cat and to which you do not require regular access, such as a spare bedroom or office. Make certain that the new cat’s room has the following items:

• Food, water, comfortable resting spaces with bedding, hiding spots, a litter box, toys, and a scratching post are all provided.

Ideally, these objects should be those that came with the cat, or they should be completely new. You should avoid using some of your resident cat’s items since these items will smell like your resident cat, which may make your new cat feel anxious at a time when you are attempting to assist it feel at ease in its new environment. Similarly, lowering the quantity of possessions that your present cat has (for example, by removing a litter tray) has the potential to cause it unhappiness as well.

This may aid in the adaptation of the new cat to the new surroundings, while it may also aid in the prevention of any emotions of being threatened by the incumbent cat’s territory.

This is what will happen:

• In a proactive manner, by rubbing the scent gland regions on the sides of your cat’s face against furniture and the corners of the walls, and by scratching its scratching post
• Observe your cat napping and relaxing on bedding and playing with toys in a passive manner

It might take several days to a week or two for the cat to become used to the new environment depending on the cat. The following are signs that your new cat is settling in to its new home environment:

• When you enter the room, friendly behaviors like as approaching you, stroking around your legs, chirruping, purring, and meowing are displayed. The animal is lying on its side with its belly exposed and is prone to turning over. It is occupying itself with its toys
• Furniture, edges of walls, and other things in its room are rubbed against the face of the animal. Behaviours such as normal feeding, drinking, grooming, and toileting

If your new cat is displaying any indications of frustration (as described below) as a result of being kept in a single room, you may desire to offer it with more space, such as a corridor or an additional room that is not shared with your incumbent cat. If this is not feasible, it may be desirable to begin the introduction process as soon as possible after the meeting. The following are examples of signs of frustration caused by confinement:

• The act of scratching or pawing at the entrance and its surroundings, or at the glass
• Cats that meow for several minutes at a time Pacing in front of the entrance
• Arriving at the front door
• When you try to exit the room, someone swipes at you

Scent swapping

The procedure of introducing the cats to one another should begin once the cat has become completely comfortable in its own area of the house. Begin by gently introducing the scent of the other cat to each of the cats in your household (without actually physically meeting). This is necessary because cats use the scent of individual cats to determine whether or not they are members of the same social group. To do this, we will create a common fragrance that will allow all of the cats to recognize one another as members of the same social group.

This increases the likelihood that they will accept one another’s bodily presence since they are more likely to perceive one another as members of the same social group if this is accomplished.

More information on the way cats interact with one another through the use of pheromones and odours can be found here.

Step 1: Exchange bedding

Begin by removing one item of each cat’s bedding (for example, a single blanket) and placing it in one of the other cat’s beds to start the fragrance swapping process. There should be enough bedding for both cats so that this change in bedding does not result in either cat having a limited number of sleeping or resting spots after the transition. We anticipate that each cat will lay onto the bedding of the other cat, so blending their two distinct odors to form a more cohesive overall aroma. Keep a close eye on both cats’ responses to the new bedding.

As a result, the cat may need to move through the steps at a much more leisurely rate.

For more than one piece of bedding, you can repeat the technique described above.

This will allow you to measure your resident cat’s reaction to the new cat’s scent as soon as possible after bringing it home.

It is possible to wear a light cotton glove while stroking the cats (one glove for each cat) or use a cloth to wipe over each cat’s facial glands (under the chin, cheeks, and areas in front of the ears) and then wipe it onto the furniture in the part of home where the other cat lives to make the cats feel more comfortable being stroked by the human.

Step 2: Allow exploration of each cat’s area

The resident cat might be temporarily restrained (for example, during the night, to the owner’s bedroom) to allow the new cat to investigate the resident cat’s part of the home if they do not display any unpleasant reactions to the smell of one another on their bedding (and on their rubbed regions). Nonetheless, confinement should only be implemented if it is unlikely to result in any suffering, such as frustration. Instead, the new cat might be temporarily taken from its room (and confined elsewhere) to enable the incumbent cat more freedom of exploration.

Step 3: Allow visual contact

The cats should only be permitted to interact with one another when they have been completely comfortable in the home as a whole and after they have detected the scent of the other cat.

The ability to see each other should be achieved through the use of a physical barrier. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including the following:

• A door that is slightly ajar (to prevent them from passing through)
• A mesh barrier – some individuals build a wooden door frame that fits within their current door frame and is coated in mesh wire
• A door that is slightly ajar (to prevent them from passing through). a stair gate designed specifically for toddlers

Advice for using crates positively for kitten introductions only

• The use of crates, such as those used for dogs, for adult cat introductions should be avoided at all costs since the limited size of a box limits their ability to flee from the other cat. For kittens who have become accustomed to being house-trained during their early development or who have been positively trained to enjoy being in a crate, it may be possible to use this method during introductions if your home does not have separate rooms or cannot be divided in any other way, such as using a crate. If you want to bring a cat or kitten to your home, never confine one or both to a cat carrier since they do not allow any option for escape. Cats can be introduced to their new environment through the use of a large crate in a room that is strategically placed in the corner and partially covered with a blanket to provide an area where the kitten can be out of sight. In addition to a blanket covering one area of the cage, the crate should always contain a hiding place within it where the cat can remove itself from visual view. The crate might be furnished with a cardboard box or an igloo bed in order to accomplish this. Having a place to hide when the resident cat comes gives the kitten the opportunity to relax. The entrance to the room may then be opened and the resident cat can be let out to explore the room while the kitten is contained in the crate. The kitten can be distracted with a few treats or high-value toys, and the resident cat can be fed a high-value food reward as well, in order to establish good connections between the two cats. These goodies should be saved for times when the two cats are exposed to each other in order to retain their value. Crates should be spacious enough for the kitten to be able to walk around freely and should have essential resources such as food, water, a litter tray, and a hiding spot. These materials must be placed as far apart from one another as possible, which means that the larger the container, the better the result.

When people are in visual proximity to one another, they should experience positive sentiments. As a result, cats can be played with or provided food treats, with each activity occurring independently of the other. It should never be a competition of stares. Instead, the cats should be content with going about their own business while yet being able to gaze at one another sometimes. Allowing them to smell one another through a barrier is acceptable; however, any signs of negative behavior toward one another (e.g., growling, hissing, flattening or rotating of ears with tense body posture) should be immediately distracted, for example, by luring the instigator of the negative behavior out of sight of the other cat using a toy such as a fishing rod toy.

1. If there is more than one resident cat, visual contact should be established between only two cats at first (one resident each time and the new cat), and subsequently the number of cats should be increased as necessary (more residents and the new cat).
2. As soon as one of the cats displays symptoms of anxiety or antagonism toward the other, remove the cats physically and visually from one another immediately.
3. As a result, the cats may begin to feel more comfortable with one another once more.
4. In these situations, Feliway Classic and Feliway Friends can be used in conjunction with one another.

Step 4: Physical access but supervised contact

This following stage should only be carried out once the cats are completely familiar with the idea of seeing each other via a barrier. It is preferable if the removal or opening of the barrier occurs softly, particularly at a time when both cats are engaged in a joyful activity such as playing or eating. Never push the cats together and always try to be as passive as possible. The primary goal is for the cats to feel comfortable in each other’s company; they do not need to be physically engaging in order to achieve this.

If cats appear to be at ease when in the presence of one another, then physical access should be provided as frequently as feasible under supervision.

Step 5: Free access without supervision for short periods

As long as there is no bad behavior between the cats during the ‘physical access but monitored touch’ stage, free unsupervised access for brief periods of time (a few minutes) is permissible. Once free unsupervised access has been established, it should be made available as frequently as feasible. During the rest of the time, the new cat is kept apart from the others. If pleasant behaviors are observed between the new cat and the resident, they can be kept together for increasingly longer amounts of time; however, they should always be allowed access to their respective areas of the house when separated.

1. The separate room can be left permanently open over time if everything is going smoothly.
2. Cats can access the entire environment while also retreating to areas where they are not in conflict with the cats with whom they are in conflict in some cases.
3. Increased chances for vertical space use, such as shelves, pathways, and perches, can assist cats in maintaining their own personal territory.
4. If you are having difficulty completing this introduction procedure, or if the cats have a breakdown after an initially successful introduction, it is a good idea to seek expert assistance.

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How to Introduce a New Kitten to Your Cat

Getting a new kitten is a lot of joy, but not everyone in your family will be as enthusiastic as you are about your new addition. Each product that we showcase has been picked and vetted by our editorial staff after being thoroughly researched and tested. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of the links on this page, we may receive a commission. Kittens are simply simple entertaining to have around the house. There are no limits to how much fun they may have with their silly personalities and entertaining behaviors!

Follow these easy procedures to successfully introduce a kitten to an established cat colony.

8 Expert Tips to Help You Introduce a New Kitten to Your Cat

You should take into consideration your present cat’s personality, age, and attitude before adding a new kitten to your family. If your cat is in the prime of her life and has a brave, outgoing attitude, she may find it interesting to have an intriguing new roommate to observe and engage in play activities with. The addition of a new kitten, on the other hand, may cause your cat to become worried and stressed if your cat is becoming older or has a reclusive attitude. Most cats will eventually accept a new kitten, but if you know your cat will be sad as a result of the new kitten, you may wish to postpone the adoption of a new kitten.

2. Introduce by scent first.

Starting with anything that smells like the kitten can help your cat get used to the idea of being around the kitten, recommends Zazie Todd, PhD, social psychologist and writer of the famous blogCompanion Animal Psychology, as well as author of ” Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy.” “Take something from the kitten’s bedding and show it to the cat,” she suggests. “After that, be certain you pamper your cat.” Todd believes that using food as a positive association can aid in the development of the relationship.

3. Provide the cats separate space at first.

Your new kitten should be kept in a separate area from your existing cat. They will be able to begin getting acclimated to one other’s aroma without having to approach each other face to face in this manner. Finally, after a few days, place the kitten in its carrier or a room with a screen door so that they may see and smell each other while in a secure environment. Don’t be concerned if your senior cat hisses, yowls, and flees as you approach (some cats can be drama queens). Eventually, your cat’s curiosity will win out, and he will begin to approach the kitten once more.

4. Infuse calming influences.

The introduction phase can be made easier by utilizing a pheromone spray to relax both cats throughout the transition period. To Todd, “there is evidence that pheromones are effective in promoting cat socialization.” She suggests the Feliway Multicat diffuser, which has been shown to reduce cat anxiety.

5. Be patient.

Introduce your kitten to your cat slowly and methodically rather than hurriedly. Cats are creatures of habit, and they may be offended by the introduction of a young feline at first, but things will usually work out in the end. It is your responsibility to maintain your composure and optimism, and never attempt to push the animals together before they are ready.

6. Feed your kitten at the same time.

Feeding your cats at the same time from opposite sides of the screen or kitten carrier may be a good idea. Your elder cat will come to link the new kitten with a positive experience as a result of this behavior.

7. Give your kitten her own litter box.

Always make sure that your new kitten has his or her own litter box, food and water bowls, and that they are separate from where your current cat eats and goes to the bathroom.

Todd believes that kittens and cats should be given their own space and belongings. It’s less likely that there will be disagreements if each animal has its own meals and restroom facilities.

8. Know when to play referee.

Always make sure that your new kitten has his or her own litter box, food and water bowls, and that they are apart from where your present cat eats and eliminates. Todd believes that kittens and cats need have their own personal space and belongings to keep them happy and healthy. Disagreements are less likely to occur if each animal has its own meal and restroom facilities.

Introducing a New Kitten to Your Cat

“Please introduce yourself to your new sister!” The arrival of a new kitten into the family is a joyous and exciting occasion for the entire family, especially the children. with the exception of your present cat, of course! It doesn’t matter how kind and affectionate your present cat is; she’s still a cat, and as such, she’s innately territorial and conscious of her position in a tight social pecking order. The introduction of a charming ball of fluff into her environment has the potential to cause a variety of undesirable reactions.

There will be discomfort due to the fact that cats are very picky about the hygiene of their own bathroom facilities.

However, with a little forethought, sound psychology, and thoughtful thinking, you can assist to make the process of introduction relatively stress-free and lay the groundwork for the kind of camaraderie and companionship that makes being a ‘two-cat family’ such a pleasure.

Step 1: prepare your home

Preferably, before your new kitten arrives at your house, take a new toy or blanket to the breeder’s or pet store and have some of your new cat’s fragrance rubbed into the item before returning it. Allow your existing cat to grow acquainted with this by leaving it lying around the house for a while. At the time of their first meeting, she will recognize the aroma as something that is not dangerous. For the first few days, set aside an area (a spare bedroom or the utility room) for the new kitten to live in, complete with a water dish, food dish, toys and bedding for her to sleep in.

Step 2: let them get to know each other’s scent

Keep your existing cat separated in a separate room, also surrounded by her favorite things, on the day of the arrival of the new cat. Bring the new kitten inside the house, give her a brief tour to get her used to her new surroundings, and then put her in her own room. You should only allow the resident cat to come out of her room at this point (but make sure she is kept apart from the kitten). Allow her to sniff your hands, which are now scented with the kitten’s aroma, and then offer her goodies to comfort her and help her make the connection between the new smell and ‘positive things occurring.’ Over the course of the first few days, gradually integrate the kitten’s fragrance into the home by switching food bowls and bedding with the other pets.

Allow them to independently explore the other’s area as soon as they are both comfortable with each other’s smell, but keep them apart until they are comfortable doing so.

Step 3: finally, allow them to meet

The most appropriate moment to introduce yourself is during a meal, when the urge for food will outweigh all other distractions. Expect some snarling and hissing when they meet for the first time; this is a typical aspect of their establishing their own positions within the hierarchy. Make sure you have a blanket handy in case a full-fledged battle breaks out between the two of them. Your thorough preparations, on the other hand, should ensure that by this point, they have become familiar enough with one another that they can coexist for a few minutes over supper.

Step 4: build on your success and treat them both equally

Separate them immediately following their first mealtime together and keep them apart until their next mealtime, gradually increasing the amount of time they spend together. During their time together, distribute rewards, affection, and attention evenly amongst them in order to not only develop pleasant associations, but also to emphasize that there is no bias on their part. Remember that, as the ‘leader of the pack,’ it is not your obligation to arbitrate between them or choose who should be regarded as the ‘top cat’ – they will naturally work this out between themselves.

Everyone adores an adorable kitten, and one of the pleasures of having a second cat is the opportunity to make a big deal about the new addition to the family.

And it is a formula for a very contented two-cat household!

The Do’s and Don’ts of Introducing Cats to Each Other

The fact is that cats are extremely territorial creatures, as we all know. Despite this, whenever the question of introducing two cats came up throughout the years, I would repeatedly hear people say, “Just put them in the same room and they’ll figure it out.” Is it possible for it to function on occasion? Sure, but it’s cat Russian Roulette; they could figure out who loses an eyeball just as often as they figure out who doesn’t. However, they will not miraculously figure out how to be friends.

Follow this time-tested, step-by-step protocol to the letter if you want to offer yourself and your cats the best chance of a successful integration.

How to Introduce Cats

Step One– Preparation: Meals on the Schedule and Basecamp Before you bring your new cat home, there are a few important things you should do to offer yourself a major advantage in the process. These are as follows: If you already have a cat, make sure you have turned her over to a pattern of meal feeding rather than free-feeding her. A.No free-feeding. When it comes to my method, this notion is fundamental, and nowhere is it more crucial than throughout the introduction phase. Once these planned meal times are established, it will provide the ground for both your existing cat and your newcomer to experience a shared, ceremonial way of being: they will both be fed at the same time, x number of times per day, for the foreseeable future.

A separate Base Camp (as well as the obligatory isolation phase) – In your house, a cat’s base camp is a specified region that serves as the core of the cat’s territory.

This might be the master bedroom or a second bedroom, an office, or even the bathroom if there is no other alternative available to the homeowner.

As long as the human fragrance is strong, it will aid the cat in establishing a sense of belonging by mixing odours with other animals. Also included are a few other critical components of a good base camp routine, which include the following:

• Keep lots of “fragrance soakers” at their base camp since cats are highly attracted to the scent of their surroundings. Fragrance soakers are soft materials that absorb a cat’s scent and, in essence, indicate “I live here,” while also allowing for rubbing, scratching, and sleeping in the item. Everything from beds to blankets to carpets to cardboard scratchers to scratches posts are good smell absorbers.

• It is important to note that this integration strategy is distinguished by the fact that the new cat and the resident will not first look each other in the eyes. This is a non-negotiable requirement. At your peril, you will choose to ignore this portion of the introduction procedure.

Once your new cat has demonstrated a significant amount of comfort in his new home, it’s time to introduce him to…

• Site switching is a technique in which one cat gets to explore the territory of the other without ever having to come face to face with the other. This is also an excellent time for essential signposts such as cat trees, litter boxes, and other such items to develop a common aroma. Cats rely on smell for the majority of their communication, thus getting to know them is essential to the “getting to know you” process.

Follow this simple process for harmonious site swapping:

1. Take the newbie out of his base camp and place him in the bathroom, then close the door behind him. 2. Give permission for the resident cat to step into the newcomer’s base camp, then close the door behind him. 3. Give the newbie the opportunity to tour the remainder of the house. 4. Rinse well and repeat. And, by the way, your new cat will let you know when he’s ready to leave base camp and explore the rest of the home on his own initiative. For example, it might take anything from a few hours to many days.

• The Feeding Ritual on the “Other Side of the Door”: This feeding routine, which is all about establishing a good link between the newcomer and the existing cat, has altered through the years, but it has, for the most part, always been successful for us. What exactly is involved? Mealtime will consist of two bowls put up on opposite side of a closed door, which will serve as the entire meal. These bowls should be spaced far enough apart so that the cats may go up to them, eat, and then walk away without encountering each other, but near enough so that they are aware of the presence of another cat on the other side of the door as well. Starting from there, we gradually bring the bowls closer to one other.

Here’s a video with further information: Eventually, this will bring us to a situation where…

Step Two – Visual Access

After a few weeks of being able to smell each other’s fragrance, it is time to let the cats to actually see each other. All of your hard work has resulted in predictable behavior between the two cats as well as a friendly (or at least tolerant) “scent handshake” after every meal. It is erroneous, however, to believe that they will remain as friendly after the visual aspect is added to the conversation. As an alternative, start from the beginning and reset the Challenge Line; then bring the feeding line all the way back to the beginning so that they can eat with little or no disturbance.

1. But first and foremost, you must make a decision…
2. The use of a pet gate or a screen door to introduce the cats has proven to be the most effective method in my experience.
3. Once you’ve decided on a method, take into consideration…
4. The “Raising the Curtain” approach – This technique is similar to the one used in the movie “Raising the Curtain.” Make use of clothespins to put a blanket over that gate or drape a blanket over the screen (or, perhaps less effectively, a cracked door).
5. The curtain enables you to begin with the bare minimum of visual access possible to begin with.
6. Step Three–Eat, Play, and Fall in Love The goal here is to bring both cats into a room together, without any form of barrier, and maintain things as amicable as possible for increasing amounts of time as the experiment continues.
7. In order to facilitate the ultimate positive association, you should arrange for both cats to co-exist in a room together.
8. Never forget that bringing both cats into a common place without providing them with anything to do is the worst thing you can do for any type of in-person/no boundaries introduction.
9. When introducing cats during the Eat Play Love period, it’s important to pay attention to the environment and be prepared to respond immediately if any warning signals appear.

As a result, it’s critical for you to have a strategy in place in case disagreement arises, and it’s perfectly OK if it does. Here’s a checklist to help you feel more prepared in the event that anything unexpected happens.

1. When it comes to fights, the pursuit is generally the first thing that takes place. Chasing ends up in a room, a closet, behind a bed, or under a piece of furniture that you never imagined would be big enough for one cat, much alone two. When it comes to regulating chaos, one must first manage the space—and this means closing up the Underworld and shutting off the Outlands

1. Prepare Your Sight Blockers Ahead of Time: This item is used to direct someone out of a room and it is something that does the following: In order to prevent the cats from seeing through it, it must be substantial enough that you can set it between them and they will not be able to bust through it, and it must be high enough that you will not be need to bend down to place it between them.

1. Using a blanket as a last resort removal option can be useful in the event of a significant lockdown, when you are unable to coax the cats out of their hiding places even with the Sight Blockers down, or when a fight breaks out despite your best efforts. Basically, just throw it over one of them and scoop him up to get rid of him from the room.

A. How It Works – The gist of the Eat, Play, Love (EPL) philosophy is rather straightforward: When you introduce one cat into a room where there is already another cat engaged in a high-value, completely engrossed activity, you are creating a conflict. And your goal is to keep them engaged for as long as possible with goodies, positive reinforcement, play, and… well… love—all while avoiding the dreaded staredown/throwdown scenario from occurring. I recommend that you work with a partner to help you through the process: 1.Begin with One Cat: Begin by playing with only one cat in the room to get a feel for the situation.

• 2.Invite the Other Cat: Have your lover casually bring the other cat into the room and instantly engage him in conversation.
• A perfect world would be one in which you would bring your cat into the space with whichever food or toy they like the most.
• 3.Keep the “Rhythm” Going: This is where your partner’s assistance is crucial, since he or she can strive to keep the other cat focused on the session while you work to keep your cat focused on the session.
• It goes without saying that you would choose the latter option over the former every time.
• From there, you may remove the door/gate barrier for lunchtime and conclude the session by feeding the cats on the side of the room that they are currently occupying (if applicable).
• Check out my latest book, Total Cat Mojo, for more more information on the Cat-to-Cat Introduction procedure, including an entire chapter dedicated to it.

• In terms of how it works, Eat, Play, Love (EPL) may be summed up in a few words. The cats are already engaged in an activity of great value and total engrossment in the room in which you are bringing one cat in. And your goal is to keep them engaged for as long as possible with goodies, positive reinforcement, play, and… well… love—all while avoiding the dreaded staredown or throwdown. In order to make the process easier, I recommend working with a partner. 1 – Begin with Just One Cat: Begin by playing with only one cat in the room to get a feel for the environment. Keep her interested and moving by rewarding her with sweets or by giving her a toy 2.Bring in the Other Cat: Have your companion casually bring in the other cat and instantly engage him in conversation. A perfect world would be one in which you would bring your cat into the room with whichever food or toy they enjoy most. The most essential thing to remember when bringing the cats together is to develop and sustain a rhythm of play as soon as they enter the room. In this situation, your partner’s assistance is quite useful, as he or she may strive to keep the other cat focused on the session while you work to keep yours focused on the session. Fourth, we will bring the session to a close in one of two ways: either the cats will do so, or we as humans will do so. It goes without stating that you would choose the latter option over the former in every circumstance. The last goal for Eat, Play, Love is to feel confident in the program—to be able to complete EPL without feeling the need to quit it early, and to have it become a ritual that has become a part of your daily routine—then you are pretty well done with the program, congrats. From there, you may remove the door/gate barrier for lunchtime and conclude the session by feeding the cats on the side of the room that they are occupying at the moment. Although it is only a brief summary, as the title says. Check out my latest book, Total Cat Mojo, for more more information on the Cat-to-Cat Introduction procedure, including a full chapter on it. Please read the following link for further information on similar topics:

5 Tips for Introducing a Kitten to Adult Cats

Approximately 3 minutes of reading time There’s nothing quite like the infusion of new life and enthusiasm that a kitten brings into your household! If you generally adopt adult cats, introducing a kitten to your household may be a fantastic adventure that will infuse your home with a spirit of play and happiness. If you already have multiple cats in your home, you’ll want to make sure that the introduction of your kitten is as stress-free and seamless as possible – for both your kitten and the other cats in your home, as well as yourself.

Slow and Easy

This is usually a good tip to follow when introducing a cat to someone. It is also important to consider safety when adopting a kitten because kittens are tiny and might quickly injure themselves if placed in an unfamiliar environment or amid larger, more powerful cats. Isolate the kitten in a tiny space that is devoid of hazards and locations where it may fall. As a result, the only accessible area for our new cat was a bedroom, which I made into a floor mattress to minimize the possibility of the kitten falling out of bed.

1. Stimulation may be provided through the use of safe cat toys and your personal presence.
2. Of course, you should supply him with the necessities such as a litter box that he can easily get into and out of, a scratching post, hiding places, food, and water, among other things.
3. In a household with many cats, the variables include a variety of distinct cat personalities.
4. I didn’t expose the kitten to all five cats at the same time; instead, I planned it so that the kitten might meet one or two cats at a time, depending on the situation.
5. As with any introduction, it’s best to start slowly.
6. Then I’ll place the kitten in a room, carefully contained in a carrier, and let one or two of the other cats take a quick look at him before releasing him.
7. Keep an eye out for signals that your kitten and cats are getting ready to spend more time together.

Assuming he has undergone a medical examination and is okay to be around your other cats, you should proceed with the introductions.

Empty Mind, Beginner’s Mind

My suspicions were confirmed when I brought the kitten home, and I realized that two of my five cats might be a problem. I was concerned that they might injure or kill the cat. These were erroneous assumptions, but you should be prepared for anything. In one instance, a kitten and an adult cat (who had previously been wild) proved to be excellent friends. They were constantly engaged in play, and the adult had all of the patience in the world for the kitten’s seemingly limitless energy.

Let Teaching Happen

There’s nothing more endearing than seeing an experienced cat instruct a kitten on how to act properly. Kitty kittens are full of activity, and if your elder cats are well-behaved and safe, they’ll be able to educate your kitten the difference between what is good and wrong. My kitten was abandoned by his mother very immediately, thus he never had any early instruction in good conduct from her. My mature cats, on the other hand, rose to the occasion. They patiently endured his non-stop playing and wrestling, and they were quick to tell the cat when enough was enough.

Fortunately, my kitten has learnt not to bite and now understands that it is acceptable to roughhouse with some of the other cats but not with humans.

Escape Plans in Place

When the kitten gets too much for your cats, they will want a safe haven to retreat to. According to the kitten’s size, this may be steps, a wall or ceiling, a counter top, or even an entirely different room. Allow your elder cats to take a break if the kitten becomes too much for them to handle. Also provide a safe haven for the kitten in the event that other cats are threatening or hostile against him.

Spread the Love

When the kitten gets too much for your cats, they’ll need a safe haven to retreat to. According to the kitten’s size, this may be steps, a wall or ceiling, a counter top, or even an entirely different space. When the kitten gets too much for your adult cats, give them a rest. Also provide a safe haven for the kitten in the event that other cats are threatening to him.

Catherine Holm is the award-winning author of cat fantasy fiction and cat-themed memoir. She lives in Vermont with her husband and five well-loved cats. Learn about her work atwww.catherineholm.com.

Published on the 8th of July, 2019.

5 Steps to Introducing a New Kitten to Your Resident Cat

“My cat would love to have a kitten to play with!” Well… it’s possible. Cats are territorial creatures, and while your local cat may seem relaxed back and friendly, all cats are territorial. Introducing a little, energetic fluffball to your household may cause panic, jealousy, moodiness, aggressiveness, and other unpleasant behaviors in your existing cat, depending on his or her temperament. Follow these five actions to make everyone’s stress levels lessened:

Step 1: Prepare your resident cat before the kitten arrives

A kitten to play with is something my cat is looking forward to. That’s possible, I suppose. The fact is that all cats are territorial, even if your resident cat is relaxed back and good-natured.

In your resident cat, the addition of a little, energetic fluffball may result in panic, jealousy, irritability, aggressiveness, and other undesirable characteristics. Take the following five strategies to reduce stress levels for everyone:

Step 2: Prepare your home before the kitten arrives

It’s tempting to put the new kitten and the current cat in the same room and let them have it out with each other. Please don’t do that! Both cats require some time to become used to the other’s presence before meeting in person (or, more accurately, “in cat”). They also require a secure haven to which they may withdraw when they are feeling overwhelmed. Prepare distinct areas for each cat that can be closed off from the rest of the house to ensure their safety. It is possible that a utility room, office, extra bedroom, or bathroom will suffice.

Step 3: Introduce your cats by scent

Because fragrance plays a significant role in your cats’ communication, it’s critical to establish a favorable “scent” relationship between the two cats before they meet in person. Place your resident cat in a separate room with its favorite items on the day your kitten is due to be delivered (see Step 2). Make a point of showing your cat about the house before settling the kitten into its own private room. You may now let your resident cat to leave its enclosure. Toss some kitten-scented snacks into your cat’s bowl and let her smell your hands and clothes.

This video provides useful hints on how to educate your cats to “scent” one other and interact with one another.

Step 4: Create a socially distanced meet-and-greet

As soon as your cat and kitten have been acclimated to each other’s odors, allow them to view each other via a pet gate or a screen door, or enable them to sniff underneath the door of the other cat’s “safe room.” Place their food bowls on each side of a closed door when they are eating (not too close together at first). Each cat will be able to detect the presence of another cat on the opposite side of the door as a result of this. After both cats have learned to behave properly while they are in close proximity to one another, you can allow them to meet.

Step 5: Informally introduce your kitten and cat

When it appears that both cats are ready to meet face to face, without a barrier between them, bring one cat into the room and engage it in active play and/or treat-based training. Bring in another person to assist you in bringing in the other cat and ensuring that both cats are treated equally. Examine each cat’s body language carefully for warning indicators such as hissing, growling, arching the back of their necks, trembling, antagonistic movements, and signs of distress. Prepare with blankets in case one cat becomes hostile and you need to swiftly and quietly separate them..

As the cats’ tolerance and acceptance of one another grows, you may progressively increase the amount of time they spend together.

Pounces, running, rolling, batting, hiding, pursuing, and fighting for toys and attention are all examples of normal, non-aggressive play.

The introduction procedure will take at least a week – and maybe much more – depending on the temperaments of the cats involved.

Be patient with your kitten and cat as they learn to get along with one another. Reward them when they exhibit acceptable conduct. It is hoped that your kittens would establish mutual regard and friendship in the near future, maybe even developing into lifetime companions.

7 Tips to Introduce a Kitten to an Older Cat

You’ve decided to expose your older, wiser kitten to a cute new ball of fluff. What do you think? The following points should be considered prior to initiating any introductions: your cats may be territorial and may not instantly accept a new and unfamiliar cat into their habitat. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to alleviate any tension and make introductions more fun for everyone!

Before you make any kitty introductions.

There are several things to consider before bringing a second cat into your house, including whether or not bringing in a new kitten is the best option. Be mindful of the fact that cats are typically lonely creatures, and it may be frightening to see a new exuberant feline approaching their territory or crawling under the sofa to play hide and seek with them, especially if your current cat is older. If you decide to bring in a new pet, avoid making their initial interaction with you upsetting!

Is your new pussycat going to be a lap cat or will she be a self-sufficient feline?

When playing, your new bundle of joy may be quite animated, or he or she may choose to sit back and observe all of the shenanigans taking place!

7 Tips to Introduce a Kitten to an Older Cat

When the big day arrives and you bring your kitten home, it may be tempting to introduce the two kittens at the same time, but resist the temptation! It is critical to keep both cats apart for a period of time so that they may become used to the scent of the new cat. Making different, separate places for each cat in the house is an excellent method to accomplish this goal effectively. Make sure you have everything you’ll need for each kitten, including toys, a bed, a litter box, and food bowls, in advance.

2. Introduce your cats by smell first

Encourage your older cat to spend some time in a separate room while you acclimate your new kitten to his or her new environment. Your new kitten will rapidly pick up on the odors in the house and realize that there is another feline in the house with him or her. When you’re finished, you may change them over, enabling the older cat to roam about and get a whiff of the new kitten. Remember you praise and treat both cats as they adjust to the fact that there is a “new child on the neighborhood.”another “kit on the block”!

3. Let them see each other

The second step in introducing your kitties is to make eye contact with them! Before allowing your four-legged buddies to roam free in the same room, divide them with a screen or a gap in the doorway.

Gentle introductions are recommended; when they are acquainted with one other, they will sniff noses or rub up against the door frame. The time has come for them to finally meet face to face!

4. Support a calm, patient introduction

Always maintain as much calm and patience as possible when your dogs are ready to meet face to face! Keep in mind that your resident cat will need to learn to share their territory with the new kitten as well as accept the new kitten. Older cats may also be less tolerant, so early introductions should be brief before gradually increasing the amount of time the cats spend together over time. On the other hand, the new kitten may be quite timid and eager to explore, regardless of how the current cat feels about it!

Be prepared to intervene if they begin to fight, since there may be hissing at first.

5. Give treats

Don’t be shocked if your cats aren’t immediately attracted to one another. These items take time to complete! You may use incentives to enhance bonding, and you can encourage play when they behave peacefully and appear to be enjoying one other’s presence. Make a point of petting and praising your senior cat more frequently at this period. Assure them that they are not being replaced, but rather that they are being provided with a new buddy!

6. Watch how your pets react

Even if your pets appear to be getting along well with one another, keep an eye on them because there is no assurance that your cats will connect right away. Keep an eye out for indicators of tension and anxiety, such as decreased hunger, hiding for extended periods of time, vocalizing, antagonistic acts, or other strange characteristics that persist for more than a few days. These signs may indicate that additional investigation is necessary. Senior cats may respond in a variety of ways, including resting in unexpected areas and not eating and drinking as they should.

In addition, it’s crucial to double-check that your elder cat’s feeding and drinking habits haven’t altered – senior cats are prone to dehydration, and with a new feline companion joining their territory, they may not be drinking as frequently as they were previously.

7. Keep to a schedule to minimise stress

Cats are big fans of routine! Maintaining a plan for your pet’s playtime, eating time, and sleep time will assist him or her in navigating this adjustment. Just because your resident cat gets a new partner does not mean that her schedule should be altered. It will be easier for your new kitten to adjust if you maintain your current routine, and it will reduce the stress of change for your existing cat.

Support Your Pets With FELIWAY

Feline communication is aided by the usage of FELIWAYCLASSIC, which is one of the most effective communication tools available. FELIWAYCLASSICsends odorless “happy” signals to your new kitten, which can help them feel more comfortable, safe, and calm in their new environment.

In order to offer continual comfort to the kitten, you can spray FELIWAY CLASSIC onto a clean piece of cloth or bedding and leave it in the kitten’s room overnight.