Teaching Older Cats to Get Along with a New Kitten
The key to introducing an older pet with a new pet is time and patience. You cannot expect the older cat to want to be best friends with the new cat on the first day or even in the first week. Older pets will need to get used to the idea of having another pet in the house. This is especially true for a pet that is used to being the only one. Both animals will need time to feel each other out and get used to each other. While it may take weeks to make an adjustment, over time, your pets can learn to tolerate each other and live in peace.
When you bring a new cat into your home, your old pet may resent having to share their space. They may see the new pet as an intruder. You can expect some hissing and slapping at each other if you have cats. Generally, a young kitten will take to your older cat right away, but the older cat will not be very happy. The best way to integrate your new cat is to slowly introduce your pets. It is always a good idea to keep your new cat in a separate room for several days. Not only will this give your older cat the time to understand that there is a new pet in the house, it will give your new pet a chance to get used to the sounds and smells of your home without feeling intimidated.
After a couple of days, you can allow your two pets to smell each other through the doorway. Most of the time, the cats will probably hiss at each other. This is to be expected and you should not give up if this happens. How your older cat reacts will depend a lot on the cat’s personality. More outgoing cats may hiss a couple of times and be fine. Others will want to stay completely away. Some cats may even hiss every time he or she smells the new kitty, but will be so curious that they return to the door.
When you are introducing your kitten into your home and to your older cat, it will be very important to spend quality time with both pets. It may seem silly, but your older cat needs to feel secure. Your new cat needs to know you are the one that will provide him or her with love and affection. You do not want either cat to feel abandoned. If you spend time with both of your pets individually, it will help. This will give both pets a sense of importance.
After a few days of having your pets separated, you can begin to introduce them to each other with supervision. Try to make this time positive for both animals. Give lots of praise to both cats during this time. This is especially important to do when they show positive behavior towards the new kitten. Cats will probably sniff at each other and may even try to be aggressive. Talk softly to your pets to let him or her know that you are there and that you love them. If you yell or make loud noises when they are aggressive, both cats will associate each other with loud sounds. It will be unpleasant for both of them. If your pets become agitated with each other, then that means their visiting time is over. Let them return to their places alone. You can try again the next day.
After a few of these visits you can start putting your pets in a room together without interference. You should supervise, but let them explore one another one their own terms. You can also try to coincide their meeting times with meals and with play time. When you do this, it will be important to place their dishes at a distance and let them eat in the same room together. It may take several of these supervised meetings, but eventually they will learn to get along.
Now that both of your pets know that they should get along, you make sure that you provide separate litter boxes, food dishes, toys and sleeping areas for both pets. Your older cat may not always appreciate the kitten’s playfulness, so it will be important that your older cat can escape to solitude when they have had enough. Never force your pets on one another. Let them take the lead. With love and patience, you can be certain that both the kitten and the older pet will learn to live in harmony.
