{"id":1656,"date":"2019-03-01T22:19:37","date_gmt":"2019-03-01T22:19:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kitnipbox.com\/meow\/?p=1656"},"modified":"2023-02-15T18:49:04","modified_gmt":"2023-02-15T18:49:04","slug":"introduce-a-new-cat-to-a-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kitnipbox.com\/meow\/index.php\/2019\/03\/01\/introduce-a-new-cat-to-a-home\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Introduce A Kitten To A Cat In 3 Easy Phases"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Introduce a New Cat to a Home With An Existing One<\/b><\/h2>\n

When it comes to cat ownership, one of the most challenging things can be <\/span>how to introduce a kitten <\/b>to a cat in a <\/span>new home<\/span><\/a>. Although it may be stressful for you, it\u2019s likely even more so for your current cat and your new furry friend.\u00a0 Fortunately, there are ways to make the process easier for everyone involved.\u00a0 One of the most effective methods when <\/span>introducing a new kitten to a cat<\/b> is the tried-and-true three-step approach of separation, visual access, and physical contact.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although it may not work in all situations, most veterinarians and pet psychologists agree that this is one of the best ways to i<\/span>ntroduce an older cat to a kitten<\/b> joining the home. Keep reading to find out <\/span>how to introduce cats<\/b> that will be sharing your home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how it works\u2026<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Phase 1: Separation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Unfortunately, you can\u2019t just plop your <\/span>new kitty<\/span><\/a> down and say welcome to the family! When <\/span>introducing a kitten to a cat, <\/b>your existing cat\u2019s territorial instincts will kick in, and will likely freak out. This would also cause the new cat to feel <\/span>anxious and uncomfortable<\/span><\/a> due to the new surroundings.\u00a0 Suffice it to say, it\u2019s likely not going to end well.<\/span><\/p>\n

The best way to<\/span> introduce a kitten to a cat <\/b>is to do so in stages, and that starts with separation.\u00a0 Choose an area in the home that is strictly for your new cat\u2026 A spare room, a den, or an area in the corner of a larger room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

In this area, you should have <\/span>toys<\/span><\/a>, a scratching pad or post, a litter box, water, snacks, and perhaps a place to hide.\u00a0 This gives your new cat a place of his own where he can feel safe and comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n

During this time it\u2019s okay, and even beneficial if the two cats are able to smell, as well as hear each other. When <\/span>introducing a kitten to a cat<\/b> you already have at home<\/span>, <\/b>scent is a huge part you can use to your advantage as it is used by cats to communicate, define their territory and learn about other cats.<\/span><\/p>\n

So having the two cats in close proximity, e.g. on either end of a closed door, is a good idea at this stage.\u00a0 It\u2019s also important to help both animals associate positive feelings with this proximity. Giving them treats or playing with them will go a long way toward <\/span>fostering an amicable relationship<\/span><\/a> between the two cats.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Introducing a kitten to older cats<\/b> shouldn\u2019t be a big hurdle! Once your new cat seems comfortable and both cats are aware of each other\u2019s presence, you can allow each cat to familiarize himself with the other\u2019s environment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Place your original cat in the new cat\u2019s domain and let the new cat explore the rest of the house.\u00a0 Each will pick up on various scents of the other, and leave their own in various places. \u00a0This is an important last step of Phase 1, setting the stage for Phase 2.<\/span><\/p>\n

Phase 2: Visual Access<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After both cats have done their fair share of exploring, it\u2019s time to implement Phase 2 — Visual Access.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019re allowing the cats to see each other for the first time.\u00a0 When you <\/span>introduce cat to kitten, <\/b>assuming everything went well with Phase 1, this should be a fairly seamless transition.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can accomplish this with an infant gate, a slightly open door, or any other means of letting them see but not touch.<\/span><\/p>\n

During this time, just as in the latter part of Phase 1, you should make this visual access a positive experience for both cats, by feeding and playing with them while they are in close proximity.<\/span><\/p>\n

If this appears to be going well and both cats seem to be \u201ccool\u201d with each other, you can safely move on to Phase 3.<\/span><\/p>\n

Phase 3: Physical Contact<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Congratulations, you\u2019ve managed to <\/span>introduce a kitten to a cat<\/b> in your home\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You can create some distance at first by separating their feeding dishes or using other means to ease them into interaction. Don\u2019t force the issue as that will likely backfire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, there may be hissing, spitting, or other negative behaviors, and since they are able to interact now you need to let them know that is unacceptable. \u00a0You can separate them or try to distract them with a toy, but scolding is not recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to give them plenty of time to feel each other out and get used to the idea of the other one being around.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hopefully, they will soon become best friends; sharing your lap, the couch, or a special spot on your bed. \u00a0Or perhaps they will simply tolerate each other, and that\u2019s okay too!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How to Introduce a New Cat to a Home With An Existing One When it comes to cat ownership, one of the most challenging things can be how to introduce a kitten to a cat in a new home. Although…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":1669,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[192,82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cat-health","category-cat-how-to"],"yoast_head":"\nHow To Introduce A Kitten To A Cat In 3 Easy Phases | KitNipBox<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to introduce a cat to cat litter so that a kitten or even an older cat can use the cat litter in a litter box.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitnipbox.com\/meow\/index.php\/2019\/03\/01\/introduce-a-new-cat-to-a-home\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta 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