How to introduce a kitten to an older cat (so they become best friends)

You’ve loved being a cat parent so much that you’ve decided to grow your feline family and bring a new kitten into your home. Trust us, you aren’t the only one who has made this (brilliant) decision. But where do you begin, to make sure your cat accepts a newcomer and the relationship gets off to the best start? Cats are generally solitary creatures, preferring their own company. But that’s not to say they can’t live peacefully with other cats or dogs. Provided their needs are met and they’re given plenty of space, cats are usually quite accepting of newcomers – and some even become besties. Worry not! This article will cover everything you need to know on how to introduce a kitten to a cat so there are purrs – not hisses – all round. What to know before introducing a kitten to an older cat Introducing a kitten to an older cat is easier than with two adult cats. Kittens are not as threatening to cats as fully-grown adults are. Kittens are smaller and not sexually mature and so older cats generally accept them more easily. Kittens are used to being part of a family group, so they’re familiar with cat communication. For example, their mother would have reprimanded them if they over-stepped the mark and were too boisterous or played too roughly, so they know that a growl means, “Back off, kid!” It’s preferable to get two kittens together, rather than one, so they can play and cuddle and grow together as companions – rather than pestering an older cat in the home. But in cases where there are an odd number of kittens in a litter, or singletons, or the kitten’s character warrants it, sometimes just one kitten needs rehoming. Again, don’t worry too much: with a little help and insight into what cats need, you’ll soon have a happy home with the kitten and older cat enjoying life together as housemates. Health and well-being First, make sure your cat is in the best health, is neutered, and is up to date with their vaccinations and worm/flea treatments. Ask yourself: are they happy and secure, with no ongoing concerns? If there are any issues, like inappropriate toileting or being bullied by a neighbourhood cat, then these need to be addressed before you even think about bringing home a kitten. The right match Second, spend some time thinking about your cat and their personal traits. A big bruiser of a former street cat is likely to clash with a male of a similar character. A tolerant, neutered female is going to be a better match. By contrast, a quiet, shy cat would prefer a quieter kitten. The bold, outgoing kitten in a litter would need a confident adult cat of the opposite sex. As with matching humans, there are no magic solutions or set rules; every cat is an individual with a myriad of traits. Be guided by the kitten’s rescue centre or breeder, and talk to them about your own cat to find the best match. Timing Thirdly, consider timing. Is now the right time to get a kitten? If you have a very elderly cat, is it fair to subject them to the upheaval? If it’s late autumn and your cat is scared of fireworks , would it be better to wait until after the New Year when they won’t have to deal with their fears on top of a newcomer? If you have an upcoming holiday in the next couple of months, it’s best to defer a kitten until after you are back. These are the sorts of questions you need to ask before bringing a new cat home. Preparing your home Your cat should already have some cosy beds and sleeping places around the home, together with a couple of litter trays in sheltered areas, some scratching/climbing posts and food and drinking bowls. A new kitten will mean adding two new litter trays, at least a couple of new beds or sleeping spots, as well as a new food and water bowl, and lots of toys! Initially, it’s a good idea to prepare a separate living space for the kitten, such as a bedroom, where they will have their bed, toys, scratching post, bowls and litter tray, and where they can settle into the new home away from any other pets. A pheromone diffuser in the kitten’s room, and close to where the older cat rests, will also help to calm any tension in the early days. It’s vital that everyone in the home is told to keep doors and windows closed, so the kitten can’t get out until they are fully vaccinated , neutered and settled. Keep a close eye on any children in case of accidental escapes. Your home should already be cat-safe, but look at it with a fresh pair of eyes. Kittens are very different creatures to sensible older cats! Kittens see fun in everything – electrical cables, plants, a toilet with the lid up – and danger in nothing, so get kitten-proofing ! How to introduce a kitten to a cat in six easy steps Step one Take it slowly! Keep the kitten in their safe room, with all their equipment, for a few days, and give them time to settle. Play with them, stroke them, and let them get to know the human members of the household. Exchange bedding between your cat and the kitten, so they start to become used to each other’s scent. Step two After a few days, once your kitten is more confident, move the food bowl close to the door, and feed your other cat the other side of the door, so they both associate the enjoyment of eating with each other’s scent. Continue for a few more days until you feel they are ready to meet face to face. Step three Next, at feeding time, move the bowls so that when the door is slightly ajar, the bowls are within sight of each other through the crack. Speak reassuringly to both cats as they approach their bowls, to maintain a sense of calm. Slowly, over the course of several days, open the door more, provided they are feeding calmly. If they are spooked, go back a step and start again. Continue until the cats are fed from bowls that are in the same room, whilst still leaving plenty of space so neither cat feels threatened. Step four You can now begin to leave the door ajar, when you are able to supervise, so the kitten can investigate the rest of the house when they feel ready – and your older cat might want to come into the kitten’s safe room. Stay calm, speak reassuringly, and be on hand to intervene if there are issues. When you are not able to supervise, shut the door, so the kitten is safe in their room and the older cat has their own space in the rest of the house. Step five Gradually, increase the length of time that the door is open until the kitten and cat are regularly in contact with each other. The first meeting is likely to be a cautious one, with both cats being a little wary of each other. They are likely to sniff and then retreat. This is perfectly normal. Hissing, too, is likely, particularly if each cat feels threatened. It’s their way of telling the other to give them space. Kittens can over-step the mark – they are often bold and playful, and if the older cat isn’t ready to play, they will tell the kitten so! Step six Give them time and space and monitor closely to ensure the two cats are being respectful and there is no fear or bullying. Provided they each have somewhere they can go to when they want ‘time-out’, all should be well. If you are concerned, separate them for a few more days, and start the introduction process again. A note on feeding An important note: kittens are fed more frequently than adult cats . Your new kitten is likely to be fed around four times a day. Take your adult cat’s daily food allocation and split it over four meals, rather than two, whilst introducing a new kitten, to avoid your cat putting on weight. Managing resources to prevent conflict When thinking about how to integrate a kitten with a cat, it’s important to think about resources, like space and food. Conflict occurs when a cat feels threatened and feels they have to fight to get something they need, or to defend what they have. If both cats have easy access to plentiful resources, harmony will prevail! Cats need: A good rule of thumb is to have one resource for each cat, plus one. So that’s three litter trays for two cats, three water bowls and so on. If there’s still conflict around a particular item then consider the location of the other resources and consider adding another. Is one cat tree preferred because it is in a strategically good location? These are things you should look into when finding the source of resource conflict. It's not always super clear! How to tell if things are going well… or badly Initially, when introducing a kitten to an older cat, there’s likely to be some uncertainty while they get used to each other. There could be some warning growling, even hissing, in the early days. Their body language will also signal their unease. When they first meet, you might see some of these signs: These are signs of an unhappy, stressed cat and they should ease quickly once the cats realise that they are safe and the other cat is not a threat. If these signs keep recurring at every meeting, things are not progressing as you’d like and it’s time to de-escalate. Go back to separating the cats and start the reintroduction more slowly, only progressing each step once both cats are relaxed and comfortable. Signs your cat is accepting the new kitten Signs your cat is accepting the new kitten include: You will know things are going very well if they start to mutually groom each other – and, eventually, sleep in the same bed. Ultimately, trust your instincts. You know your own cats and will be able to tell if they are happy or not. If, despite all your efforts, the cats are not integrating as you’d like, seek advice from a reputable, qualified behaviourist. But it’s unlikely to get this far. Most cats integrate happily if given the time, space and understanding they need. How long will the introduction process take? It depends on the individual cats, your input and your home set-up. If you have a house with plenty of space for the cats to avoid each other if they want alone time, lots of time to spend supervising the cats and working on introductions, and the cats themselves are a good match, then the process could take only a couple of weeks. But it could take longer, maybe even a month or two. Go as slowly as your adult cat needs – don’t rush the process. The full settling-in process will take longer still, where the cats are fully comfortable with other. This will take months. Some cats might become best buddies, sleeping together and grooming each other. But respectful cohabitation is more likely, where the cats live together happily but lead quite separate lives. FAQs How long does it typically take for a cat to accept a new kitten? It depends on the cats, the home and your input! It could be anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months. Should I keep my new kitten and resident cat separated at first? Absolutely! Let them both get used to each other’s scent and for the kitten to settle into their new home a little before they even set eyes on each other. The resident cat will soon realise there’s a newcomer in their home and will sniff the door of the room that the kitten is staying in and will hear them inside. Exchange their scents, by swapping their bedding, and slowly introduce them at feeding times, as outlined earlier in this article. What are signs that my cats are starting to bond? They will be relaxed in each other’s company, with calm, confident body language. Depending on the individuals, you might see some attempts to play with each other. Even much older cats can get a whole new lease of life with the arrival of a kitten and become much more playful and active. Some cats will choose to sleep near to each other or even snuggle up together – especially in colder weather. Don’t expect this, though; it’s unusual for non-family members to reach this level of closeness. How many litter boxes do I need when introducing a kitten to my cat? At least three. The cat/litter box equation is: one litter box for each cat, plus one. So one cat + one kitten + one = three litter boxes. What should I do if my resident cat is hissing at the new kitten? Don’t panic. The cat is just telling the kitten to back off. Distract the kitten away from the cat – use a toy to lure them away, or physically pick them up and remove them to a different room.

How to introduce a kitten to an older cat (so they become best friends)

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