Introducing A New Kitten Into A Home That Already Has A Cat
By Tara Yen
You are reading the newspaper in the morning and you come across an advertisement for 6-week-old kittens. You're first thought is: "Oh, I want one!" but how will you're other cat that has lived with you for years react to this new intruder? Here are some tips on how to deal with your older cat, and newer cat.
After picking out which kitten you want, you think of a closed off place where the kitten can spend it's first night. Put a litter box in the area you have decided as well as food, water, and a soft blanket for kitty to curl up on. Take a bath towel and rub it on your cat that you already own. This puts your cat's smell on the towel. When you are ready to take your new kitten home, rub the towel on the kitten so that when the meeting time comes, your cat can smell itself on the intruder. You can put your kitten in a carrier, of just carry it in the towel. When you get home, go directly to the enclosed area. Allow the kitten and the cat to sniff each other under the door. Let it spend a few nights in the area, and then carry it out so it can see the rest of the house. Then bring it back to it's area and let it spend another night there.
Next day:
It is time to introduce "kitten" to "cat"! Again bring the kitten out and set it directly in the litter box. Let it come out by itself and let your older cat see the new kitten. Let the kitten roam about, keeping an eye on it and your older cat. Let your cat spend another night in it's area and the next night leave the door open to the rest of the house. Your cats will gradually get used to each other. If your older cat is a girl, she may "adopt" your new kitten, and act like it's mother.
Have fun with your new kitten!
Tara J. Yen is the youngest daughter of David and Annette Yen, and enjoys making toys and playing games to amuse her happy cat, Scamper, of whom she is the happy owner.