So, you read somewhere that introducing a new kitten into your home could be great for your existing cat, for companionship. And you remember how much fun your cat was when she was a new kitten, and you would love to re-live those days.
It is generally thought that cats thrive better with the company of another feline, especially cats confined indoors. But before you rush off to your local cat shelter or breeder, here are a few tips to make bringing home a new kitten as stress free as possible.
Choose a time when your home is not too busy and you will have time to devote to your new kitty and your existing cat, avoid holidays, for example, or other times when friends and family are likely to visit.
Before bringing home the new kitten, take her to your veterinarian to get her checked and vaccinated, kittens have weak immune systems and are likely to pick up something at the shelter or cattery. Consider adopting a cat of the opposite sex to your existing cat, this will avoid same sex rivalry and associated problems. For a number of reasons all your cats must be spayed/neutered.
If possible arrange to bath your new kitten at a friends house before you take it home, this will neutralize kitty's odor, and go some way to prevent unsettling your cat.
A short isolation period is necessary when introducing a new kitten. It would be ideal to have a separate room for the new kitten, your new little pet will need her own litter box, and food and water bowl. Some kittens will hide out under furniture for some days, more adventurous ones will be eager to explore their new home almost straight away. Do not try and force kitty to leave the room, you will know when she is ready.
Allow your new kitten to explore around your home while your older cat is in another room. Make the introduction, slowly, bit by bit, it is a good idea to let your existing cat sniff your new kitten's blanket a few times before they actually meet. Make the initial periods of contact short. Gradually increase the time that they spend together as they get used to one another. It is not unusual for there to be a few spats in these first meetings, so do not leave them alone together until they get on. If a fight does break out, distract the combatants and get them into separate rooms as soon as possible, never punish either cat.
The process of introducing a new kitten to an older cat, can often be relatively stress free and need not be full of problems. The key is in making the introduction slowly, and perhaps the best tip of all is to give your older cat just as much attention and affection as you give the newcomer.
Before you know it you will have two cats that thrive on each others company.
Copyright 2004 best-cat-art.com
About The Author
If you have a pet related web site and you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and live link to http://www.best-cat-art.com/cat-breeds.html. Cat art posters, art prints, cat calendars and cat collectibles. Great cat gifts for yourself or your cat loving friends.
Show an uninformed dog lover a photo of a Westie,... Read More
When it comes to the art of giving, a gift... Read More
Let's take a look at the different stages, but before... Read More
A poorly trained dog is a nuisance and can even... Read More
Nervous cats hide from people, they do not readily present... Read More
Chihuahua Training is Easy! You may be wondering if Chihuahua... Read More
My two therapy dogs, Nikki and Benny, bring joy to... Read More
A puppy wanting to chew makes you want to scream!... Read More
Cats are becoming increasingly popular as pets these days, and... Read More
As much as you may love your cute, new puppy,... Read More
Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a... Read More
Mistake #7 ? Assuming You Can Get On Any Horse... Read More
Continued from part two.Epilepsy/seizure disorderWhen your Boxer is between 2... Read More
Guide for training a dogSo you can use a guide... Read More
Flea control can be a very hard thing to do... Read More
Pets can enjoy the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy as much... Read More
Let's say you've made up your mind on the breed... Read More
A former coworker has a dog that had begun itching... Read More
Having a pet is an experiance that I think everyone... Read More
My love of horses began at the age of 11... Read More
Everybody loves a baby animal and Westie puppies are adorable,... Read More
Vaccinations play an important part in the preventive healthcare of... Read More
If you have never seen a Shar Pei before, the... Read More
Dog fashions are all the rage and have become quite... Read More
Losing your cat is a worrying experience, use these 'How... Read More
It is always sad when a beloved animal family member... Read More
Glassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear to... Read More
German Shepherds were among the first dogs trained for police... Read More
Five years ago this August a funny little puppy came... Read More
While a bird is an easy pet to care for,... Read More
How many times have I hear fellow dog owners say,... Read More
1. Accidents and medical emergencies in the home happen frequently.... Read More
Just like children, westie puppies learn through play. Playing games... Read More
For most West Highland White Terrier owners, the dog is... Read More
As we love to have a comfortable place to sleep... Read More
Attempting to train your dog to walk on a leash... Read More
Your cat scratching at your furniture can not only leave... Read More
Interacting with a pet bird outside of it's cage is... Read More
When you get a puppy, one of the first things... Read More
If there is an art to getting horses to load... Read More
What's the best food for your Goldfish?Goldfish need food that... Read More
Scientific Name: Botia macracanthus Other Scientific Name(s): Cobitis macracanthus, Botia... Read More
HistoryThroughout the US and in many parts of the world,... Read More
There is a dangerous problem that horse owners should be... Read More
If you have ever tried to take a picture of... Read More
Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier,... Read More
Some people say they are exclusively "cat people," meaning they... Read More
Just south of Snowdon, in the grey-stoned village of Beddgelert... Read More
Are you just starting to research the BARF diet for... Read More
When I had a Toy Poodle, I used a small... Read More
I am a happy owner of two rat terriers. They... Read More
How many times have you seen this situation where a... Read More
Dog eye problems can occur at any time. You should... Read More
While a bird is an easy pet to care for,... Read More
One of the cutest looking dogs around is the Lhasa... Read More
Trying to decide if you should get insurance on your... Read More
Your new living room furniture is in tatters. Your nerves... Read More
The pet food industry, a billion-dollar, unregulated operation, feeds on... Read More
Because it is imperative that discus fish have optimal water... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you need to do... Read More
Which kind is your pet? The pooch who is the... Read More
The cat population is astronomical. Most experts agree that average... Read More
My love of horses began at the age of 11... Read More
Many people don't realize that their dogs, just like human... Read More
This mysterious cat is originally from the country of Siam,... Read More
Puppies can be so exasperating! They know what we want,... Read More
Pet |