I mentioned in yesterday’s post that the cat situation in my and Blaine’s home could be better as of late. We rescued a feral kitten, Timmy, and despite Timmy’s best efforts to befriend our other, older cat, Lionel, Lionel is not having any of it, and the two of them haven’t necessarily gotten off to the best start.
The situation isn’t horrible, but it isn’t wonderful, either.
I wanted to see what sort of information I could find online regarding how to best go about introducing a kitten to an older cat, and today’s post is a continuation of yesterday’s; again, this information comes from us.feliway.com.
“3. Let them see each other
Step two of your cats’ introduction is visual contact! Before letting your furry friends loose in a room together, separate them by a screen or a gap in the door. Allow them to meet each other gently – when comfortable with each other they will sniff noses or rub against the door. This is your cue to let them meet face to face!
“4. Support a calm, patient introduction
When your pets are ready to meet face to face, always be as calm and patient as possible! Remember that your resident cat needs to learn to share their territory and accept the new kitten. Older cats may also be less tolerant, so introductions should be very short initially before gradually increasing their time together.
On the other hand, the new kitten might be very skittish and want to explore, regardless of what the resident cat thinks! Always keeping an eye both cat’s body language. There may be some hissing at first, but be ready to step in if they start to fight!
“5. Give treats
Don’t be surprised if your kitties don’t accept each other straight away. These things take time! To encourage bonding, you can use treats and encourage play when they act calmly and seem happy in each others company. Be sure to pet and praise your senior cat more often at this stage. Reassure them that they are not being replaced but instead are being given a new companion!
“6. Watch how your pets react
Even after your pets seem comfortable with each other, keep an eye on them – there’s no guarantee that your cats will bond immediately. Watch for signs of stress and anxiety – decreased appetite, hiding for long periods of time, vocalizing, hostile actions or any unusual traits that continue for more than a few days may need to be investigated further!
Senior cats might react by sleeping in unusual places or not eating and drinking normally. Make sure your cat can access their litter box easily and that their normal exit routes are always available. It’s also important to check that your older cat’s eating and drinking habits have not changed – senior cats are prone to dehydration, and with a new feline friend joining their territory, they may not drink as regularly as before. If you are at all concerned about your cat, it’s wise to consider speaking to your vet.
“7. Keep to a schedule to minimize stress
Cats like routine! Help your pet through this transition by keeping to a schedule for play time, feeding time and sleep time. Your resident cat’s schedule should not change just because she has a new companion. Keeping to the same routine will help your new kitty settle in, and minimize the stress of change for your resident cat,” the web page states.
Here’s hoping some of these suggestions will prove to be effective for Timmy and Lionel.
Photo by The Lucky Neko on Unsplash
ontheedgeofeverything 