With kitten season in full bloom, adopting and welcoming another cat into your home may have been on your mind, or you may already be in the process. You’ve found a cat that you think will match the temperament and personalities of your pets at home, but you want to make sure they feel safe and welcomed. Although some cats can do great right out of the gate with a new friend, starting the process slowly can be more helpful in the long run for starting a trusting relationship between the pets. Here are some helpful tips when looking for another cat and how to slowly introduce them into your home and with your current furry family.
Fear Free Introduction Process
The key to introducing cats as stress-free as possible is a slow process. Moving and pushing them together too quickly can cause higher stress levels and increase the chances of fights. If the pets start with negative interactions initially, it can take longer for them to trust each other and have a successful long-term introduction.
- Set up a separate room for the new cat to slowly get accustomed to your home. You want to ensure that the cat cannot see the other pets, yet.
- Allow them to get used to each other’s scent through the door or by switching out bedding.
- You want to be able to add positive interactions with each other slowly. Feed by the door or give high-value treats.
- Gradually permit them to see each other through the door, but continue to prevent them from reaching one another. Once again, strive to keep them as positive as possible. Keep it short and sweet and add up to longer moments if needed!
- Every pair of animals will be different, so watch their body language and interactions. Sometimes, these steps can go faster than with others.
Considering Age
If socialized well, kittens can be more adaptable to new situations, but can also be a lot to handle when introduced to your household. Their energetic and curious traits may be too much for less active cats wanting more peace and quiet in the house.
Kittens are also learning to interact with the world around them, including with other cats and pets. The kitten may push the older cat’s buttons, while the older cat must set boundaries and teach the kitten about appropriate play and interactions. Allowing safe spaces for all pets in the home and the kitten to escape when they might have pushed each other’s boundaries too far while learning how to interact appropriately will help make both of them feel safer during the introduction process.
Welcoming a new family member into the home can be stressful but exciting. The best way to set everyone up for success is to take it slow and steady to ensure the least amount of stress. For more tips on Fear Free introduction tips, please visit Fear Free Happy Homes for cat and dog introductions.