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Final Up to date on: October 31, 2022 by Crystal Uys
When you’ve jumped into proudly owning a cat, it’s straightforward to need one other furry pal to maintain them firm—or just since you adore cats. We’ve all seen cute photos of cats cuddled up with one another, however introducing pets to new arrivals isn’t at all times straightforward.
You would possibly assume there are set guidelines for pairing cats. Females with different females, or males with males, or maybe a feminine with a male. Gender doesn’t play as massive a component as you would possibly assume although. Listed here are some “guidelines” that I’ve developed for pairing your present cat with the cute kitten you’re planning to undertake.
My Prime 4 Guidelines for Pairing Cats at House:
1. Related Age
It may be difficult to introduce a cat to your family at the very best of instances however a cat that’s an identical age to your resident feline can be extra prone to suit their temperament. Matching an grownup with one other grownup, for instance, would possibly assist stop an over-excited kitten from getting on an older cat’s nerves.
Nonetheless, you do have to think about that the older the cats are, the extra probably they’re to have established territory in your house to battle over.
Kittens With Kittens
The best option to pair cats in your house is by adopting two kittens from the identical litter. Kittens are probably the most adaptable to new conditions—together with assembly new mates if you happen to occur to undertake two kittens from separate litters. Adopting two kittens from the identical litter additionally ensures they’ll be aware of one another already, saving you from having to introduce them.
Two kittens may even be higher in a position to handle one another’s excessive vitality ranges than if you happen to pair a kitten with a senior cat. Kittens usually tend to play with one another reasonably than desire to calm down.
Youthful Cats
Much like kittens, younger grownup cats are often extra prone to tolerate a brand new feline pal. They could be much less inquisitive than kittens—or much less fast to befriend cats that aren’t their litter mates—however they’re typically extra accepting of recent cats. This isn’t at all times the case, so you continue to must make the right introductions to ensure your cats are suitable earlier than you formally welcome them house.
Should you do wish to introduce a brand new kitten to your cat, the youthful your resident cat is the extra probably it’s that the preliminary assembly will go properly.
Grownup Cats
Usually, the older the cat is, the much less probably they’re to just accept a brand new arrival. Grownup and senior cats have had far more time to settle into themselves and carve out their territory. They’re additionally extra prone to desire enjoyable over taking part in with an brisk kitten.
There’s additionally the chance that grownup cats have had extra unfavorable experiences with different felines. On this case, it’s unlikely they’ll take properly to having one other cat of their house. This goes for the grownup cat you wish to undertake as properly.
Whereas this doesn’t imply you may’t introduce a kitten or an grownup cat to your present cat, it is best to take further steps to make sure the preliminary assembly goes properly. Remember the fact that some grownup cats would possibly by no means be pleased with a brand new arrival and it is best to take their preferences under consideration too.
2. Character Varieties
In relation to pairing cats, their temperament is simply as essential as their age. That is the place adopting an grownup cat can generally be higher than adopting a kitten. An grownup cat could have already settled into their character and also you’ll be higher in a position to see in the event that they’re energetic, laid-back, or aggressive towards different cats.
It’s just like how two kittens are sometimes extra suited to one another’s vitality ranges than a kitten and a senior cat are. In case your resident cat is happier napping all day as a substitute of taking part in, they’ll be much less prone to get pleasure from having an odd kitten pounce on them each time they cross paths. Equally, a timid cat could be too cautious of a extra assured cat to type a bond.
3. Male or Feminine?
No person really is aware of whether or not it’s higher to companion feminine cats with different females, males with males, or pair a male with a feminine. When all is alleged and accomplished, it’s the age and personalities of the cats you’re introducing that play the most important half in a budding friendship or catastrophe.
Feminine cats might be simply as aggressive as males, whereas Felines might be surprisingly timid. In relation to their character, neutering doesn’t at all times change each side of their temperament. Whereas it’s going to interrupt the extra hormone-driven conduct and it may be mentioned that neutered males are friendlier typically, neutering won’t make them friendlier towards different cats.
Ultimately, the selection between female and male cats is a part of your private desire greater than a desire cats have for one another.
4. Well being
Introducing a new cat to your resident feline is at all times anxious, even when your present cat is easy-going and younger sufficient to adapt simply. Cats like routine greater than anything and a brand new arrival will trigger stress by interrupting their traditional day-to-day actions, it’s inevitable.
Most wholesome cats will adapt to their new companion, particularly if you happen to make certain the cats are suitable and introduce them correctly. Nonetheless, in case your cat is older, injured, or sick, the stress would possibly make their well being worse. In case your cat is getting on in years or has a medical drawback, it’s greatest if you happen to forgo adopting a brand new cat till they’ve recovered or handed on.
Find out how to Introduce a New Cat to Your Present Cat
There aren’t any set “guidelines” on how it is best to pair cats if you happen to plan on adopting a couple of. Nonetheless, with so many cat lovers round, there are tried and true strategies of tips on how to correctly introduce your new arrival to your present feline resident.
The primary introductions are at all times the toughest and don’t at all times find yourself together with your cats being greatest mates. Utilizing the proper methodology can assist to extend the percentages of one other cat becoming into your property but it surely additionally depends on the cats themselves. Listed here are my favourite strategies:
1. Bear in mind Age and Temperament
As we talked about earlier, age and character are the 2 greatest elements in terms of introducing a brand new cat. You’ll must rigorously think about if the kitten you’re planning on adopting can be welcomed by your growing old feline or whether or not they’ll be too energetic on your older cat’s laid-back temperament.
2. Begin Introducing Scent
Everyone knows canine are the champions in terms of good noses however cats depend on scents too. They’ll use their scent to mark you and their favourite sleeping spot as theirs and don’t take kindly to unusual smells—like that of the brand new kitten—invading their territory.
Earlier than your previous and new cats come shut to one another, it is advisable introduce their scents first. You are able to do this by introducing a blanket utilized by the kitten to your present cat—and vice versa—to get each animals used to the scent of the opposite.
As you introduce your new cat to your property, proceed to change objects they’ve used together with your present cat’s possessions.
3. Separate Rooms
It’s thrilling to convey a brand new cat house. To make the transition as clean as potential although, it’s greatest if you happen to begin with the cats in two separate rooms reasonably than soar straight into the primary assembly. It’s really helpful to make use of a bed room or lavatory with a door you may shut so you may preserve a barrier between your present cat and their new roommate.
4. Feeding Collectively
Regardless of your cats being in separate rooms, you may nonetheless encourage them to eat meals collectively by putting their bowls on both aspect of the door. This works greatest if the door to the room you’re preserving your kitten in has a spot beneath so each cats can nonetheless scent one another whereas they eat. They’ll be capable of inform the opposite is there even when they’ll’t see one another. It’ll additionally enable you to decide whether or not your cat is able to meet the brand new arrival or wants a couple of extra days.
5. First Assembly
As soon as each cats are comfortable sufficient interacting with one another on their sides of the door, the next step is correctly introducing them. You can begin by utilizing a gate of some type that your cat can’t squeeze by means of or soar over. This fashion your cats can see one another however gained’t be capable of attain one another. As soon as they’ll tolerate the sight of one another, you may take away the gate.
Don’t depart your cats alone collectively till you’re certain they’ll get alongside. Not all first conferences go properly. Whereas cats typically work out their issues themselves, they’ll trigger one another critical accidents if issues go improper. Within the worst-case situation, you’ll should be readily available to soundly intervene.
Conclusion
Pairing your cat with a brand new feline pal largely depends on their temperament and age. Figuring out whether or not they’ll get together with a brand new cat means rigorously contemplating whether or not they have earlier experiences with different cats or are too previous to welcome such a drastic change of their routine.
Typically, two kittens from the identical litter stand the very best likelihood of getting alongside from the get-go whereas introducing an odd cat can take some extra work. While you’re trying to undertake, discover a cat with an identical temperament to your present feline and introduce them slowly for the very best outcomes.
Featured Picture Credit score: xixicatphotos, Shutterstock
Cat mother to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that’s her one and solely baby. For now! All through her life, she has been launched to the particular love that may be discovered within the bond with a cat. Having owned a number of felines, she is greater than sure that their love is unmatched, unconditional and in contrast to some other. With a ardour to coach the general public about every thing, there may be to find out about felines, their conduct, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating certain that each one cats and their house owners know the significance of acutely aware residing – and loving!
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