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 footage of cats cuddled up with one another, however introducing pets to new arrivals isn’t all the time straightforward.
You may 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 huge an element as you may 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 High 4 Guidelines for Pairing Cats at Residence:
1. Related Age
It may be difficult to introduce a cat to your family at the perfect of instances however a cat that’s the same age to your resident feline can be extra prone to swimsuit their temperament. Matching an grownup with one other grownup, for instance, may assist forestall 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 struggle over.
Kittens With Kittens
The best strategy 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 buddies for those who 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 can even be higher capable of handle one another’s excessive vitality ranges than for those who pair a kitten with a senior cat. Kittens usually tend to play with one another somewhat than desire to loosen up.
Youthful Cats
Just like kittens, younger grownup cats are normally 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 usually extra accepting of latest cats. This isn’t all the time the case, so you continue to have to make the correct introductions to ensure your cats are appropriate earlier than you formally welcome them residence.
For those who do need 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 effectively.
Grownup Cats
Typically, the older the cat is, the much less probably they’re to simply accept a brand new arrival. Grownup and senior cats have had rather more time to settle into themselves and carve out their territory. They’re additionally extra prone to desire stress-free over taking part in with an lively kitten.
There’s additionally the likelihood that grownup cats have had extra detrimental experiences with different felines. On this case, it’s unlikely they’ll take effectively to having one other cat of their residence. This goes for the grownup cat you need to undertake as effectively.
Whereas this doesn’t imply you may’t introduce a kitten or an grownup cat to your present cat, you need to take further steps to make sure the preliminary assembly goes effectively. Remember the fact that some grownup cats may by no means be pleased with a brand new arrival and you need to take their preferences into consideration too.
2. Character Sorts
In the case of pairing cats, their temperament is simply as essential as their age. That is the place adopting an grownup cat can typically be higher than adopting a kitten. An grownup cat could have already settled into their persona and also you’ll be higher capable of see in the event that they’re energetic, laid-back, or aggressive towards different cats.
It’s much 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 an alternative of taking part in, they’ll be much less prone to get pleasure from having a wierd kitten pounce on them each time they cross paths. Equally, a timid cat could be too cautious of a extra assured cat to kind a bond.
3. Male or Feminine?
No person actually is aware of whether or not it’s higher to associate feminine cats with different females, males with males, or pair a male with a feminine. When all is claimed and completed, 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 could be simply as aggressive as males, whereas Pussycats could be surprisingly timid. In the case of their persona, neutering doesn’t all the time change each aspect of their temperament. Whereas it’s going to interrupt the extra hormone-driven habits and it may be stated that neutered males are friendlier generally, neutering won’t make them friendlier towards different cats.
Ultimately, the selection between female and male cats is a part of your private choice greater than a choice cats have for one another.
4. Well being
Introducing a brand new cat to your resident feline is all the time tense, even when your present cat is easy-going and younger sufficient to adapt simply. Cats like routine greater than the rest and a brand new arrival will trigger stress by interrupting their regular day-to-day actions, it’s inevitable.
Most wholesome cats will adapt to their new companion, particularly for those who make sure that the cats are appropriate and introduce them correctly. Nonetheless, in case your cat is older, injured, or sick, the stress may make their well being worse. In case your cat is getting on in years or has a medical drawback, it’s greatest for those who forgo adopting a brand new cat till they’ve recovered or handed on.
The right way to Introduce a New Cat to Your Present Cat
There aren’t any set “guidelines” on how you need to pair cats for those who plan on adopting multiple. Nonetheless, with so many cat lovers round, there are tried and true strategies of the best way to correctly introduce your new arrival to your present feline resident.
The primary introductions are all the time the toughest and don’t all the time find yourself along with your cats being greatest buddies. Utilizing the best technique may help to extend the chances of one other cat becoming into your property however it additionally depends on the cats themselves. Listed here are my favourite strategies:
1. Keep in mind Age and Temperament
As we talked about earlier, age and persona are the 2 largest components on the subject of introducing a brand new cat. You’ll have to fastidiously take into account if the kitten you’re planning on adopting can be welcomed by your ageing feline or whether or not they’ll be too energetic in your older cat’s laid-back temperament.
2. Begin Introducing Scent
Everyone knows canines are the champions on the subject 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’s essential 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 along with your present cat’s possessions.
3. Separate Rooms
It’s thrilling to convey a brand new cat residence. To make the transition as easy as attainable although, it’s greatest for those who begin with the cats in two separate rooms somewhat than leap straight into the primary assembly. It’s beneficial 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 inserting their bowls on both aspect of the door. This works greatest if the door to the room you’re maintaining your kitten in has a niche beneath so each cats can nonetheless scent one another whereas they eat. They’ll have the ability to inform the opposite is there even when they’ll’t see one another. It’ll additionally enable you decide whether or not your cat is able to meet the brand new arrival or wants a number of extra days.
5. First Assembly
As soon as each cats are glad sufficient interacting with one another on their sides of the door, the next step is correctly introducing them. You can begin through the use of a gate of some variety that your cat can’t squeeze via or leap over. This manner your cats can see one another however gained’t have the ability to 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 positive they’ll get alongside. Not all first conferences go effectively. Whereas cats usually work out their issues themselves, they’ll trigger one another critical accidents if issues go improper. Within the worst-case state of affairs, you’ll have to be readily available to soundly intervene.
Conclusion
Pairing your cat with a brand new feline pal principally depends on their temperament and age. Figuring out whether or not they’ll get together with a brand new cat means fastidiously 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 perfect probability of getting alongside from the get-go whereas introducing a wierd cat can take some extra work. If you’re trying to undertake, discover a cat with the same temperament to your present feline and introduce them slowly for the perfect 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 every other. With a ardour to teach the general public about the whole lot, there may be to learn about felines, their habits, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating positive that every one cats and their homeowners know the significance of acutely aware dwelling – and loving!