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When you’ve jumped into proudly owning a cat, it’s simple 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 simple.

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 large an element as you would possibly assume although. Listed below are some “guidelines” that I’ve developed for pairing your current cat with the cute kitten you’re planning to undertake.

My High 4 Guidelines for Pairing Cats at Dwelling:

1. Comparable Age

It may be difficult to introduce a cat to your family at one of the best of instances however a cat that’s the same age to your resident feline shall be extra more likely to go well with 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 possible they’re to have established territory in your house to battle over.

Kittens With Kittens

The simplest method to pair cats in your house is by adopting two kittens from the identical litter. Kittens are essentially the most adaptable to new conditions—together with assembly new pals when you 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 in a position to handle one another’s excessive power ranges than when you pair a kitten with a senior cat. Kittens usually tend to play with one another moderately than choose to chill out.

Youthful Cats

Just like kittens, younger grownup cats are normally extra more likely to tolerate a brand new feline pal. They may 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 have to make the right introductions to ensure your cats are suitable earlier than you formally welcome them residence.

In the event you do need to introduce a brand new kitten to your cat, the youthful your resident cat is the extra possible it’s that the preliminary assembly will go properly.

Grownup Cats

Usually, the older the cat is, the much less possible 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 more likely to choose stress-free over enjoying with an brisk kitten.

There’s additionally the likelihood 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 residence. This goes for the grownup cat you need to undertake as properly.

Whereas this doesn’t imply you possibly can’t introduce a kitten or an grownup cat to your current cat, it is best to take further steps to make sure the preliminary assembly goes properly. Take into account that some grownup cats would possibly by no means be proud of a brand new arrival and it is best to take their preferences into consideration too.

2. Persona Varieties

With regards 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 can 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 power ranges than a kitten and a senior cat are. In case your resident cat is happier napping all day as a substitute of enjoying, they’ll be much less more likely to take pleasure in having an odd kitten pounce on them each time they cross paths. Equally, a timid cat may be too cautious of a extra assured cat to type a bond.

3. Male or Feminine?

No one actually is aware of whether or not it’s higher to accomplice feminine cats with different females, males with males, or pair a male with a feminine. When all is alleged and achieved, 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 will be simply as aggressive as males, whereas Pussycats will be surprisingly timid. With regards 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 stated that neutered males are friendlier normally, neutering may not 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 brand new cat to your resident feline is at all times anxious, even when your current 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 when you be sure that 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 finest when you forgo adopting a brand new cat till they’ve recovered or handed on.

The way to Introduce a New Cat to Your Current Cat

There aren’t any set “guidelines” on how it is best to pair cats when you plan on adopting multiple. Nonetheless, with so many cat lovers round, there are tried and true strategies of how one can 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 along with your cats being finest pals. Utilizing the proper technique may also help to extend the chances of one other cat becoming into your house but it surely additionally depends on the cats themselves. Listed below are my favourite strategies:

1. Keep in mind Age and Temperament

As we talked about earlier, age and character are the 2 largest elements with regards to introducing a brand new cat. You’ll have to rigorously take into account if the kitten you’re planning on adopting shall be welcomed by your growing older feline or whether or not they’ll be too energetic to your older cat’s laid-back temperament.

2. Begin Introducing Scent

Everyone knows canines are the champions with regards to 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, you might want to introduce their scents first. You are able to do this by introducing a blanket utilized by the kitten to your current cat—and vice versa—to get each animals used to the scent of the opposite.

As you introduce your new cat to your house, proceed to trade gadgets they’ve used along with your present cat’s possessions.

3. Separate Rooms

It’s thrilling to carry a brand new cat residence. To make the transition as clean as doable although, it’s finest when you begin with the cats in two separate rooms moderately than leap straight into the primary assembly. It’s really helpful to make use of a bed room or rest room with a door you possibly can shut so you possibly can hold a barrier between your current cat and their new roommate.

4. Feeding Collectively

Regardless of your cats being in separate rooms, you possibly can nonetheless encourage them to eat meals collectively by inserting their bowls on both facet of the door. This works finest if the door to the room you’re protecting 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 will’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 just a few extra days.

5. First Assembly

As soon as each cats are joyful 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 by way of or leap over. This manner your cats can see one another however received’t have the ability to attain one another. As soon as they will tolerate the sight of one another, you possibly can take away the gate.

Don’t depart your cats alone collectively till you’re positive they’ll get alongside. Not all first conferences go properly. Whereas cats typically work out their issues themselves, they will trigger one another critical accidents if issues go flawed. Within the worst-case situation, you’ll must 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 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.

Usually, two kittens from the identical litter stand one of the best likelihood of getting alongside from the get-go whereas introducing an odd cat can take some extra work. Once you’re trying to undertake, discover a cat with the same temperament to your current feline and introduce them slowly for one of the best outcomes.

Featured Picture Credit score: xixicatphotos, Shutterstock

Cat mother to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that’s her one and solely youngster. 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 every little thing, there’s to find out about felines, their conduct, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating positive that every one cats and their house owners know the significance of aware residing – and loving!