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When you’ve jumped into proudly owning a cat, it’s straightforward to need one other furry good friend to maintain them firm—or just since you adore cats. We’ve all seen lovely photos of cats cuddled up with one another, however introducing pets to new arrivals isn’t at all times 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 massive an element as you may assume although. Listed here are some “guidelines” that I’ve developed for pairing your present cat with the lovely kitten you’re planning to undertake.
My High 4 Guidelines for Pairing Cats at House:
1. Comparable Age
It may be difficult to introduce a cat to your family at one of the best of occasions however a cat that’s an analogous age to your resident feline will likely be extra more likely to go well with 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 seemingly they’re to have established territory in your house to combat over.
Kittens With Kittens
The best technique 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 for those who occur to undertake two kittens from separate litters. Adopting two kittens from the identical litter additionally ensures they’ll be accustomed to 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 power ranges than for those who pair a kitten with a senior cat. Kittens usually tend to play with one another slightly than favor to calm down.
Youthful Cats
Just like kittens, younger grownup cats are often extra more likely to tolerate a brand new feline good friend. They is perhaps 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 latest cats. This isn’t at all times the case, so you continue to must make the correct introductions to ensure your cats are suitable earlier than you formally welcome them house.
When you do wish to introduce a brand new kitten to your cat, the youthful your resident cat is the extra seemingly it’s that the preliminary assembly will go effectively.
Grownup Cats
Typically, the older the cat is, the much less seemingly they’re to simply 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 favor stress-free 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 effectively to having one other cat of their house. This goes for the grownup cat you wish to undertake as effectively.
Whereas this doesn’t imply you possibly can’t introduce a kitten or an grownup cat to your present cat, you must take further steps to make sure the preliminary assembly goes effectively. Remember that some grownup cats may by no means be proud of a brand new arrival and you must take their preferences under consideration too.
2. Persona Varieties
In terms of pairing cats, their temperament is simply as vital 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 much 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 an alternative of taking part in, they’ll be much less more likely to get pleasure from having an odd kitten pounce on them each time they cross paths. Equally, a timid cat is perhaps too cautious of a extra assured cat to type a bond.
3. Male or Feminine?
No one 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 carried out, it’s the age and personalities of the cats you’re introducing that play the largest half in a budding friendship or catastrophe.
Feminine cats will be simply as aggressive as males, whereas Felines will be surprisingly timid. In terms of their character, neutering doesn’t at all times change each side of their temperament. Whereas it should interrupt the extra hormone-driven conduct and it may be stated that neutered males are friendlier normally, neutering won’t make them friendlier towards different cats.
In the long run, 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 aggravating, 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 typical day-to-day actions, it’s inevitable.
Most wholesome cats will adapt to their new companion, particularly for those who be sure that the cats are suitable 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 downside, it’s finest for those who forgo adopting a brand new cat till they’ve recovered or handed on.
How one can Introduce a New Cat to Your Current Cat
There aren’t any set “guidelines” on how you must pair cats for those who 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 together with your cats being finest pals. Utilizing the appropriate methodology may help to extend the percentages of one other cat becoming into your private home 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 character are the 2 largest components in terms of introducing a brand new cat. You’ll must fastidiously think about if the kitten you’re planning on adopting will likely be welcomed by your getting 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 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 outdated and new cats come shut to one another, you must 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 odor of the opposite.
As you introduce your new cat to your private home, proceed to alternate 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 easy as doable although, it’s finest for those who begin with the cats in two separate rooms slightly than soar straight into the primary assembly. It’s really helpful to make use of a bed room or lavatory with a door you possibly can shut so you possibly can hold a barrier between your present 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 aspect of the door. This works finest if the door to the room you’re holding your kitten in has a niche beneath so each cats can nonetheless odor one another whereas they eat. They’ll be capable to inform the opposite is there even when they’ll’t see one another. It’ll additionally aid 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 completely happy 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 type that your cat can’t squeeze by way of or soar over. This fashion your cats can see one another however received’t be capable to attain one another. As soon as they’ll tolerate the sight of one another, you possibly can take away the gate.
Don’t depart your cats alone collectively till you’re certain they’ll get alongside. Not all first conferences go effectively. Whereas cats typically work out their issues themselves, they’ll trigger one another severe accidents if issues go unsuitable. Within the worst-case situation, you’ll have to be readily available to soundly intervene.
Conclusion
Pairing your cat with a brand new feline good friend 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 outdated to welcome such a drastic change of their routine.
Typically, 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. Whenever you’re seeking to undertake, discover a cat with an analogous temperament to your present 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 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 another. With a ardour to coach the general public about all the pieces, there may be to learn about felines, their conduct, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating certain that every one cats and their house owners know the significance of acutely aware residing – and loving!
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