Bringing home new animals can be stressful to all parties involved. Pre-planning makes life easier for everybody. In today’s article, let’s take the stress out of animal introductions by looking at the best way to introduce a new kitty into a household.
Bringing a Kitty Home
If you don’t have any other animals, introducing a new kitty is easier. However, you should still take your time introducing them to the household. I suggest you start with the carrier or bed in one small room for the first couple of weeks. During this time, make sure the kitty is happily eating, drinking, playing, and using its litter box correctly.
When you have other animals, it’s crucial to introduce a new kitty slowly and carefully. I suggest you put it in its own room in the house/apartment with its own food bowl and water dish placed far from its litter box. Make sure it likes the litter that you have chosen and is using the litter box correctly before making any changes. Be sure to clean out the litter box daily and replace all litter once weekly in this crucial stage.
Feliway is a product made from “happy kitty” pheromones that has shown some success in reducing anxiety in cats. You can get it in a spray or diffuser and use it throughout the house. Use it in the kitty’s new room and the whole house when introducing it to the other pets.
Introducing the Kitty to Other Animals
I recommend leaving the kitty in its own room for 2 weeks. Allow the other pets in the household to sniff that area under the door and get used to the idea of a new pet. You can take the kitten into other rooms with you, but only when the other animals are not present.
Meanwhile, be sure to create areas that all pets can retreat to on their own should they need them. You can make these areas from things as simple as cardboard boxes. Other options include elaborate cat scratchers with different levels, baby fenced-off areas, and custom-made cat houses. Shelves placed along the walls may also provide a space for kitties to jump up on. When you are with the new kitty alone in the house during the first two weeks, let it become familiar with these “hideouts” so it can use them when needed.
After two weeks of all animals getting used to the smells of the new kitty, you can allow the kitty into the living room or common area with one animal at a time in supervised visits. Keep dogs on leashes and under control. Be sure the new kitty has access to an area high enough to get away.
Hissing is normal with first contact, as is lots of sniffing and posturing. Yowling, growling, or overt aggression such as an attack is not normal, and both parties should be separated at once. If this happens, you need to start the process over. Start with a few minutes, and if things are going well, allow an hour of introduction time, then go back to their “safe zones.” Slowly increase time together if all goes well.
Conclusion
Reward good behavior in all animals with treats and play. Interactive play helps keep them distracted and focused on something besides each other. It can take some time for pets to get used to each other, especially if one is used to being by themself.
It’s natural to be concerned about pet interactions, which is why careful introductions are so important. If you need more guidance, book a telehealth appointment and let us guide you through the process in the comfort of your home!
