The way to Know if Your Cat Accepts a New Kitten

Amanda Campion / Cats.com

Bringing a brand new kitten into your own home may be an thrilling but nerve-wracking expertise for cat mother and father, particularly if you have already got a resident grownup cat. You might marvel how your present cat will react and whether or not they’ll settle for the brand new kitten, wanting them to be pals instantly.

Cats are extremely territorial animals, and introducing a brand new feline companion could cause pressure, stress, and nervousness. However your kitty may be inspired to simply accept the brand new arrival with persistence, time, and the fitting method. On this article, we’ll discover the important thing indicators that point out your cat is receiving the new kitten within the introduction course of, the right way to foster a wholesome co-existing relationship, and the significance of being ‘Cat-Led.’

10 Indicators That Your Cat Is Accepting a New Kitten

Let’s check out some widespread indicators that your new feline member of the family is being welcomed, accepted and brought below the wing of your resident kitty.

1. Curiosity As a substitute of Aggression

One of many first constructive indicators that your resident pet is beginning to settle for the brand new kitten is curiosity over aggression. Initially, it’s widespread for the older cat to hiss, growl, or swat on the kitten. That is regular, so don’t be alarmed, however this may also be obvious if introductions are rushed. Nonetheless, should you discover your cat observing the kitten from a distance, sniffing their belongings, or cautiously approaching them with out lashing out, it’s an indication that they’re starting to simply accept the newcomer.

Cats are naturally territorial, and your resident cat will initially really feel that the brand new kitten is an intruder. Over time, this resource-guarding habits will seemingly shift towards curiosity as they notice the kitten isn’t a risk to them or their standing within the house.

Encourage your cat to discover the brand new kitten’s scent by zone-swapping blankets or toys between them while initially holding them bodily separate utilizing a barrier resembling child gates, to allow them to get used to one another with out direct bodily or visible interplay. It will assist facilitate acceptance with out inflicting extra stress. As soon as that is going nicely, you’ll be able to transfer on to a visible introduction.

2. Sharing Assets

Territorial habits typically extends past a cat’s private area and covers its assets. A major signal of acceptance is when your older cat shares their assets with the brand new kitten. This may very well be their meals bowls, toys, scratching posts, or favourite lounging and perching spots. Whereas offering separate assets for every cat to forestall battle is important, voluntary sharing signifies that your cat feels comfy and now not views the kitten as competitors.

Generally, you would possibly discover your cat letting the kitten eat from their meals bowl or play with their favourite toy. This acceptance displays rising belief and luxury with the brand new kitten. Nonetheless, don’t pressure useful resource sharing, because it might result in stress. Cats ought to by no means have to decide on between consuming and compelled contact. As a substitute, let it occur naturally over time because the bond between the 2 cats strengthens. It’s important all the time to feed cats other than one another no matter their bond, as consuming is a solitary exercise for cats.

3. Grooming Conduct

Mutual grooming is normally an indication of a powerful, constructive bond between cats. Amanda Campion / Cats.com

Mutual grooming is named allogrooming and is likely one of the most evident indicators of a rising bond between cats. Cats use grooming to ascertain belief, present affection, and reinforce social bonds. When you discover your older cat beginning to groom the brand new kitten, it’s a constructive indicator that they’re accepting them as a part of their social household. Mutual grooming retains every cat clear and helps them really feel protected and cozy with each other by transferring one another’s scent.

It’s essential to notice that grooming received’t occur immediately, particularly in case your older cat continues to be adjusting. Nonetheless, when it does happen, it’s a reassuring signal that the connection is transferring in the fitting course.

4. Enjoying Collectively

Play is an important a part of the bonding course of between cats. While you begin seeing your older cat and new kitten participating in playful social interactions, it’s a necessary signal of acceptance. Play permits cats to discover one another’s boundaries, strengths, weaknesses, personalities, and power ranges in a non-threatening manner. Search for playful chasing, mild pawing, or mock pouncing—all of that are indicators that your cat feels extra relaxed with the kitten and is forming a constructive affiliation.

Be aware of the kind of play, as tough or overly aggressive habits may be mistaken for playfulness. If the interactions turn into too intense, intervene by redirecting their consideration to toys or allow them to take a while out aside in a separate room.  Over time, you must see extra harmonious play periods as your cat turns into extra comfy with the brand new addition, rising the length and frequency of those bonding periods.

5. Optimistic Physique Language

Studying your cat’s physique language can present worthwhile perception into their emotions in regards to the new kitten. Optimistic physique language cues embrace relaxed ears, gradual blinking, and a comfortable, gently swaying rhythmic tail. These indicators counsel that your cat is calm and content material across the kitten.

However, should you discover indicators of stress, resembling flattened ears, narrowed eyes, a stiff posture, or a twitching tail, your cat should be adjusting to the brand new scenario. Over time, you must see a shift of their physique language as they turn into extra comfy with the kitten’s presence.

6. Sleeping in Nearer Proximity

Cats are susceptible in sleep, so sleeping with a companion signifies belief and luxury. Kamila Kosiol / Shutterstock.com

Cats are very explicit about their sleeping preparations, searching for protected, safe spots the place they really feel utterly relaxed. In case your resident cat begins to sleep close to the brand new kitten or permits the kitten to sleep shut by to them —whether or not in the identical room, on the identical piece of furnishings, and even snuggled up collectively—it’s a transparent signal that they really feel extra comfy with the kitten’s presence.

Cats that really feel threatened or uneasy will typically keep away from shut contact, particularly throughout sleep, once they’re most susceptible. So, if you discover your cat napping close to the brand new kitten, it’s a powerful indicator that the connection is on course.

7. Following the Kitten Round

In case your cat begins to observe the brand new kitten across the house, it’s an indication that it’s inquisitive about forming a bond. This habits reveals that your cat is curious and desires to spend time close to the kitten. Whereas it’d appear to be stalking at first, so long as your cat isn’t displaying indicators of aggression, that is usually a constructive growth. Permitting this habits to play out is essential so that you just don’t intervene and disrupt the bonding course of.

Following the kitten additionally permits your cat to look at their habits and perceive their routines. Over time, this will result in extra constructive interactions.

8. Vocal Communication

Cats talk not solely via physique language but additionally via vocalizations. When you discover your older cat chirping or trilling within the kitten’s presence, it’s an indication that they’re trying to speak in a pleasant manner. These vocalizations typically specific curiosity, affection, or an invite to work together.

In case your cat is growling or hissing, giving it area and time to regulate is important. Nonetheless, as their relationship with the kitten improves, you must hear extra pleasant vocalizations.

9. Head Bumping and Rubbing

Head bumping, or bunting, is a typical manner for cats to point out affection and mark one another with their facial pheromones. In case your older cat begins to head-butt or rub in opposition to the brand new kitten, it’s an indication that they settle for them into their territory. This habits is a type of scent marking that helps cats set up a social bond.

Along with head bumping, you would possibly discover your cat rubbing its face or physique in opposition to the kitten. This means that your cat is turning into extra comfy and affectionate towards its new companion.

10. Decreased Indicators of Stress or Aggression

Lastly, some of the reassuring indicators that your cat is accepting the brand new kitten is decreased stress or aggressive habits. Over time, you must see fewer situations of hissing, growling, or swatting as your cat adjusts to the brand new dynamic. It is best to see extra shows of relaxed, pleasant behaviors that point out acceptance.

It’s essential to keep in mind that each cat is totally different, and the time it takes in your older cat to simply accept the brand new kitten can fluctuate. Some cats might take a couple of days to regulate absolutely, whereas others may have weeks or months. Endurance, understanding, and gradual phased introductions are important to fostering a constructive relationship between your cats.

The way to Encourage Your Cat to Settle for the New Kitten

In case your cat continues to be adjusting to the brand new kitten, there are a number of steps you’ll be able to take to encourage a smoother transition:

1. Gradual Introductions: Don’t rush the method. Swap zones and blankets earlier than visible introductions start to permit your cats to get to know one another’s scent.
2. Present Loads of Area: Every cat ought to have its assets, together with meals bowls, litter packing containers, and raised sleeping areas.
3. Diffusers: Utilizing artificial pheromones and calming cat attractants (phytotherapy) can      facilitate a calming setting for each the newcomer and the resident cat
4. Optimistic Reinforcement: Reward each cats with treats and reward once they work together calmly and positively. Goal for just some minutes at a time initially and enhance length over time.
5. Create a Secure Atmosphere: Guarantee each cats really feel safe and have loads of hiding spots to retreat if wanted. Ideally, these needs to be raised at totally different ranges for the age of the cat or kitten
6. Seek the advice of a Veterinarian or Behaviorist: If tensions stay excessive, searching for skilled recommendation sooner slightly than later may also help ease the transition earlier than too many unfavorable developments happen.

Bringing a brand new kitten into your own home could be a huge adjustment for you and your older cat. Nonetheless, with persistence and cautious introductions, most cats can study to simply accept and even get pleasure from their new companion. By in search of indicators of curiosity, playfulness, grooming, and shared areas, you’ll be able to inform when your cat is beginning to settle for the brand new kitten. Over time, these behaviors will strengthen the bond between your two feline companions, making a extra harmonious family.