5 TIPS to Introduce a KITTEN to an OLDER CAT (Step by Step) 👴🏻👶🏻 (Introducing Senior Cat to Kitten), by AnimalWised on YouTube. 2 min 3 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 3 s
- Time to do it
- 2 to 4 weeks
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Set up a sanctuary room for the kitten with food, water, a litter box, a bed and toys. Keep the door closed so the older cat can smell and hear the newcomer without meeting it.
Feed both cats on opposite sides of the closed door. This helps them link the other cat's scent with something good, like dinner.
Rub a soft cloth on each cat's cheeks and place it in the other cat's space. Repeat this scent swap every day for about a week.
Swap rooms for short periods. Let the older cat explore the kitten's room while the kitten explores the rest of the house.
Crack the door open or fit a baby gate for brief visual meetings. Keep these sessions short and calm, and end them before either cat gets tense.
Start supervised meetings of 5 to 10 minutes. Let the older cat walk away whenever it wants, and separate them at the first hiss or swat.
Add cat trees, shelves and high perches. The older cat needs places to climb out of the kitten's reach.
Move the food bowls closer together on each side of the gate as both cats stay relaxed. Go back a step if mealtimes turn tense.
Increase their time together over days or weeks. Keep them separate when you are out until both cats are calm and settled.
Tips and common mistakes
Never rush the introduction, since a slow pace is what prevents long-term stress.
Do not punish hissing or growling. It is normal communication, and punishment makes the older cat more anxious.
Give each cat its own food bowl, litter box and sleeping spot so neither has to share.
Play with the kitten before meetings to burn off energy and keep the session calmer.
Questions
How long does it take to introduce a kitten to an older cat?
Many cats need two to four weeks, but some take longer. Move to the next step only when both cats seem relaxed at the current one.
What if my older cat keeps hissing at the kitten?
Hissing is normal in the early days. Go back to scent swapping and feeding on opposite sides of the door, and keep meetings very short.
Can I leave the kitten and older cat alone together?
Not until they are calm together for long periods. Keep them separated when you are out or asleep during the first weeks.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
