Why do people bring home kittens when they already have cats?
Often I wonder if the owner is not being selfish. Perhaps they are just bored with the cat they have or saw a fuzzy cute kitten that they couldn’t resist. They often say they want their existing cat to have a “friend” — but the adult cat hardly thinks of the newcomer (especially a kitten) as a friend.
What do you need to know about raising a kitten?
Raising a kitten is an entirely different experience from having an adult cat. Kittens have boundless energy and curiosity, which means they require a lot of your time and energy. Your new kitten needs not only lots of affection and playtime in order to be properly socialized, but also a ton of supervision to keep her out of trouble.
When is it time to get a kitten?
If your adult resident cat is playful, healthy, sociable and energetic, then a kitten might be a good choice. Just be sure the kitten you choose is old enough to go through the introduction and isn’t put in a dangerous situation. Think about your resident cat’s personality in general.
What happens when you have an adult cat and a kitten?
It seems that many times this causes a huge amount of stress and hostility in the current resident adult cat. It can even permanently change the adult cat’s personality (cause them to hide more). The perplexed owner then asks for advise on how to get the existing cat to accept the new kitten.
How does it feel to bring home a new cat?
Bringing home a new cat is much like adopting a human baby. However, in the case of a cat, you’ll be shopping for a litter box instead of a changing table. Before you bring your new cat or kitten home, there are a number of things to collect or buy, so your cat will feel like a family member rather than a visitor.
What should I do if my older cat wants a kitten?
Place the kitten’s belongings in this room (such as a litter box and food bowls) along with a toy that belongs to your older cat. Make sure your older cat is healthy. Added stress to an unhealthy cat will only make things worse and you want your cat not only mentally prepared for a new kitten but also physically ready to handle it.
How does an older cat react to a kitten?
Cats need to have order and a new member in the home must know where it ranks. Your older cat may have a period of time when it tries to establish a hierarchy with the new kitten. Your older cat may hiss and swat at the kitten when the newcomer does something unfavorable.
Often I wonder if the owner is not being selfish. Perhaps they are just bored with the cat they have or saw a fuzzy cute kitten that they couldn’t resist. They often say they want their existing cat to have a “friend” — but the adult cat hardly thinks of the newcomer (especially a kitten) as a friend.
How old was my cat when I fostered kittens?
“My cat” wasn’t a huge fan of other cats, but wasn’t at all stressed by them, as long as her people were around. The one that lived to be 22 played with new kittens (I fostered kittens from the Humane Society and got my mom into it), and he was also not at all stressed by kittens.
How to transition to a multi cat household?
The following proactive tasks will help the transition to a multi-cat household (or the addition of another cat to a home that already has multiples) go more smoothly: Make sure the cats each have sufficient territory. Territory, from a feline perspective, is space (horizontal and vertical) and access to prime resources.
How to introduce a new cat to a household that already has?
Set up a private “welcome home” suite for your new cat so the two cats can have their own space at first. This room should be inaccessible to your resident cat and incorporate all of the important territory and lifestyle elements described above.
How many cats have I adopted in two years?
In the last two years I’ve adopted two new cats and fostered a litter of kittens, all without injuries to me or the cats. Here’s what I’ve learned.
What are the names of my Three Cats?
I currently have three cats: Jax, Leela, and Louie. Jax is an older cat and is somewhat of a curmudgeon. When we brought Leela home from the shelter he was not amused and he let us know. If she tried to approach him, he’d yowl and act threatening.
Is it scary to bring a new kitten home?
A new home with new sights, new sounds, and new smells can be a scary place for a young kitten, but there are things you can do to make the transition easier.
Is it OK for an adult cat to have a kitten?
Most adult cats are fairly tolerant of kittens as long as their territory is respected and they don’t feel neglected. It’s important to spend quality time with both the new and the resident cat. In fact, during the transition period it is a good idea to spend extra time with the older cat.