Are you considering adding a kitten to your family? Welcoming a new pet into your home is exciting, but it’s important to make sure that everyone—especially your current pets—are prepared.
There are steps you can take to help manage the introduction of a new kitten to other cats and dogs that are already a part of your family!
Top 5 tips for introducing a kitten to your home
- Plan ahead. Preparing how you’ll introduce your kitten to the other pets in your home is key for a positive experience. Meetings don’t go as well when you just open the door and let a kitten run into another pet's established territory. Planning pays off!
- Create safe zones. Prepare your home for your new kitten by creating areas where all your pets, including your new kitten, will feel safe and comfortable. Once created, allow your existing pets time to adjust to their new space before your kitten arrives. To create a safe space:
- For cats, set up their litter boxes, a feeding station and their bed or crate. Provide toys, their scratch post and anything else that you know will keep them at ease and happy. Be sure to spend time playing with them in their new space too.
- For dogs, set up their coziest bed along with their water dish and favorite toys. Feed and play with them in their new “retreat.” Creating safe zones well in advance means that your dog will not associate these new restrictions with the kitten’s arrival.
- For your kitten, include everything they’ll need to be comfortable and feel secure. Line their crate with an inviting blanket or bed (this will encourage crate training), offer two litter boxes, create a feeding station with their food and water, provide toys and set up a scratch post. Keep the household quiet as everyone adjusts.
- Go slow when making introductions to family dogs or cats. When it’s time for the first interaction, the key is to go slow, make it safe and, of course, have lots of treats on hand! New kitten introductions are crucial at this stage to help with their socialization. To help ensure that your existing dog or cat and new kitten get along, follow these steps:
- Rub a towel over your existing pet and leave the towel in your kitten’s area. Rub a different towel over your kitten and leave that towel with your existing pet. Repeat until your pets seem to be comfortable with their new housemate’s scent.
- Next, let your pets explore each other’s safe zones without the other present.
- Supervise short periods of visual contact while your pets are in their respective crates or behind a barrier. Reward calm behavior with praise and treats.
- Allow short, supervised contact in neutral territory, but ensure there’s an escape route for both your cat and kitten. Keep your dog on a short leash.
- Gradually increase the number and length of supervised visits. Once everyone seems relaxed and is getting along, begin leaving them together unattended, eventually phasing out supervision.
- Be cautious with small mammals and birds. Because small mammals and birds are prey animals for cats, it’s a risky situation. Cats are natural predators, so even if a kitten is successfully introduced to small mammals or birds, it doesn’t guarantee that the relationship will remain harmonious and friendly over time. As an adult, the cat may revert to their predatory ways and can easily topple a cage to open it. You may be more inclined to keep your small mammals or birds in a separate area of your home that your cat has no way to access. Speak to your veterinarian to identify solutions.
- Give everyone breaks—even your kitten! As cute as they are, kittens can be overwhelming for other pets. Once your pets are interacting without mishap and appear to be getting along, crate your kitten several times a day. Not only does this give your other pets, you and your kitten a break, it teaches your kitten that their crate is a safe haven. During these confinement breaks, spend some one-on-one time with your other pets, giving them attention without the pouncing kitten. Confinement also allows your kitten some much-needed rest. Before their crate time, spend a few minutes playing with your kitten and make sure they’ve had an opportunity to eliminate in their litter box.
Additional new kitten resources
Want to make sure you’re fully prepared for your new kitten? Check out our new kitten checklist for a list of all the supplies you’ll need for your new addition to the family.
Need some help crate training? Use these crate training tips to help your new kitten love their crate!
