Are you planning to grow the family but are you worried that your cat does not want the new tenant? If so, it is normal. There are always many doubts about how the furry could react, but the reality is that there are not many reasons to worry.
You may not believe me now, but try the advice that I am going to give you in this article, and in less than you expect you will know how to make a cat accept a kitten.
How to prevent the cat from rejecting the new cat
If you realize that the cat continues to reject the new kitten, then it is important that you take some things into account so that this stops happening and you can all live together happily. While it is true that some cats and some cats accept kittens immediately, this is not always the case. They see them as an intruder in their pack and reject them, so they need some time to get used to the new cat, but there is also the possibility that they will never accept it as part of their pack.
Much of this will depend on how sociable your cat is and above all, its age and how it introduces itself to the new member. If done correctly by following the tips below, you are more likely to be successful.
Although cat behavior can sometimes be difficult to understand, looking at their wild relatives can offer insight into why cats sometimes have trouble coexisting.
Why are they sometimes rejected
We must first understand why cats sometimes reject new kittens. Domestic cats have their ancestors wild cats and their behavior towards other beings of the same species has a lot to do with ancestor cats. Wild cats, such as bobcats, lynxes, and servals, they are usually solitary animals. During the day, they hide in dens and go out at night to find food alone.
Cats can also form a colony led by a female cat if they are provided with food and do not feel the need to hunt to survive. Male cats usually leave the colony when they grow up.
This social hierarchy is different from that of the average house cat. This is because domestic cats are often spayed and neutered, often do not socialize well with other cats and they live in a very isolated environment away from other cats. This is what can cause conflict when you decide to bring a new kitten into your home.
Wild cats usually live in colonies of genetically related cats that are born in the colony. It is rare for unrelated cats to mate, and when they do, they usually live on the outskirts of the colony for several months before being fully accepted.
In this sense, you will most likely need to give your cat or cat time to accept the new kitten. But if your cat hasn't socialized before age 3, then it may be even more difficult for her to get along with the new member. For some cats, it is better to be the only cat or animal in a home..
How to avoid rejection
When we talk about how to get two cats to get along, the first thing we say is: they are very territorial animals, which means that they have a strong instinct to protect the territory. It is something like when a person becomes very jealous with their things and does not want anyone to touch them, with the difference that cats do not feel jealous, but what they do is protect what is theirs because that is what their instinct dictates. .
But when you take a kitten home ... the situation is not nearly as complicated as if the new cat were an adult. The cat, being an adult and having probably been in the house all her life, it is sure that she is going to feel a little uncomfortable at first, but As the days go by, she will find that she can certainly continue with her daily routine, only now she will have a new friend to play with.. The question is, how to present them?
To avoid unwanted surprises, I recommend that, As soon as you get home, have the kitten inside the carrier with the door closed, and put it on the floor so that the cat can see it and smell it. If you see him snort and / or growl, or if he wants to "kick" him, that's normal; what you don't have to do is try to scratch or bite him.
After a few minutes, open the door for her so she can get out if she wants to. You do not have to force him. In the event that the cat is very nervous and visibly uncomfortable, you should take the kitten to a room where it will stay for three days.. In it you have to put his bed, his feeder and drinker, and a sandbox. Cover the bed with a blanket (or cloth, if it's hot), and do the same with your cat's bed. Swap the blanket / fabric for them on the second and third day to get them used to the other's smell.
On the fourth day, take the kitten out of the room and leave him around the house, but don't lose sight of him.. In general, when a cat does not want to know anything about the kitten, she will stay away from him, but do not trust. If she becomes very nervous, she could attack you, so it is important to never leave them alone.
Food bowls
You have to make sure that the kitten has its own feeder and drinker. It should not be in the same place as those of your cat or cat. It is better that you feed them in separate areas of the home so that your cat does not take out its territorial instinct with its food and that this way the kitten has the opportunity to eat without problems. If necessary, do it in separate rooms and with the door closed.
Sleeping areas
As with food, sleeping areas are also important. You have to provide separate sleeping areas for both cats. You don't want to give both of you the same bed because it could be a problem. Your older cat or cat has possession of the sleeping area and will not want the new member to use it without their permission.
Observation areas
Your cat may want to avoid the new member and may show aggression as a last resort to show dislike. So that this does not happen, allows your cat to have a safe place to retreat from the new kitten and to feel comfortable with him (and vice versa). To do this, provide your older cat with an area out of reach of the kitten where only he can go.
Litter boxes
It is also important that you have more litter boxes than cats. This means that if you have two cats, you must have three litter boxes. That way they will not fight over the litter box at any time and they may even have their own litter box that they will use individually.
Use of pheromones
You can buy sprays, wipes, or diffusers that contain special happy pheromones and use them for as long as necessary until you realize how accepting cats are to each other. These pheromones help cats feel more relaxed and confident.
Pampering
Pet your new cat and also allow your older cat to sniff him while you feed him his favorite treats. This will teach your cat that the smell of the new kitten is not bad. Over time, the older cat may begin to associate the kitten's scent with a positive stimulus.
Separation
Do not allow cats to be together without your supervision until they have had several direct interactions without conflict. If you can't control the cats then they will have to be separated safely until you can directly supervise them.
Peace of mind at home
Sometimes the weirdest things can scare a new cat and cause it to show displaced aggression towards a new kitten. Cats are creatures of habit, so don't make big changes at home when introducing the new kitten. This includes changes like renovating the kitchen, getting a lot of people together at home, etc.
Fights are forbidden
Although cats may want to fight, don't allow your older cat to harm the kitten. If you are concerned that it might happen, distract the cats with a loud clap or a spray of water. If your cats fight, you need to set them aside for a while and then slowly reintroduce them to each other over a period of several days to weeks.
To help the cat accept it, I advise using Feliway in diffuser, which is a product that helps cats overcome situations that cause stress, making them relaxed.
Although the most common is that in a few days the cat has accepted the kitten, sometimes it happens that the furry one costs a little more. With love and the occasional can of wet feed, you will be a happy family.