How Can I Get My Adult Male Cat to Get Used to My Baby Female Cat?

Perhaps you're adopting a female kitten because your male cat seems to be lonely or because you are rescuing her from a bad situation. Although any two cats can potentially get along regardless of sex, experts often recommend adding a female kitten if you already have an adult male cat. Adult cats more readily accept kittens, and a female kitten will be less likely than a male kitten to spark your male cat's undesirable territorial behaviors. Whatever the circumstance, introducing a female kitten to your resident adult male cat will be more successful if done slowly and with patience.

Things You'll Need

  • New litter box
  • New cat toy
  • New scratching post
  • New cat bed
  • Pair of socks
  • Interactive cat toy
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Instructions

    • 1
      A vet should vaccinate and check your kitten for disease.

      Prepare your resident male cat before bringing a female kitten home by having him spayed if he is not already; this will help reduce a male cat's aggression and tendency to mark territory by spraying and will also prevent unwanted kitten litters. Consult your veterinarian concerning when your new female kitten should be neutered; spaying and neutering is typically done when kittens reach sexual maturity--between four and six months old. Bring your new kitten to your veterinarian for vaccinations and to confirm a clean bill of health before bringing her home.

    • 2
      Your male cat may be angry and need extra comfort at first as he adjusts to his new housemate.

      Create a separate, safe space--such as an extra bedroom--for your new kitten to be sequestered when she first arrives in your home. Provide her with her own food, water, new litter box, scratching post, toy and bed. Allow her to remain inside her sanctuary without encountering your male cat for one to two weeks. While she is adjusting, spend extra time with your male cat, giving him lots of attention to reassure him that the new presence he senses is not a threat.

    • 3

      Introduce your cats to each others' scents several days before introducing them face to face. Rub a sock thoroughly over your kitten's scent gland areas on the sides of its face and mouth, and do the same with a different sock and your resident male cat. Place the kitten's sock where your male cat will find it and the male cat's sock in your kitten's sanctuary. Repeat this over the next few days to help your cats learn about each other in a less intimidating situation than if they were directly near each other.

    • 4
      Introduce slowly to help create a lifelong friendship.

      Set aside a day or two to supervise your cats' introduction. Open the door to your kitten's sanctuary and let her come out on her own. Speak reassuringly to your male cat, and play with him with interactive toys, such as a feather on a string, to help him reduce tension; a bonus is that both cats may play with the toy together, helping them feel more comfortable together.