How to Prepare a Cat for a New Kitten

There's no way to prepare your cat for a new kitten before you bring the kitten into the home, but you can make the transition as easy as possible. Take the time to follow the proper steps when bringing your new kitten home. Your time and patience will pay off and it will reduce the stress on your cat.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat carrier
  • Room with door
  • Food dish
  • Water dish
  • Litter box
  • Bedding
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare a room for your new kitten. Set up a separate litter box, food dish, water dish and bedding. Make sure to use a room with a door where you can keep your kitten out of the rest of the house. Your cat is sure to see the new setup and wonder what is going on. You may want to use a spare room in your house if your cat is used to sleeping with you.

    • 2

      Bring you new kitten in the house in a cat carrier. Do not allow your cat to see the kitten. Bring the kitten directly into the room you set up. Put the carrier down in the room, with the door closed. Open the door to the carrier and allow the kitten to come out when ready. The kitten may want some time alone before exiting the carrier.

    • 3

      Keep your kitten in the room with the door closed for about a week. Your cat and the kitten will smell each other through the door. The kitten will bat his paws under the door playfully. Watch how your cat reacts to this type of play. If your cat hisses and becomes aggressive, the transition may take a bit longer. Your cat responding positively to the playfulness through the door is a good sign.

    • 4

      Throughout the first week, switch bedding between the cat and kitten. This will allow the cat and kitten to get used to one another's smell and fur. During the second week you can confine your cat for a few hours a day and let the kitten roam around the house on her own.

    • 5

      At week three of having your new kitten he should be introduced to your cat. Allow the kitten and cat to be able to see but not touch one another. You can accomplish this by using a baby gate between doors. If this initial meeting goes well, it is time to allow the cats to spend time together in the house.