How to Introduce a Kitten to Your Older Cat

By Paul Ciampanelli Mar 8th 2010

Cats are territorial creatures and you are their most prized possession -- it only makes sense that an older cat would not want to share you. But with planning and supervision, you can help bring the kitten successfully into the pride, reducing incidents of hissing or other bad behaviors.

Felicia Smith, a retired veterinarian in central New York, counsels cat owners to keep the new pet in a "safe room."

"Depending on how young the kitten is, and where the kitten has come from, give both pets privacy for three or four days, and longer if you feel it will benefit them. If you adopt a pet that has already received a vet exam and clean bill of health, and your older cat has all his shots, introduce the scents of each to the other first."

A young kitten may require a longer sheltering from your older cat. Smith recommends "If your kitten still takes milk -- if for any reason she isn't fully weaned -- please keep her away from the older," says Smith. It is also critical to keep them apart if either could be sick. "I remember one tragic instance when a kitten carrying feline leukemia was introduced to an older pet," says Smith. "The older cat hadn't been vaccinated for the disease. Within two years, both were dead."

A rare occurrence? We hope! More commonly, passing ear mites or a mild infection between pets occurs. If your new kitten is feral, make sure a vet checks and vaccinates her and that you know it is safe before introducing her to the older cat.