How to introduce kittens to adult male cats without supervision?

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Daisy. Oh my goodness, they are absolutely adorable!!! I would slowly introduce them to each other. Take the kitten, and put her in her own room with her own food, water, and litter box. Keep the door closed, and for a few days, feed them both treats on other side of door so they associate each other's smell with a good experience. Then let the other cat in the kitten's room while the kitten is in a cat carrier. They can smell each other, but not be in contact. If either becomes upset or show signs of aggression, remove the second cat from the room, and try again later. Praise them when they interact appropriately. When they are interacting well with each other through the carrier, you can let the kitten out of her room, and see how she interacts with the other cat. Praise them when they interact appropriately, and separate them with any sign of aggression or upset. I would get a cat tree with lots of shelves to give the cats vertical space to get away from each other. I would keep the kitten in her room when you go out until they are comfortable with each other. I hope this helps!

Good question! You do the introductions slowly, yes. The ideal way is to put the kitten in one room and the other cats in the rest of the house. Once the kitten is cleared by the vet, you will want to put the kitten in the rest of the house and all the other cats in his room. Do this for 30-60 minutes a couple times a day. That way they can get each other's scents. Also, at this stage you will want to feed the cats by the door of the kittens room; feed the kitten on the other side of the door too. So they can smell the kitten and get a reward at the same time. Once that is going well you can use a baby gate to separate them at the door for feeding. After a few days if that is going well (no hissing etc) you can let them all out together. When I say feed them at the door I mean something really good that they will consider a treat like canned cat food, canned chicken or canned tuna. Make it a really pleasurable experience! I also strongly recommend you get some Feliway diffusers. It is "happy cat pheromones" that really works to calm cats down. Use it for at least 2 or 3 months time. Hope this helps. I know it's a long process but it is much better to do it slowly than to cause issues by just throwing him in!

Hi there and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Congratulations on your new kitty! In these situations it is best to do introductions very slowly. Some suggestions I have for you are as follows: 1) Use a Feliway diffuser to reduce overall tension in household 2) Go back to the beginning and over the first week introduce by smell only (introducing cats to each others bedding or something that has their scent on it) 3) Then introduce by sight only but no direct interaction. Do this for a week 4) Finally introduce cats together but only with direct supervision and with plenty of escape routes for both cats. Only leave them together for a very short time at first 5) Have plenty of tall cat towers and other things for the cats so they can observe each other from a distance 6) Have at least 3 litter boxes in different locations and definitely continue to feed separately and have separate water bowls. I hope this is helpful! Good luck to you and Malish!

Do it gradually. First, allow them to hear and smell one another but not see each other. This is best accomplished by keeping her in a small, closed room. Once your male has accepted her presence, have them see one another form a distance for ever increasing periods of time. The next step would be to place her in a closed carrier in the same room as your male. The final step step would be a supervised physical introduction. Use leashes on both for safety. The entire process may take days to weeks. A pheromone product, such as Feliway Spray or plug in diffusers, may decrease any anxiety or aggression. Ideally, you will also need to provide a litterbox for each cat plus an additional box in a neutral area. Extra bowls, toys and beds should also be provided to prevent resource protection.

Most cats will settle down within a few weeks. Kittens do play rough and it can be hard to tell. If they willingly come together, play willingly and you don't see any bullying behavior (avoidance, hiding, arching the back and puffing up the tail) they are likely playing rough. If they play too rough they could injure each other by accident so continue to separate them when not supervised but most kittens will not require this. Giving each kitten one on one play time with you to burn energy, feeding out of a food puzzle and providing cats trees/other environmental stimulation can also help. Continue the current therapy as well. I hope this helps.

Hi and thanks for your post on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach this morning! I would start them out by introducing them both separately behind a closed door and having them eat on each side of the door. Do this several times. This way, they can associate the smells of each other with something great- meal time! After that has been done, I would introduce them in a enclosed safe area where they can be watched and monitored. Associate the introduction with a meal or play time. I hope this helps and best to you and Brandy!

Separate them for a few days, then gradually reintroduce them. First, allow them to sniff and hear each other through a closed door. Do this for ever increasing periods of time. Next, allow them to see but not reach one another. Progress to having one in a closed carrier in the same room. Correct any negative behavior immediately. Praise and reward them as they progress. Finally, a physical introduction can be attempted. A pheromone product, such as Feliway Spray or plug in diffusers, may help decrease any anxiety. You can also switch their bedding so they get used to the other's odor. Be patient and be consistent.