Introducing a new kitten into the home is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful for the other pets in your home.  Here are a few tips for minimizing the stress levels of pets and people during this period.

  1. Give the kitten its own food dish.  While cats aren’t as food aggressive as dogs, it can also be extremely upsetting for the existing cat to feel that the new kitten is stealing his food.  Providing a separate food dish for each animal will help to minimize this stress, not to mention help you to feed your kitten the correct kitten food.
  2. Provide plenty of fun cat toys for your kitten.  Kittens love to play, but being harassed by a playful kitten can really annoy an adult cat.  Make sure your kitten has plenty of toys — both the kind that she can use to play by herself, and interactive cat toys that you can use to play with her.
  3. Give it time.  Unlike dogs, cats are loners by nature.  They need some time to work out the new pecking order with the kitten.  Try to understand that it may take some time, maybe even as long as a year, in order for your other cats to truly like the kitten.

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