Will a male cat accept a female kitten?

Don't worry too much about the gender of the cats involved. Age and temperament are the most important factors. Adult cats will usually accept a new kitten much more easily than they will accept a new adult cat. Cats are territorial, and your cat may resent an adult feline intruder.


How do I get my male cat to like my female kitten?

8 Expert Tips to Help You Introduce a New Kitten to Your Cat
  1. Consider your cats' personalities. ...
  2. Introduce by scent first. ...
  3. Provide the cats separate space at first. ...
  4. Infuse calming influences. ...
  5. Be patient. ...
  6. Feed your kitten at the same time. ...
  7. Give your kitten her own litter box. ...
  8. Know when to play referee.


How long does it take a male cat to get used to a female kitten?

5. Stay Patient Through the Introductions. Many cats can learn to live together, but it's up to you to give them time to get used to the idea. You should expect the introduction process to take no less than a week but could take much longer depending on your cats' temperaments.


How do you introduce a female kitten to an older male cat?

7 Tips to Introduce a Kitten to an Older Cat
  1. Start to prepare before the kitten arrives. ...
  2. Introduce your cats by smell first. ...
  3. Let them see each other. ...
  4. Support a calm, patient introduction. ...
  5. Give treats. ...
  6. Watch how your pets react. ...
  7. Keep to a schedule to minimise stress.


How do older male cats react to kittens?

While older cats will occasionally take to a new kitten right away, they typically need a little time to adjust to the changes. Sometimes cats never fully accept a new kitten but will simply coexist, keeping to themselves away from the other cat in the house.


5 Tips on Introducing a Kitten to an Older Cat



Is it better to get a male or female kitten with an older male cat?

When introducing a new cat into your household, gender is generally less important than matching energy level, age, size, and personalities.

Should I let my cat hiss at the new kitten?

Some hissing is normal during this stage. Don't punish the cats for hissing or growling as that can form a negative association about the other cat, as well as you. Allow the cats to see each other once there has been no hissing for a couple of days.

Do male cats get along better with female cats?

Gender. Male (neutered) cats are generally believed to be more accepting of other cats, both male and female. Even though this has not been my experience, female cats may not get along as well with each other.


What do I do if my cat doesn't like my new kitten?

Separate the kitten into its own area, which is completely cut off from your older cat, for example in a spare room. This may seem counter-productive to getting them more used to each other, but your older cat will need time to settle down and re-establish their comfort level in their own home.

What happens if you introduce cats too quickly?

Introducing too quickly with little preparation will often lead to cats feeling threatened and scared, which increases the chance of aggressive behaviour being shown. Once cats feel this way about each other, it can be extremely difficult to change their minds.

Why do male cats hiss at female kittens?

Cats are territorial creatures. As a result, your resident, older cat likely feels that an uninvited cat is invading their home. In most cases, the older cat thinks that they own your home and that a new kitten is a threat to that. Therefore, they can act out to assert dominance and stake claims on their territory.


Do cats get jealous of new kittens?

Jealousy over the presence of another cat is very common. All cats have different personalities, and some will be made insecure and display jealousy more easily than others.

Do male cats care about kittens?

Male cats are not known to get along with kittens, even if they are the father. Of course, it's not impossible for a tomcat to care for his kittens, but there are many things that can go wrong.

Will a cat reject a kitten?

The mother cat may reject some or all of the kittens. Not only may she refuse to nurse a kitten; she may ignore them altogether or act aggressively when approached by a kitten. Sometimes the problem is not with the mother cat, but with a particular kitten, or multiple kittens.


How long will it take for my old cat to like my new kitten?

The introduction must be gradual. Following the initial introduction, it can take a very long time for a relationship to grow. It takes most cats eight to 12 months to develop a friendship with a new cat. Although some cats certainly become close friends, others never do.

Should I let my cat swat my kitten?

Don't Allow Fights

While they may want to fight, don't allow your cat to do anything more than hiss and swat at the kitten. If you're concerned that a fight is about to happen, distract the cats with a loud clap of your hands or a quick squirt of water.

Should I get a male cat if I already have a female?

As long as both pets are spayed or neutered, the sex of the cats doesn't matter; it's temperament and age you'll want to take into consideration.


How do I know if my cat needs another cat?

Does my cat need a friend?
  1. Clinginess. If your cat meows a lot, follows you around, and won't leave you alone, they may be asking for more social interaction. ...
  2. Excessive Grooming. ...
  3. A Shift in Sleeping Habits. ...
  4. Litter Box Issues. ...
  5. Odd Eating Habits. ...
  6. What should I do if one cat dies?


Is it better to have two female cats or a male and female cat?

It's suggested that you choose two male cats or a male and female combination if bringing home two kittens who are not already bonded as they tend to get along better than two females. Cats generally don't like eating close together, so consider placing your kittens' food bowls across the room from each other.

Can cats share a litter box?

And when they are doing something as private as elimination, sharing the same litter box can be stressful for some cats. Ideally, a multi-cat household should have the same number of litter boxes as the number of cats, plus one extra box; in other words, for two cats, there should be three litter boxes.


Do female cats get along better with male or female owners?

According to a new study, cats experience the greatest fondness for female owners. Cats attach to your veterinary clients—your female clients in particular—as social partners and it's not just because they want to be fed, according to research in the journal Behavioral Processes.

Do older male cats get along with kittens?

Don't worry too much about the gender of the cats involved. Age and temperament are the most important factors. Adult cats will usually accept a new kitten much more easily than they will accept a new adult cat. Cats are territorial, and your cat may resent an adult feline intruder.

How can I tell if my cat and new kitten get along?

How to tell if your cats get along with each other – six key behaviours to look for.
  1. They head-butt each other. Don't worry, not in an aggressive way! ...
  2. They groom each other. ...
  3. They snooze together. ...
  4. They touch noses. ...
  5. They hang out together. ...
  6. They have a rough and tumble.


Do cats get stressed when you get another cat?

with another cat, especially if they haven't grown up together, can be really stressful. Cats can often see other members of their species as 'competitors' rather than 'allies'. Signs of tension between cats can be quite subtle and so owners can easily not pick up on them.

How do male cats show dominance over female cats?

Dominant cats may attempt to establish their dominance in a multiple cat household by hissing, hitting, and growling. They may also urinate outside of the litter box in areas that the other cats frequent, push other cats out of the food bowl until they are done eating, and make the other cats feel threatened.