Is it okay to adopt one kitten?
Despite the common belief that cats are solitary animals, they’re actually incredibly social beings who thrive when they have feline friends from an early age. That’s why I always recommend adopting two kittens, or adopting a solo kitten only if you already have another young cat in the home for the kitten to befriend.
Can male cats adopt other kittens?
Yes, it’s completely normal for adult male cats to adopt kittens, especially if the adult cat in question is neutered, but it happens with intact males too.
How do you raise a solo kitten?
7 Things to Do When Raising a Kitten
- Wait to Bring Him Home. Never take a kitten away from his mother and siblings before he is 8 weeks old.
- Provide Proper Nutrition.
- Socialize Your Kitten.
- Use Cat Toys, Not Hands.
- Handle Your Kitten Regularly.
- Avoid Overprotection.
- Restrict Your Kitten’s Space.
How did my male cat accept a male kitten?
The boisterous young cat been living with 3 adult females — Cricket, Kilah and Tikvah — and none of them had the slightest interest in playing with him. Not only did my male cat “accept” this male kitten, but they became best friends. Dervish would lie in wait under a chair or the bed, stretch out a long white paw and pull his new friend under.
When to adopt a kitten when you already have an adult cat?
On many cat sites I visit there are posts from people who decide to adopt a kitten when they already have a grown cat (10 years old in some cases). It seems that many times this causes a huge amount of stress and hostility in the current resident adult cat. It can even permanently change the adult cat’s personality (cause them to hide more).
Can a tom cat be a father to a kitten?
Occasionally a tom cat will show fatherly interest in kittens. If your mama cat has a new litter of kittens, you’ve probably been counseled by well-meaning friends and family to keep them safe from male cats. The story that male cats are notorious kitten killers has its basis in fact but that doesn’t mean that male cats never act fatherly.
How can I help our older cat accept our new kitten?
Your older cat may have a period of time when they try to establish a hierarchy with the new kitten. They may hiss and swat at the kitten when they do something your older cat does not want them to do. This is completely normal and as long as they are just hissing and swatting, do your best to not interfere.
Can a male cat take a male kitten?
For the rest of their lives together, Topaz really did treat the big black cat as his dad. Of course, there’s a certain protocol involved with 2 male cats (one older, one young) meeting for the first time. In her book It’s A Cat’s Life, Anitra Frazier describes the meeting between her male cat, Big Purr, and her foster kitten, Ralph.
Is it OK to adopt only one kitten?
If you’re set on adopting only one kitten, I recommend doing so only if you do have another playful cat in the home already. A kitten can certainly adapt to life with a young cat, and will benefit from the feline mentorship. However, I strongly advise against adopting a solo kitten into a home with no one for them to befriend!
How can I get my Cat to accept a new kitten?
Here are some tips that can increase your chances for establishing a peaceful multi-cat home. 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.
Occasionally a tom cat will show fatherly interest in kittens. If your mama cat has a new litter of kittens, you’ve probably been counseled by well-meaning friends and family to keep them safe from male cats. The story that male cats are notorious kitten killers has its basis in fact but that doesn’t mean that male cats never act fatherly.
