How to Introduce Your New Lapdolls Kitten to a Resident Cat
- Lapdolls Cattery
- Jun 16
- 2 min read
From Lapdolls Ragdoll Cattery
Bringing home a new kitten is exciting, but proper introduction to your resident cat is key to a smooth and peaceful transition. Here’s a step-by-step guide we recommend for all our families:
1. Prepare a Separate Safe Room
Set up a quiet room just for your new kitten:
Litter box
Food & water bowls
Toys and bed
Scratching post
Let your kitten adjust for the first 2–3 days. This is important for:
Stress recovery after travel
Gradual scent exchange
Health observation
2. Scent Introduction (First 2–4 Days)
Before they meet face-to-face, help them get used to each other’s smell:
Rub both cats with the same soft towel or blanket
Swap their bedding
Allow your resident cat to sniff under the kitten’s door
This builds curiosity and familiarity without threat.
3. Visual Introduction
After 3–5 days of calm behavior:
Use a cracked door, baby gate, or carrier to allow a short visual interaction
Watch body language (calm tail, relaxed ears = good signs)
Keep sessions short and positive
Give treats and praise to both cats to build positive association.
4. Supervised Face-to-Face Meetings
Once they seem curious and calm:
Allow short, supervised visits in a neutral area
Keep first sessions under 10 minutes
Don’t force interaction — let them set the pace
If one cat hisses, growls, or swats, calmly separate and try again later
Repeat 1–2 times daily, gradually increasing time together.
5. Monitor and Adjust
Most Ragdolls adjust well within 1–2 weeks, but every cat is unique. Look for:
Gentle play or mutual grooming = bonding!
Occasional hissing = normal at first
Prolonged aggression or fear = slow down the process
Always give both cats equal attention to avoid jealousy.
Final Tips from Lapdolls:
Don’t rush — slow and calm introductions lead to lifelong friendships
Use pheromone diffusers (like Feliway) to reduce stress
Provide multiple litter boxes and feeding stations at first
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