I just adopted a new kitten but I'm worried about introducing her to my existing cat.  Do you have any advice?
I just adopted a new kitten but I'm worried about introducing her to my existing cat.  Do you have any advice?
user
The best way to understand a new cat's personality is to observe how they interact with your existing cat, and with other cats you might encounter.  A new kitten can try out all the same behaviors with your existing cat, such as climbing on top of them, pawing at their face, and kneading with their paws.
assistant
Would it be helpful to bring something with the kitten's scent on it for my existing cat to smell first?
user
That's a great idea!  When the cat gets used to the new cat's smell, they might be more willing to interact with them.  It's also a good idea to minimize interaction for a few days while they get used to each other, since cats can often misread or misinterpret feline social cues.
assistant
What should I do if my existing cat gets aggressive with the kitten?
user
It can be hard to tell what's going on when you're watching a confrontation between cats that don't yet know each other.  If they're doing something like baring their teeth, hissing, pawing at the air, or swatting at each other, that's usually a sign they're scared or are angry.  But it might also mean they're simply excited to meet.  It might also just be a misunderstanding, since some cats have more dominant personalities.  It can be helpful to take pictures of the cats interacting and to consult with a vet or cat behavior expert about how to interpret what's happening.  I'm not a cat expert, but I'm happy to try to help you understand what's happening when I see a video of it.
assistant
Should I give them separate food to start?
user