http://www.purina.com http://www.kittenchow.com Bringing a new kitten home can be stressful for your existing pets as well as for your new kitten. With proper introductions, you can get your kitten and existing pets off on the right foot. The Kitten Connection features Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist and Purina Cat Chow Mentor Dr. Karen Sueda. Learn more about pets on The Purina Network www.youtube.com/thepurinanetwork and http://www.petcentric.com/

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The Kitten Connection featuring Dr. Karen Sueda brought to you by Purina Kitten Chow.

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Hi! Im veterinarian and Purina Cat Chow Mentor Doctor Karen Sueda. Bringing a kitten home is a fantastic adventure for everyone, but it can be a little stressful on existing pets and your new kitten. With careful, controlled introductions, we can get your kitten and your existing pets off on the right foot. If you already have an existing cat or dog, theyll probably exhibit a combination of curiosity and defensiveness toward the new kitten. Dont worry. This is a normal reaction to the strange new playmate youve just brought home. At first, make your introductions through a closed door. Sounds funny, but theyre getting to know each other through smell and sound. This helps your new kitten to adjust without becoming overwhelmed, and helps the other pets begin to process theres a new addition. Once theyve had a little time to sniff each other out, you can begin to make the introductions carefully and with supervision. Have a few kibbles on hand to reinforce that this relationship is a good thing. It may help to keep your dog on leash and have another person present to assist you with the introduction. Ask your dog to sit, lie down, or stay to keep her attention focused on you rather than the new kitten. This will allow her to explore while getting used to the sight of your canine companion. Provide your kitten with a private area away from your dog so she feels safe. This may be a separate room or cat tree. I discuss introducing kittens to resident cats in another video, but to reiterate: make the introduction slowly, use treats and play to reward calm interaction and provide multiple litterboxes, food, and water dishes to reduce competition. And regardless of whether you are introducing your kitten to a dog or cat, dont leave them together unattended until you are certain they can tolerate each other. Thanks for watching! And remember that giving your kitten lots of love and affection will help build the foundation for your happy, healthy life together.

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The Kitten Connection is brought to you by Purina Kitten Chow. To see more kitten care videos and even ask a mentor a question of your own, visit KittenChow.com.

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