New kitten: Boy or girl? How to introduce to my existing cat and dog?

Question

Hello We're a family of four, plus our female cat (approximately 4 years old?) and female dog (2.5 years old) and we're getting another cat, this time a kitten. Should we get a boy or a girl and is there anything in particular we should be thinking about, when bringing it into our home? Thanks and kind regards Johanna L, Eastbourne. Pet's info: Dog | Spinone Italiano | Female | spayed | 2 years and 8 months old | 101 lbs

Rebecca, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hi. The gender of the kitten probably doesn't matter but many think male cats are sometimes friendlier. Be sure the kitten has been tested negative for Felv and FIV before coming home as you don't want to expose your older kitty. I would also make sure she has been treated for internal and external parasites for the same reasons. When you bring the kitten home I would recommend giving the kitten its own room for a bit to allow the other pets time to get used to it through a door. Make sure that it's not someplace your older cat loves to be though! Adult cats can take a while to get used to a new kitten. So be prepared to weeks to months of her not getting along. If it happens more quickly, GREAT! Also- to prevent future litter box issues. A good rule of thumb is one litter box for each cat plus 1. So if there is room in your house for 3 litter boxes that is ideal. Here are some articles that may help on introductions. Good luck. Hope this helps! http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1384 http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=46&S=1&SourceID=18

New kitten: Boy or girl? How to introduce to my existing cat and dog?

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