Question : We have a large male cat, Mako, who is about 5 years old.   We were thinking about getting a kitten.  After reading your recent column about multiple-pet homes, buying a female kitten seems like the best choice.

Our male cat is very used to my husband and I and he gets a lot of attention from us.   I am worried it he will rebel or try to hurt a kitten if we brought one home. He doesn't seem too like other animals very much.   We have one friend that has a small dog, that our cat tolerates. I don’t want to upset Mako and just wondered if I should attempt to get a kitten.

Answer: It sounds like Mako might be willing to accept an additional cat as he already tolerates a dog. Remember that this is no guarantee. I've included some detailed info for introducing a new cat to a resident cat.

Resident cats that have been exposed to other cats while growing up may adjust more readily to a new housemate. The best way to avoid conflict between cats is to carefully prepare for the first encounter. The resident cat may adjust to the newly introduced cat with less confrontation if they are able to share the house -- but at different times of day, and without being in each other's direct presence at first.

Ideally, you will have adopted a kitten from a reputable source, and she will have been tested for feline leukemia/FIV and parasites, and vaccinated. For the first few days, keep the new cat confined to one room (not your bedroom if this is your resident cat’s space). Provide fresh food, water and litter daily. Make frequent visits to spend time playing, feeding, petting, and generally interacting with the kitten during its isolation.

Give it time to adjust to this one location, where it is guaranteed emotional and physical security. This will also help you establish a positive relationship with your new pet without distraction. This phase goes quickly with a kitten.

Meanwhile, your resident cat will sense traces of the intruder on your clothing and skin. The new pet's odor and sounds will alert your resident cat to its presence. During this period, spend extra time with Mako, engaging in favorite activities in an effort to relieve any anxiety and minimize tension.

There will be alot of under-the-door sniffing going on. Once there is less growling, hissing, or spitting by the door it's time to move on.

Next, confine Mako, with its own food, water, and litter box, to a favorite location (this is frequently your bedroom because it is associated so strongly with you).

Now, allow the new cat to explore the house for brief times while the resident cat is confined to the bedroom. Gradually increase the periods of free roam for the new cat. Do this in days to weeks, --not hours.

Feeding tends to relieve an animal's feelings of anxiety so your first interaction between the two cats should coincide with a mealtime.

Let out the new kitty from her room and follow her so that you will be present when the cats first see each other. Some hesitation and hissing are to be expected from either or both cats. Don't interfere unless the smaller kitty looks in danger of being mauled and be careful! This is when you will get bitten or scratched, so make sure there are safe escape routes.

Feed the cats in each other's presence, placing their food dishes at a comfortable distance apart. Wait only a few minutes after they have eaten to confine the cats to their quarters until the next scheduled mealtime.

If either or both cats seem so disturbed that they do not eat in the other's presence, remove the food bowls and confine each to its own save place. Try again when both cats are calm. Try again the next day. As things settle down, allow them to spend progressively longer periods together after they have eaten each meal.

Gradually, move their food dishes closer to each other at successive meals. If problems occur at any time during the introduction process, return to the preceding step as described above. Be patient. Some cats are less sociable toward others and less willing to share their territory.

I know this seems like alot of work, but most cats live to be 12 to 14 years old, so we're talking about establishing a long lasting and hopefully rewarding friendship between two pets who will be your best friends too.