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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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When Haley and her boyfriend decided to add a new family member, they weren't prepared for the picture-perfect feline friendship that resulted.
Tiny ginger stray Butters arrived at the Florida home after being found wandering alone in the local neighborhood. With tufted ears and an insatiable curiosity, Butters was quickly brought up to good health, but Haley wasn't sure that he would be as accepted by his future big sister.
"Sweetie is the calico; she is 2 years old and was found in a junkyard as a kitten when we adopted her," Haley told Newsweek. "She's incredibly playful, and we thought she might enjoy having a companion."
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Instead, Sweetie was initially terrified of the newcomer. Perched on high shelves and watchful ledges, she would observe Butters from a safe distance, creeping up only when he was distracted by toys. But, within days, her caution gave way to something beautiful.
"She started bathing him, playing with him—he even tried to nurse on her," Haley said. "Now they're inseparable."
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How to Introduce a Kitten to a Cat
Adding a kitten to the family home can be great company for a current pet, but introductions should be done with caution to ensure a good relationship.
"Introducing a kitten to an adult cat requires making sure the cat doesn't get overwhelmed by the energetic little newcomer," cat behavior expert Pam Johnson-Bennett previously told Newsweek.
It is a good idea to set up the newcomer in a separate room and do a gradual introduction. Even if the cats seem ready to make friends, slow introductions are always safest with felines.
It can also help to swap scents between the two, giving them a blanket or cloth that the other has used so they can get used to each other.
Now firmly introduced, Butters and Sweetie are barely seen apart. "He copies all of her behaviors, she's really been teaching him how to be a house cat," Haley said.
Delighted by the pair's instant friendship, Haley shared pictures of them on Reddit's r/cats subreddit, where they gained more than 49,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments.
"Sorry OP [original poster], that's no longer your kitten, that's her kitten now," said one commenter.
Another Reddit user wrote: "Cute! They're buddies."
With no kids in the household, Sweetie and Butters enjoy undivided affection and more toys than most toddlers. And, according to Haley, there may be even more paws pattering in the future: "We might even add another kitty to the mix eventually," she said.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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