Moving in Your Four Paws
INTRODUCING A CAT
When it comes to bringing new cats home, slow introductions are very important. Whether you have children, a dog, or another cat at home, first introductions could mark the difference between making a smooth transition.
When it comes to bringing new cats home, slow introductions are very important. Whether you have children, a dog, or another cat at home, first introductions could mark the difference between making a smooth transition.
Introducing your Cat to a Resident Cat
- The new cat and the resident cat must be separated initially. Set up a separate room for the new cat with food, water, a litter box and a scratching post. The door to the room must remain closed.
- Feed, pet, and play with both cats near the door of the separate room so that they can smell and hear each other through the door. They will associate these positive and pleasing actions with the scent and sounds of the other cat.
- After a few days, switch the locations of the cats so that they can continue to get used to the smell of each other. When you notice that both cats are comfortable with the scents and sounds of each other (no hissing or growling), open the door a small amount, but secure the door so the cats won't be able to open it. The point is to let the cats have a little visual access, but not full contact. As days pass, open the door a bit more, depending on both cat's behavior. Whenever they see each other, praise the cats with rubs and treats for positive associations.
- Finally, bring both cats together. Again, be very attentive to the cat's body language. Interactions between both cats have to be supervised. If they growl or hiss, make loud noises to distract them. Products, such as calming collars and holistic rescue remedies, might help alleviate their stress.
Introducing your Cat to a Resident Dog
- Consider the personality of your dog. If your dog tends to chase or bully other cats, then it may not be a good idea to bring a cat into your home. Conversely, if your dog has a history of good interactions with other animals, this could be the start of a great companionship story.
- The resident dog and the new cat should be separated at first. Confine the cat to a separate room. After a couple of days, let the scent swapping begin; confine the dog to the cat's room, and let the cat explore the house in order to smell the dog's scent.
- When both pets are calm, you can proceed with introductions.
- Let the cat and the dog be in the same room with you as you supervise the behavior. The dog must be leashed. Reward both pets if their behavior is calm and relaxed. If the pets stare at each other for too long, distract them with sounds and treats.
- Never leave your cat and dog together alone in the same space in the beginning stages. The cat must be confined.
- Unsupervised interaction may happen when both pets are relaxed around each other.
Introducing a Cat to your Children
- Share with your children the cat care information you have previously gathered.
- Integrate your children into the process of introducing the cat to the new home.
- Establish clear rules of when and how to play with the cat. Make it clear that the cat is not a toy, but is it a live animal.
- Assign simple chores to child-related cat care. For instance, your child can be in charge of keeping the cat’s bowl full of clean water.
- Explain to your child that when the cat comes home, it might be scared and it will need to get comfortable in the new environment.
- Let your child and cat spend short, supervised periods of time together until you see that they can be left alone.
Photo used under Creative Commons from David Blackwell.