Today's topic is Cats: Introducing a New Kitty to Your Crew!
When you decide to add a new cat to your home, it's normally more exciting for you and your family than it is for the cat you already own. Although most cats are
solitary by nature, most will also come to accept or eventually tolerate any
additions. Cats can be very territorial, which is why you should always be
careful when you introduce a new cat to your current cat.
If you are introducing kittens to one another, the entire introduction process can
be short, lasting as little as 10 - 15 days. Introducing cats to each other all depends on their temperament and their personality. When you introduce a new cat to your current cat, you should always make sure that you give your current cat plenty of love and attention. This way, your cat will feel secure and know that he isn't in competition with your new cat for affection.
When you bring your new cat home, you should let him stay in a safe room until you
have finished introducing the cats. Your safe room can be any small room in your
home, such as a bathroom or spare bedroom. The key here is to use a room that
your current cat doesn't go in. In the room, you should leave your new cat a
scratching post, bed, water dish, litter box, and food dish filled with crunchies.
At first, your current cat may howl and hiss when he stands at the door, trying to
tell the other cat that he doesn't belong. When this happens you should ignore
it, as punishing your cat for his behavior will only lead to more problems.
After a while, the first cat will start to act calm when he is near the new
cat's door. As he starts to act calm, you should pet him and give him
praise.
When your first cat starts to go by your new cat's door and doesn't howl or hiss; you
can start introducing them to each other. The best way to do this is to get them
used to each others scent. You can start letting them eat out of the same food
dish, although you'll want to feed them at different intervals at first. This
way, the scent of each cat will be present at the food dish, and each cat will
get the scent when he eats his food.
Once both cats have got used to the scent, you can begin to feed them closer
together. To do this, you should keep your new cat in the safe room with the
door closed, and your first cat on the other side of the door with his food
dish. This time, feed both cats at the same time. After doing this a few times,
they should start eating without any hissing or growling. At this point, they
are ready to be introduced to one another.
When you introduce them to each other in the same room, a bit of growling and hissing
is to be expected. Although they may be used to each others scent; your first
cat will still feel a bit awkward with your new cat being in his territory. You
should play with them both at first, so they can smell one another and greet in
their own way. If they start to fight you should break them up, (Be careful! Perhaps wearing a good sturdy pair of gardening gloves would be a good idea just in case!) and give them some time apart.
It may take some time to get them fully used to one another, although once they do
- they will become playmates for life. Cats love to be social, although it may
be a bit rough at first, especially for your first cat. Cats can be very
territorial, especially if you have a kitten around. If you get both of them
used to each other early on it will be a lot easier to add future cats to your
home.
When you decide to add a new cat to your home, it's normally more exciting for you and your family than it is for the cat you already own. Although most cats are
solitary by nature, most will also come to accept or eventually tolerate any
additions. Cats can be very territorial, which is why you should always be
careful when you introduce a new cat to your current cat.
If you are introducing kittens to one another, the entire introduction process can
be short, lasting as little as 10 - 15 days. Introducing cats to each other all depends on their temperament and their personality. When you introduce a new cat to your current cat, you should always make sure that you give your current cat plenty of love and attention. This way, your cat will feel secure and know that he isn't in competition with your new cat for affection.
When you bring your new cat home, you should let him stay in a safe room until you
have finished introducing the cats. Your safe room can be any small room in your
home, such as a bathroom or spare bedroom. The key here is to use a room that
your current cat doesn't go in. In the room, you should leave your new cat a
scratching post, bed, water dish, litter box, and food dish filled with crunchies.
At first, your current cat may howl and hiss when he stands at the door, trying to
tell the other cat that he doesn't belong. When this happens you should ignore
it, as punishing your cat for his behavior will only lead to more problems.
After a while, the first cat will start to act calm when he is near the new
cat's door. As he starts to act calm, you should pet him and give him
praise.
When your first cat starts to go by your new cat's door and doesn't howl or hiss; you
can start introducing them to each other. The best way to do this is to get them
used to each others scent. You can start letting them eat out of the same food
dish, although you'll want to feed them at different intervals at first. This
way, the scent of each cat will be present at the food dish, and each cat will
get the scent when he eats his food.
Once both cats have got used to the scent, you can begin to feed them closer
together. To do this, you should keep your new cat in the safe room with the
door closed, and your first cat on the other side of the door with his food
dish. This time, feed both cats at the same time. After doing this a few times,
they should start eating without any hissing or growling. At this point, they
are ready to be introduced to one another.
When you introduce them to each other in the same room, a bit of growling and hissing
is to be expected. Although they may be used to each others scent; your first
cat will still feel a bit awkward with your new cat being in his territory. You
should play with them both at first, so they can smell one another and greet in
their own way. If they start to fight you should break them up, (Be careful! Perhaps wearing a good sturdy pair of gardening gloves would be a good idea just in case!) and give them some time apart.
It may take some time to get them fully used to one another, although once they do
- they will become playmates for life. Cats love to be social, although it may
be a bit rough at first, especially for your first cat. Cats can be very
territorial, especially if you have a kitten around. If you get both of them
used to each other early on it will be a lot easier to add future cats to your
home.
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