Post by Admin on Dec 20, 2020 19:30:47 GMT 5.5
When bringing a new cat home to meet your resident cat, it’s never a good idea to just throw them into a room together. That can be scary for both of them! Go slow and introduce them. For both animals this can be a stressful time. A gradual introduction process is important for them to build a friendship.
1 – Cat Smells Cat
Successful introductions take time. DO NOT and we repeat DO NOT try to introduce the new addition to your resident cat immediately upon arrival. You may damage the new relationship irreparably and initiate fear, anger, aggression, spraying and litter box problems in the new cat and/or resident cat. Successful introductions take time.
Keep them in separate rooms. Let the cats sniff out the situation. Let “smell” be the first introduction as the cats sniff each other from under the “safe room” door. Within two to four days, begin exchanging the bedding between the new and resident cat daily. This helps familiarize the cats with each other’s scents.
2 – Cat Continues to Smell Cat
Let the sniffing continue. If there are no marked signs of aggression from the cats, such as hissing and growling, the next step is to exchange your resident cat and the new cat's space. Let your new cat explore your house for a couple of hours each day while you keep your resident cat in new cat's room.
Phase 3 – Cat Sees Cat
3 – Organize a carrier meeting. Place your new cat in a carrier and put the carrier in a location of your home outside of the safe room (for example, the living room). Allow the cats to look at each other and sniff through the carrier door.
If you see any signs of aggression like hissing or growling, keep the visit short and return the new cat to its safe room.
Repeat this phase 2 to 3 times daily if possible, until cats appear to be more comfortable with each other.
4 – Cat Meets Cat
Let the cats meet at their own pace. If there are no signs of aggression between cats, leave the door to the safe room open a crack. This will allow the new cat to explore and/or your resident cat to visit. Supervision is necessary for the safety of both cats.
In case of aggression, have a spray bottle filled with water or a towel handy. Always stop serious threats and/or aggression immediately, as a serious fight may damage the potential for successful integration and relationship.
If over a period of weeks your integration plan is not going well, consider the installation of a screen door. The screen door allows the cats to continue to get to know each other by sight and smell, while keeping both parties safe. Each cat can take turns in the screened room.
5 – Integration Complete
You may notice some occasional hissing, swatting and grouchy behaviour over the next few months (and years). This is normal. Cats are hierarchical by nature and must establish and affirm the pecking order within your household. Plus, much like humans, all cats have the occasional “off” day.
Please watch these great videos on introducing cats:
Jackson Galaxy's "How to Introduce Cats" : www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsYT7yIOdqQ
Kitten Lady's "Safely Introducing Kittens (From Different Litters!)" www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vZiorgO5Q8
1 – Cat Smells Cat
Successful introductions take time. DO NOT and we repeat DO NOT try to introduce the new addition to your resident cat immediately upon arrival. You may damage the new relationship irreparably and initiate fear, anger, aggression, spraying and litter box problems in the new cat and/or resident cat. Successful introductions take time.
Keep them in separate rooms. Let the cats sniff out the situation. Let “smell” be the first introduction as the cats sniff each other from under the “safe room” door. Within two to four days, begin exchanging the bedding between the new and resident cat daily. This helps familiarize the cats with each other’s scents.
2 – Cat Continues to Smell Cat
Let the sniffing continue. If there are no marked signs of aggression from the cats, such as hissing and growling, the next step is to exchange your resident cat and the new cat's space. Let your new cat explore your house for a couple of hours each day while you keep your resident cat in new cat's room.
Phase 3 – Cat Sees Cat
3 – Organize a carrier meeting. Place your new cat in a carrier and put the carrier in a location of your home outside of the safe room (for example, the living room). Allow the cats to look at each other and sniff through the carrier door.
If you see any signs of aggression like hissing or growling, keep the visit short and return the new cat to its safe room.
Repeat this phase 2 to 3 times daily if possible, until cats appear to be more comfortable with each other.
4 – Cat Meets Cat
Let the cats meet at their own pace. If there are no signs of aggression between cats, leave the door to the safe room open a crack. This will allow the new cat to explore and/or your resident cat to visit. Supervision is necessary for the safety of both cats.
In case of aggression, have a spray bottle filled with water or a towel handy. Always stop serious threats and/or aggression immediately, as a serious fight may damage the potential for successful integration and relationship.
If over a period of weeks your integration plan is not going well, consider the installation of a screen door. The screen door allows the cats to continue to get to know each other by sight and smell, while keeping both parties safe. Each cat can take turns in the screened room.
5 – Integration Complete
You may notice some occasional hissing, swatting and grouchy behaviour over the next few months (and years). This is normal. Cats are hierarchical by nature and must establish and affirm the pecking order within your household. Plus, much like humans, all cats have the occasional “off” day.
Please watch these great videos on introducing cats:
Jackson Galaxy's "How to Introduce Cats" : www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsYT7yIOdqQ
Kitten Lady's "Safely Introducing Kittens (From Different Litters!)" www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vZiorgO5Q8