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The Possibilities
Ever hear of two's
company, three's a
crowd? This is what
felines might say
when their pet
parents bring home a
new kitten or cat.
Although not impossible, bringing older cats together, particularly when one has been a resident
cat for an extended period of time, is slightly more difficult. One or both cats may hiss and provoke fighting. One or both may begin defecating and/or urinating out of the litter box. Sometimes a cat with a happy, outgoing personality becomes shy or aggressive.
However, felines are social
creatures and may
benefit from being
raised with a
littermate
or being
raised
by Mom Cat.
The Problems
Introducing a new
cat to an
established
household cat or
cats is completely
different!
Cats bond to
and claim
territory. After
adopting a
household
and its
members into their
families,
cats are not
especially open
minded when it comes
to expanding the
family.
It is easier to
introduce a little
kitten than to
introduce a cat to
an established cat
in the household.
Think about it from
the cat's point of
view.
How would you feel
if a roommate
brought home someone
new to live
under your roof
sight unseen?
Cat do not embrace
change but for that
matter neither do
people!
What to do
The first step you
need to take, if you
are introducing a
new cat, is to add
more resources for
the existing cat or
cats. For example,
you need to add
litter boxes, food
dishes, climbing
trees, cat beds,
scratching posts and
toys.
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Felines don't always share,
well and you don't want your
felines fighting over
resources. |
The rule of thumb
for multiple cat
households is to set
up
one more litter
box than
number of
cats
and scoop all litter
boxes daily as a
minimum - twice
daily even better to
avoid cats
eliminating outside
of the litter boxes.
How to do it
First,
do not allow the new
cat free run of your
house. Instead, for
at least one week,
put the cat in small
room or bathroom
with his own food,
water, litter box,
climbing and
scratching post with
a resting area high
if possible or a cat
bed as far away from
the litter and near
the food.
Second,
feed other cats and
place cat treats and
toys on the opposite
side of the door to
give a first good
impression of what
the new cat means to
them.
Third.
gradually increase
the introduction by
exchanging toys.
Also, rub a dry
washcloth on each
cat's mouth and face
and then leave the
new cat's washcloth
outside of the new
cat's room and the
existing cat's
washcloth inside the
new cat's room. This
is called a scent
exchange. Cats
release natural
pheromones around
their mouths and
cheeks.
Fourth,
on week two,
begin
to allow the new cat
out to explore the
house while your cat
is confined behind a
closed door.
When
you do open the
small room door,
make it a positive
time of play,
affection for all
and treats.
SUPERVISE all
activity then put
the new cat back in
the small room.
Finally,
if there is no sign
of stress or tension
with steps one to
four above, begin
giving the new cat
more freedom,
perhaps one room at
a time each week so
allow the existing
cats to sort out
their territory
issues. Move the new
cat and resources
into the room the
cat's litter box
will remain in to
establish a
toileting location
Allow
the household cat out first to eat and explore around the new cat's kennel. Reward acceptable behavior with food treats. If hissing occurs go back to feeding them both in their kennels.
Tolerance increases
with time. Reduce your attention to both cats by only playing or giving treats when they show interest in each other. Play with them at the same time but use different toys. Stop play and separate on a positive note. Gradually increase their time together with supervision. When you have gone a few weeks with no negative interactions, you are ready to give them free roam together. It is a good idea to separate them when you will be gone if you have any doubts they will get along.
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