INTRODUCING CATS TO EACH OTHER GUIDE
Important steps that will help you to facilitate the transition and some tips for you to create a suitable environment for multiple cats without stress.
The aggresiveness between cats is often the reason for many failed adoptions and many cats are forced to return to their previous residence or even out on the streets. That's why you need to be careful about a few things, in order to succeed the gradual introduction process between them and form lasting relationships.
In addition to the other pets in your house, you also need to introduce it to the other human members of your family. All of these changes, a new home, new people and other animals, is certainly very stressful for anybody. Think how shocking all these changes would be for you, if suddenly, someone would place you, in an new and unknown environment.
Step One: UNDERSTANDING CAT BEHAVIOR
The domestic cat has evolved from solitary and territorial ancestors, whose instinct to defend their territory comes from the need to hunt adequate prey for survival. Although the modern domestic cats are more social and can live in groups, it's important to consider their history, to understand their nature and to give them some time to adapt to their new environment.
Step Two: Before you bring the cat in its new home
Don't forget litterboxes shouldn't be close to their food or water.
Reserve a room for the new kitty, as far as possible from the favorite spot of the resident cat(s), such as a bedroom, bathroom, or if there is some extra space in one of your rooms, use a pet-park that can easily be procured from any super-store or pet shop.
Provide a comfortable sleeping and hiding place such as a box or a bed for cats, a bowl with food, a bowl with water and a litterbox. Keep in mind, that cats don't like to eat near their litterbox, so ensure to place it far away from their food and water.
Step Three: Bringing the new cat in the house
- The transportation of your cat can be very stressful alone. Cats feel safe when they are surrounded by their own scent, so during their transport to their new home, place the towel or bed which it used to sleep in the carrier so it will be surrounded with a familiar scent during the whole transition.
- Uppon arrival, take the cat to her room immediately. Don't come in contact with any other residents of the house.
- Keep the cat in its carrier until you arrive in the room with closed doors.
- Place the bed or any other hiding place in a corner of the room (away from the litterbox) and place the carrier next to it.
- Open the carrier's door. Do not force the cat to come out. It will be scared and nervous.
- Leave the cat alone in the room. Let it calm down and explore its new house alone.
Don't let it come in contact with the resident cat(s) of the house.
Step Four: KNOWING EACH OTHERS SCENT
Cats communicate visually and by scent. You will need to initiate the acquaintance proccess by introducing ones scent to the other. This procedure will take a few days, so please be patient and do not rush them to confront each other.
Smell is the most important sense of a cat.
- Few hours later, on the first day, place the towel of your new cat's near the favorite spot of an existing cat or near its food and encourage it to get closer.
- If your cat starts growling, remove the towel and place it on the floor away from their bed or their food.
- Every day you move the towel a little closer to its bowl or its bed. Do the same thing with the new cat as well and introduce the scent of your existing cat(s).
- After a few days, swap their food bowls. They will slowly start to associate the positive state of eating with the scent of the other cat.
- Swap their scent between them by petting their cheeks with a cloth back and forward. It is important to rub their cheeks because they have glands that secrete a "friendly" hormone. As soon as it is completely used to the scent of the other cat's only then proceed with their visual introduction.
Step Five: VISUAL INTRODUCTION
- In the best case scenario, the door separating the cats will be replaced temporarily with a perforated divider or a security door for children (can also easily be procured from petshops). However, if this is not possible, open slightly the door of the room just enough to be able to smell and touch each others noses but without being able to pass.
- Encourage the cats to spend more time closer to each other using treats, from either side of the door or use a toy to engage them (avoid putting your hands between them).
- Once they look comfortable enough between them, like smelling each others noises, playing from either side of ther door or rubbing on it, then, only then you can proceed to the introduction of the new cat at the rest of the house. Attention, there should be no whining, no constant growling and hissing!
You can use two weights to keep the door open just enough to prevent them from passing.
Step Six: Removing the barrier
- Open the door and let them explore.
- If they start fighting, stop them by clapping your hands or making a loud noise to distract them.
- Do not disturb them or force them to interact with each other.
- Allow them to keep some distance from each other if they want.
Never punish any of the cats for showing aggression, instead you should turn a few steps back, seperate them and try reintroducing them by scent.
When should you contact your vet?
Watch out for bullying
Sometimes a cat may not leave the other cat(s) to pass through a door or to access their food bowl. You might notice growling when the other cat is trying to reach its food. Observe the cat if its avoiding some areas of the house. If you believe that there is bullying involved make sure that it has its own space and things such as a bed, litterbox and food bowls.
Expectations
To be honest new introductions may take more time than expected. The introduction and the creation of a relationship for some cats may take a few hours or a few months. Cats can play, groom, or just sitting and watch each other. Don't force them to do something they don't want.
