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In case you’re a cat mother or father who’s contemplating bringing a brand new kitten into the house, or in case you’ve already adopted one, you’re doubtless questioning how greatest to introduce your resident cat to their new member of the family. Introducing a new kitten to a resident cat might be difficult, and, relying on the cats’ ages and personalities, it could take days or months to take action efficiently. Nevertheless, it’s vital to introduce cats slowly and punctiliously to forestall aggression or combating.
Under are some tips and useful tricks to get your new feline members of the family off to begin and hopefully on their solution to changing into greatest buddies for the remainder of their lives.
The best way to Select a New Kitten to Deliver Residence
If in case you have but to undertake a brand new kitten, remember the fact that most cat specialists suggest introducing a new cat who matches the resident cat’s power stage, measurement, and persona. Bringing house a kitten when you have a senior or low-key grownup cat might be like asking a grandparent to babysit a toddler 24/7: The kitten will likely be unhappy not having a playmate, and the older cat will likely be pressured by the kitten asking to play continuously.
In reality, kittens are a lot happier in pairs, so in case you’re set on adopting a kitten, contemplate adopting two. It could appear overwhelming, nevertheless it might really be one of the best resolution for everybody, because the kittens will play with one another and go away your grownup cat to do their very own factor. Adopting two kittens may even assist them keep away from Single Kitten Syndrome.
Some cat specialists additionally consider that gender performs a small position in how two cats will get alongside and counsel two males or a male/feminine match work greatest. Neutering and spaying all cats, ideally two to 4 weeks earlier than the introduction, can be important so they’re totally recovered.
Regardless of which new kitten or cat you convey house, although, it’s vital to observe the steps beneath to efficiently introduce them to your resident cat.
The best way to Introduce a New Cat to Your Cat
Step One: Isolation
Confine the brand new cat to 1 room with a litter field, meals, water, and a mattress. Feed your present cat(s) and the newcomer on both aspect of the door to this room. Don’t put the meals so near the door that the cats are too upset by one another to eat. It will assist to start out issues out on the best foot by associating one thing pleasing (consuming) with every others’ presence. Regularly transfer the dishes nearer to the door till the cats can eat calmly immediately on both aspect.
You may also think about using the crate methodology, which primarily replaces a separate room with a really massive crate, which is particularly useful in case you dwell in an area that doesn’t have an sufficient separate room.
If in case you have adopted the brand new cat from an setting the place they might have been uncovered to sicknesses, akin to a shelter or the road, observe your vet’s suggestions in the course of this isolation. Typically your vet will check for FeLV and FIV after which suggest isolation for seven to 10 days. That will seem to be a very long time, nevertheless it won’t solely maintain your resident cat wholesome but additionally give your new cat an opportunity to get adjusted to their setting’s sounds and smells, bettering the possibilities that the primary face-to-face introduction along with your resident cat(s) will go properly.
Step Two: Scent / Signal Intro
After your new cat’s isolation interval is over, and also you’re positive your new cat is wholesome, you possibly can take the next steps. Advance to the following step solely in spite of everything cats are okay with one another throughout every step.
- Change sleeping blankets between the brand new cat and resident cat(s) to allow them to turn into accustomed to one another’s scent. Additionally, put the scented blankets beneath the meals dishes.
- Use two doorstops to prop open the door simply sufficient to permit the cats to see one another however not get out and repeat the feeding course of.
- Put the brand new cat in a safe cat service, and open the door so the resident cat can are available and sniff across the new cat’s room whereas the cat is within the service.
- Confine resident cats in one other room and let the brand new cat discover the remainder of the home. This change additionally permits the cats to expertise one another’s scent with no face-to-face assembly. It additionally permits the newcomer to turn into conversant in their new environment with out being frightened by different animals.
Step Three: First Assembly
Open the isolation room door, let your resident cat enter, and calmly observe. Enjoying calming music or speaking in a relaxed, pleasant voice to the cats could make it easier to really feel much less pressured, which can assist the cats, too. In case your cats like treats, give them numerous treats together with verbal reward. Some cats do greatest if distracted with their favourite toys, so they aren’t focusing too intently on one another.
When the cats are collectively, maintain a watch out for the next warning indicators:
- Hissing, puffy tails, and growling: Just a little little bit of this conduct is regular however ought to be minimal when you have taken the time to observe the steps above. Don’t give your cats the chance to accentuate; you are attempting to keep away from the cats associating one another’s presence with fearful or aggressive conduct. A nasty first impression might be tough to vary.
- Fearful or aggressive reactions: If both cat escalates their conduct to fixed hissing or growling, or if there’s any stalking (like they’re searching prey), cornering, swatting, or massive posturing shows of arched backs and fur puffed out, separate the cats again into their very own areas instantly. If it was only a hissing match, wait a number of hours and take a look at one other face-to-face assembly for a couple of minutes. If the aggression appeared critical, you will have to take a step or two again within the introduction course of.
If the assembly goes properly, let the cats spend as much as 10 minutes collectively (though much less time is okay, too). Then separate them again into their very own areas. Letting them keep whether it is going properly might be tempting, however it’s significantly better to not push it and have the primary assembly finish badly.
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How can I stop aggressive conduct throughout introductions?
The above strategy of slowly introducing your resident cat to a brand new cat will do lots to assist scale back aggression. Once you attain the step of a face-to-face introduction, chances are you’ll wish to have a water squirt bottle in a single hand and a blanket within the different in case you should intervene in a sudden assault. Supervise their interactions carefully always, and be affected person. It could take a while for the 2 cats to turn into mates, however most cats can be taught to dwell collectively peacefully with time and endurance.
Step 4: Slowly Enhance Time Collectively
In case your cats efficiently spend as much as 10 minutes collectively, you possibly can enhance their time collectively. For instance, your periods would possibly enhance to 2 periods of 10 minutes every on day two.
Proceed to look at your cats vigilantly, nevertheless, as a result of typically a gathering will appear to be going properly, after which there’s a spat. If a small spat happens between the cats, do not try and bodily intervene; cats could make numerous noise and roll round fairly dramatically with out both cat being injured. As an alternative, use a sprig bottle to squirt water on the cats to separate them. If that doesn’t do it, strive tossing a blanket over one in all them and shortly corralling the opposite cat out of the room. Give them each an opportunity to relax for a day or extra earlier than re-introducing them to one another.
When can I contemplate the introduction course of profitable?
You’ll be able to contemplate the introduction course of profitable whenever you observe indicators exhibiting that the cats are getting alongside, akin to greeting one another by sniffing or touching noses, headbutting or rubbing towards one another, grooming one another, and, after all, snuggling and sleeping collectively.
Extra New Cat Suggestions
When you’ve made it by way of the introduction course of, there are nonetheless some issues you are able to do to make sure your cats proceed to get alongside, together with:
- Maintain the second litter field within the isolation room even after the cats are out collectively. Be sure that not one of the cats are being “ambushed” by one other whereas attempting to make use of the litter field.
- If you wish to transfer the second litter field, achieve this steadily, a number of ft at a time, to the brand new location.
- Clear all litter packing containers extra continuously.
- Enhance the quantity of playtime and train each cats are getting to assist expend their power and maintain them calm.
- Maintain the resident cat’s schedule as shut as potential to what it was earlier than the newcomer’s look.
- Attempt utilizing calming merchandise to assist de-stress cats who exhibit indicators of stress.
FAQ (Individuals Additionally Ask)
How lengthy ought to I wait to introduce my cat to a brand new kitten?
Introducing a brand new kitten to a resident cat might be difficult, and, relying on the cats’ ages and personalities, it could take days or months to take action efficiently. Observe the above steps for a gradual introduction.
What if the cats nonetheless aren’t getting alongside after prolonged efforts?
In case your cats nonetheless aren’t getting alongside after prolonged efforts, you need to contemplate consulting a veterinarian to find out if underlying medical points are at play, and/or a licensed cat behaviorist. If the problem actually can’t be resolved, you would possibly contemplate rehoming your cat by way of Rehome by Undertake a Pet.
What are the warning indicators when introducing cats?
Warning indicators when introducing cats embrace hissing, puffy tails, and growling. Just a little of this conduct is okay, but when it escalates to fixed hissing or growling, or if there’s any stalking (like they’re searching prey), cornering, swatting, or massive posturing shows of arched backs and fur puffed out, the cats ought to be separated.
References
How Ought to I Introduce a New Cat or Kitten to My Current Cat
