Pets Information

Tips for Introducing Two Cats


Adding a new member to your feline family is usually more exciting for you than your current cat. Even though they are solitary by nature, most cats eventually learn to accept or at least tolerate newcomers. Because they are very territorial, the way you go about introducing the new cat to your existing cat can mean the difference between success or "cat-astrophe."

The introduction process can take as little as 10-12 days for kittens and very young cats, to as long as 12 weeks for older cats. It all depends on each cat's personality. Be sure to give your "first" cat plenty of attention. This will help him feel secure that he is not in competition for your affection.

Confine your new cat to a "safe" room until the introduction process is complete. This should be a small room, such as a bathroom or small bedroom that your current cat rarely visits. Furnish it with a bed, scratching post, food, water and litter box.

In the beginning, your first cat may hiss and yowl at the cat on the other side of the door. Just ignore him and walk away. Never punish him for vocalizing aggressively, it will only cause trouble between the two cats. Be sure to praise and pet your first cat when he acts calmly when near the new cat's room.

After a few days, take a rag or washcloth and rub it over your new cat as you pet and play with her. Use a different rag to do the same thing with your first cat. At feeding time, put each cat's scented rag under the other cat's bowl. This will help them associate the other cat's scent with something positive-food. Lots of little feedings each day will help them get used to the smell more quickly. Be sure to renew the scent on the rags each day.

Next, you can feed them in closer proximity. Keep your new cat in her "safe" room with the door firmly closed, and place each cat's dish on their side of the door. Be sure to feed them at the same time. Once they both eat with no growling or hissing, you can move to the next level of the introduction.

Close your first cat in a room he likes to frequent, making sure he has water, some favorite food and a litter box. Let your new cat out to explore the house. After a few hours, put her back in her room and let your first cat out. He will probably hiss and fuss when he smells another cat's scent in HIS territory. Again, be patient and praise him when he acts calmly. Repeat this activity at least once a day until both cats seem comfortable.

Before you let the cats have full access to one another, let them come face to face in a safe situation. Use two hard plastic doorstops to jam the door to the new cat's room open a mere 2-3 inches. Check that the door can't be pushed open any further, and that neither cat can get its head through the opening. The object is to give them a chance to swat paws at one another and even go nose to nose without the opportunity for full body contact. Feed each cat on their respective side of the door. Once they no longer hiss or growl at one another, you can try playing with both of them in the same room.

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard.

This article is provided courtesy of MyPetAnimals.com - http://www.mypetanimals.com - a large and growing pet website featuring articles, tips, advice and shopping for popular pet supplies, toys and accessories.

This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.


MORE RESOURCES:

BellaDOG Magazine

Pampered Pet Business Booms in US
Voice of America
February 07, 2012 Pampered Pet Business Booms in US Americans spent $50 billion on their animals in 2011 Deborah Block | Fairfax County, Virginia At “A Dog's Day Out” in Alexandria, Virginia, people bring in their dogs to stay either for the day or ...
Consumers pamper pets with healthier productsCanadianBusiness.com
Big Pets Get Bigger: Latest Survey Shows US Dog and Cat Obesity Epidemic ExpandingMarketWatch (press release)
National Pet Day - April 11th {Pet Day USA}BellaDOG Magazine
Huffington Post
all 21 news articles »


French Tribune

A Bite as Healthy as Their Bark
Wall Street Journal
By LAURA JOHANNES Pet dental health, largely ignored by many owners, is moving into the spotlight. Many veterinarians are recommending you brush your pet's teeth, daily, just as you do your own. A wide array of "dental care kits" for cats and dogs are ...
Time to Brush Up! Petplan Pet Insurance Provides Toothy Tips Just in Time for ...San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Pet Dental Health Under the Spotlight in the USACosmetic Dentistry Guide (press release)

all 64 news articles »


Pet Friendly Hotel of the Year Award Winner New York's Hotel Pennsylvania ...
MarketWatch (press release)
7, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- As the 2012 Pet Friendly Hotel of the Year award winner and host hotel for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, New York's Hotel Pennsylvania has become the only hotel to stay at for the Westminster Dog Show.
Purely Products to Sponsor VIP Pet Bags and Allergy-Free Home Makeovers at the ...Business Wire (press release)

all 10 news articles »


Delta Society(R) Is Now Pet Partners(R)
MarketWatch (press release)
BELLEVUE, Wash., Feb 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Delta Society(R), one of the world's oldest and largest human-animal interaction organizations, is now Pet Partners(R). The renaming is part of the organization's new brand strategy to achieve greater ...
Delta Society® Is Now Pet Partners®Business Wire (press release)

all 4 news articles »


ChicagoNow (blog)

Pet Food Product Recalls, U.S. Senator Expresses Concerns
ChicagoNow (blog)
At a news conference on February 6 in Cleveland, Brown was joined by Kevin Thaxton, whose 10 year-old pug, Chancey, passed away unexpectedly after eating chicken jerky pet treats. But Thaxton didn't know why his dog died at that time and fed the same ...
Northeast Ohio pet owners want fast FDA action on pet treats from ChinaPlain Dealer
Concerns about potentially tainted pet treatsWTAM.com
Brown, Kucinich Seek FDA Action to Protect Dogs From 'Tainted' TreatsCleveland News - Fox 8

all 5 news articles »


Bothell dog therapist helps pets get fit
TheNewsTribune.com
Josie's owner, So Scazafavo, began a program of pet therapy at Wag Wellness in Bothell. Josie can't twirl around like a ballerina like she used to, but she has regained some of the use of her hind legs and is doing really well, Scazafavo said.
Bothell dog therapist helps injured, overweight pets regain mobility with ...The Republic

all 12 news articles »


Pet Product Marketing magazine

Protect pets from Siberian weather
Pet Product Marketing magazine
With warnings of Siberian temperatures as low as -11C predicted in the coming weeks, a leading veterinary charity is urging pet owners to take precautions to protect their four-legged friends from the worst of the weather. Despite their warm fur coats, ...
Taking care of your aging pet: an owner's guide to geriatric pet health and ...La Jolla Light
West Greenwich Veterinarian Unleashes New Animal Hospital WebsiteMarketWatch (press release)

all 5 news articles »


PR Web (press release)

Why People Don't Fix Their Pets
Patch.com
February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and veterinarians and advocates have answers and aid for unsure pet owners. By Therra C. Gwyn Millions of kittens (and puppies) end up homeless on the streets and in shelters because of the problem of pet ...
Royal Pet Club Announces Partnership With Animal Aid to Donate Profits to ...PR Web (press release)
Sex and the Kitty: Discounted pet spay/neuters during FebruaryExaminer.com
Pets of the WeekSt. Augustine Record
GoLocalProv -Mail Tribune -Today's THV
all 12 news articles »


Critter Cleaners, All Pet Pantry Open on State Street
Patch.com
The pet grooming business and feed store now share a space at 1120 State St. in the Chipain's Shopping Plaza. By Amanda Luevano Critter Cleaners, the pet grooming business formerly located in downtown Lemont, opened its doors at a new location on State ...

and more »


Lynnfielders Help PAWS Pets Find Homes
Patch.com
By William Laforme Since this website went online in late 2010, it has run regular columns from PAWS (Protection of Animals in Wakefield Society) highlighting the various pets, mostly cats in this case, that need a home. The local nonprofit recently ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map | First Rate Hosting
© 2006 First Rate Hosting

Powered By First Rate Hosting