Therefore, you should block off any small areas that your cats may try to hide in. The original Feliway formula mimics the feline facial pheromone, making cats feel as if they have already marked a certain surface as their own using the scent glands in their jowls. The ThunderShirt can serve two purposes: (1) having a calming and humbling effect on the aggressor while inhibiting some of their aggressive displays and (2) building confidence in the opposing party by allowing the two cats to spend time together without the threat of attack. When introducing cats to each other, it is essential to take things slow and steady. The adage about how difficult it is to herd cats is steeped in truth. After successfully doing this a few times, you can allow the existing cat(s) into the new cats safe room to explore while the new cat has run of the house. If, on the other hand, they think of the interrupter as a game, it is obviously not effective. You should provide the new cat with a few days to get comfortable in their new home before starting any introductions. Once you have successfully interrupted the squabble and shifted focus onto something appropriate, lure the new cat back to the safe room and end the session. You want the fight to happen in the open where you can intervene. Your cats should be kept in completely separate areas at first. Introduce cats to each other. We recommend using Comfort Zone with . Step four: Exchange scents around the house. They should never be forced to share coveted basic needs such as food, water, litter, and perches. Use whatever the individuals find motivating; it does not always have to be about food! Even if you have the best intentions, bringing a new cat into a home where another cat resides can be a disaster if the newcomer isnt introduced in a way that helps your resident cat accept or even welcome her. Continue to feed both cats close to their respective sides of the door. PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. This will encourage them to be close together while they're doing something that makes them feel good. Your current cat will not feel as threatened and will be . In addition, it is recommended that you temporarily assign the new cat its own room (preferably one that is not heavily trafficked). 10 Warning Signs When Introducing Cats to Each Other - CatVills Keeping the cats separated at first will make the transition easier for both of them. Some say their cats got along beautifully from day one (not that they should have even met that quickly), and others say it took six months or more before they finally lived peacefully under the same roof. 2. You can do this by simply cracking the door or setting up a screen door. 14 Ways Cats Show Their Love. If any aggressive behavior occurs at any time, begin the introduction process again. The next step is to rotate rooms daily for at least 2-3 days. Before bringing a new cat into your home, it is important to recognize that this will probably take a little bit of time and effort to make everything happen smoothly. How to Introduce Cats Fast Quickest Timeline - Jess Caticles You should have sight blockers prepared for physical introductions. If they successfully get over the gate even once, it will be more and more difficult to deter them. This commonly recommended technique often results in an incredibly negative first encounter. Start with positive reinforcement exercises on either side of the safe room door. After each of your cats . The cats should be fed in each area with wet food twice daily, and . Having two cats that fight can be extremely stressful for the whole household. Attacking or fighting. Two cats touching noses for the first time, a very high form of affection in cat speak! House the new cat in a separate room for at least seven days with food, water, comfortable bedding, a litter box (es), and all of the necessities to keep him happy and healthy. If you are committed to finding a specific breed of cat, be sure to find a reputable breeder to deal with. Introducing a New Cat Into Your Home - Cat Friendly Homes The next step is to open the separating door, but keep a gate of some sort across it so they can see, smell and have contact with each other. Feed canned food on either side of the door, two or three times a day, so that the existing cats start to associate the new cats with something they like a lot. Scent is absolutely critical to getting cats used to each other. How to get cats acquainted? Explained by FAQ Blog Introducing Cats to Cats - American Humane Before bringing your new cat home, we recommend that you: Step three: Feed them on opposite sides of the door. Warning signs when introducing cats: Hissing, growling and snarling are signs the meeting isn't going well. A nonprofit working every day to save homeless pets, Best Friends recently was named to Fast Companys lists of Brands That Matter and World's Most Innovative Companies for its impactful and innovative work to end the killing of dogs and cats in Americas shelters by 2025. Treats and Catnip are shared experiences that can help too if you have not tried yet. Introducing New Adult Cats | VCA Animal Hospital It's nice to have a buddy by your side as you ponder life. Some examples of good interrupters are clapping hands, whistling, a noisy plastic bag, or a shake can (you can put pennies in an empty soda can, or add nuts or bells to make it extra noisy). You also can feed them treats and wet food on the opposite sides of the door. Cats being introduced with the safety of a baby gate. Choose a space where your cats can smell each other but can't see each other. Re-introducing cats is often nearly impossible, as cats will remember disliking the other one. Youll need more litter boxes too. You want to ensure that you see all their interactions and know exactly what is going on. The key to introducing cats to each other is to TAKE IT SLOWLY. Carry your new cat out of the room and put your current cat . Close the door. Between sessions, DO NOT leave up the visual barriers and leave the cats unattended. Dairy products: cheese, plain yogurt, vanilla ice cream, cream cheese, or milk, Various cat treats or even a different dry food as a treat, Varied and delicious suggestions recommended in the . 3. Simply put, its a warning saying, Please back off, and do not come any closer.. Most cats are not welcoming toward a new feline in their home. If not, leaving a living room door ajar, and letting the cats see another through the opening will also suffice. If things go south, place it between your cats. Some people say cats are like chips you cant have just one! Continue feeding both cats on their respective sides of the door, and continue switching them back and forth. Warning Signs When Introducing Cats + How-To Guide! - HolistaPet Allow them to establish their own boundaries - it is only natural, although you may need to play referee at times. Given the sensitivity of a cats sense of smell, this can be extremely insulting. And by the way, your new cat will let you know when he's ready to move out of base camp and . Anxitane, made by Virbac Animal Health, contains the same ingredients in tablet form. Do NOT move closer together or increase visual access if they are exhibiting these negative behaviors. You are paying your cats to like each other! Making Friends: How to Introduce Cats to Each Other One way to introduce a new cat or kitten to an existing cat is through slow interaction. Elevate timid cats to increase their confidence. When the cats are tolerant of each others presence, give lots of positive reinforcement in the form of words, toys, and food. The cats must be able to see one another. Second Step: Letting Them See Each Other. We're going to be frank here: You probably won't be able to introduce two cats to each other quickly, especially if they're both adults and have had no prior interactions. And bonded pairs of cats becom. Put other cats away before you bring the new cat home, so that you can take the cat to its room without encountering the other cat(s). The initial process should take at least two weeks and, assuming that you see no signs of aggression at the door (no hissing, growling, etc. If you make a loud sound, and they run and hide under the bed for three hours, you have instilled far too much fear. During the introductory stage, you will probably notice that the original cats in your household are very curious about the other cat behind the door. If your cat has lived with other cats and starts rolling on the floor soliciting interaction, you may have one cat ready for a new friend, says Sherry. If both cats are eating well, and appear calm and relaxed on their respective sides of the door, then its time for the big scent exchange: If either cat appears stressed, nervous or fearful, you might want to do the exchange described above multiple times, for example: If everything seems to be going well, and everyone is acting, eating and using the litter box normally, youre doing great! They can discover where food, water, and litter are located without the threat of bumping into one of the other cats. The cats must be able to see one another. Hills Rx a/d and Royal Canins Rx recovery food, Low-sodium chicken broth, tuna water, or oyster juice. Continue using all of the tools that have worked so far: food, toys, treats, and games. How to introduce new cats to each other? | What a Veterinarian thinks For example, start by letting them smell each other with a closed door between them. The Do's and Don'ts of Introducing Cats to Each Other - Jackson Galaxy Introducing cats takes quite a while, so dont rush things. American Humane is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. The goal of this product is to strengthen the relationship or build a bond with cats in the home and make them recognize each other as a more cohesive group. Once your cats are fine with each other with the barrier in place, you can put them in the same room. Cats can coexist together most of the time, even if theyre not the best of friends, as long as they are introduced slowly and positively and there are enough resources throughout the home. Thundershirt being used to humble the aggressive cat. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. Best Friends Animal Society Facebook Page, Best Friends Animal Society Instagram Page, Best Friends Animal Society Pinterest Page, Best Friends Animal Society LinkedIn Page, Best Friends Animal Society YouTube Channel, Best Friends Animal Society Twitch Channel, Combating Puppy and Kitten Mills with Legislation, Contingency Plans for Community Cat Caregivers, Economic Impact of Breed-restrictive Legislation (BSL), Dog Breed Restrictions by Insurance Companies, End Breed-Restrictive Practices by Insurance Companies, Our New Pet Resource Center in Northwest Arkansas, Best Friends in Los Angeles (Mission Hills). If the introduction goes well and there is no fighting, hissing or change in appetite or . DO NOT put the carrier down and allow your cats to circle the new cats like prey. The height will make them feel more secure and in control. Slowly introduce the cats to each other. PDF How to Introduce Cats to Each Other - fundamentallyfeline.com At first, you can try feeding them on opposite sides of the same door. After a few days, switch the cats' spots. You are done for now. Hiding underneath the sofa or other objects to get away from each other. To do so, put up your visual barrier, but drape a large beach towel, sheet, or blanket over the doorway all the way to the bottom so they can only see about an inch of the other room (basically, all they can see is each others paws). Once they become accustomed to the ThunderShirt, cats can freely move about while wearing it, but it does appear to inhibit their urge to lunge, jump, and even run. Start the bowls far apart and gradually move them closer together. This allows the new cat explore the rest of the house while the resident cat spends some time in the new cat's room. Essential oils can be toxic to cats if ingested, so offer them in a way that allows for the inhalant calming effects but does not allow them to lick or eat the product. 2022 Best Friends Animal Society. Separate them if the hissing doesn't die down after 1 or 2 minutes or if there is any sign of threat (swatting with force, chasing, screaming, ears flattened, etc.). What we do not want to do is molest the cats with another cats scent! The rule of thumb is one box location per cat plus an additional box (see Litter Box Facts handout for more tips). If the cats seem generally calm and relaxed after a few days of eating on either side of the baby gate, you can now try to let them see each other while eating their meals. Keep the sessions short and end positively. Although some cats certainly become close friends, others never do. When cats start to fight, one will often attempt to run away. Two cats positively eating together for the first time. 4. Toys, wet food, a food puzzle offered on both sides of a solid door (& cute footsie). Double stacked baby gates, fabric secured to block perception that it can be scaled. 1. It worked great for getting my 13 year old to hang out with the new 6 month old. While the new cat is exploring your home, you may want to close bedroom and bathroom doors at first so she does not feel overwhelmed. If a fight breaks out, a blanket can be your best tool. There may be some hissing or swatting, but cats often will work things out by themselves. Gradually every two or three sessions bring the bowls closer (about six inches to a foot at a time). Once youve set up a visual barrier, repeat everything you did with the solid door. A proper introduction can set the stage for a harmonious relationship and a happier household for everyone. Then put that cloth in the room with the other cats. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. The new cat spends a few days in the room, then a few in the house, then back in the room while the resident cat is in the opposite location. Introducing Cats to Each Other Quickly. This will give your resident cats a chance to smell the new cat and rub their own scent on objects. Its helpful to have a large piece of cardboard on hand so you can quickly block them from seeing each other should their interactions become negative. Leave Them Alone Together. Then, present the socks to your cats with treats to create a positive association. in an effort to force interactions. The next step in introducing a new cat is to create a visual barrier. The biggest mistake that pet parents make is simply putting the new and old cats together in the same room and hoping for the best. Each case is unique though. While some cats can get along fine with this method, many will end up fighting and taking a long time to be happy together. 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