Introducing a new member to your feline family is usually far more exciting for you than your present cat. Even although they are solitary by mother nature, most cats ultimately study to acknowledge or at least tolerate newcomers. For the reason that they are really territorial, the way you go about introducing the new cat to your current cat can imply the variance among success or “cat-astrophe.”
The introduction method can just take as very little as 10-12 times for kittens and pretty younger cats, to as extended as 12 months for more mature cats. It all depends on each and every cat’s persona. Be guaranteed to give your “initial” cat plenty of interest. This will assistance him experience secure that he is not in competitiveness for your affection.
Confine your new cat to a “safe and sound” area until finally the introduction approach is complete. This should be a little area, these types of as a bathroom or smaller bedroom that your existing cat almost never visits. Furnish it with a bed, scratching put up, food, h2o and litter box.
In the commencing, your initial cat could hiss and yowl at the cat on the other side of the doorway. Just ignore him and stroll away. In no way punish him for vocalizing aggressively, it will only bring about difficulty in between the two cats. Be guaranteed to praise and pet your 1st cat when he acts calmly when around the new cat’s area.
Right after a several times, acquire a rag or washcloth and rub it around your new cat as you pet and enjoy with her. Use a unique rag to do the similar point with your very first cat. At feeding time, place every cat’s scented rag below the other cat’s bowl. This will support them associate the other cat’s scent with one thing optimistic-foodstuff. Plenty of minimal feedings every day will assist them get used to the odor extra quickly. Be guaranteed to renew the scent on the rags each and every day.
Following, you can feed them in closer proximity. Continue to keep your new cat in her “safe and sound” home with the door firmly shut, and place each cat’s dish on their aspect of the doorway. Be absolutely sure to feed them at the identical time. As soon as they both equally consume with no growling or hissing, you can transfer to the upcoming amount of the introduction.
Close your initially cat in a area he likes to frequent, building guaranteed he has h2o, some favourite food items and a litter box. Permit your new cat out to discover the property. Soon after a number of hrs, place her again in her room and let your initially cat out. He will almost certainly hiss and fuss when he smells a further cat’s scent in HIS territory. Yet again, be affected individual and praise him when he functions calmly. Repeat this exercise at least after a working day until equally cats feel comfy.
Right before you allow the cats have entire access to a person another, allow them come experience to encounter in a safe and sound situation. Use two challenging plastic doorstops to jam the door to the new cat’s home open a mere 2-3 inches. Examine that the doorway are not able to be pushed open any even further, and that neither cat can get its head via the opening. The item is to give them a prospect to swat paws at one a further and even go nose to nose without the chance for full entire body speak to. Feed each and every cat on their respective aspect of the door. The moment they no longer hiss or growl at just one yet another, you can check out taking part in with both equally of them in the similar space.
