INTRODUCING
A NEW CAT TO YOUR HOME
Bringing
a new cat or kitten into your home and introducing it to your family can be
a very exciting, yet at the same time, quite an anxious experience.
It is often impossible to predict exactly how a cat will react when
placed into a new environment. Even
if the reason for obtaining a new cat is to keep your resident cat company,
the resident cat may not welcome the newcomer with open paws!
Controlling the situation with careful introductions can help smooth
the way forward.
Remember
that cats may not naturally be very social creatures; unlike the
pack-orientated dog, cats function happily on their own without a social
structure around them. They
are unlikely to feel the ‘need’ for a companion, even though you might
wish to have another cat as a ‘visible’ member of the family.
Some cats will live with and adjust to a newcomer easily, where as
others will never get on together or they may just manage to live alongside
and tolerate each other in an unspoken truce.
A kitten
is less of a threat to a resident cat than an adult, as it is still
sexually immature. It can also
be better to obtain a kitten (or cat) of the opposite sex to the resident
cat, as this will minimise competition.
Neutering helps to remove most of such problems, but may not
eliminate them altogether.
Choose a
quiet time when the household is calm to introduce the newcomer – avoid
festivities, parties, visiting relatives or friends and find time to
concentrate on calm reassurance for both cats.
Some problems that you may encounter during the introduction of a new cat may arise because the cat is a territorial animal – from a cat’s point of view, the introduction of a new cat could pose a threat to their food, status and attention source. Cats in the wild are usually solitary hunters. However, it is known that in feral cat colonies, cats can live happily with close social contact provided food and other resources are in plentiful supply. Remember, a slow introduction which poses less threat to the resident cat is always the best option as early mistakes can be hard to reverse.
The best way of introducing cats is to have an indoor pen, into which the new cat can be placed, so that the new cat can become accustomed to its new surroundings and environment, whilst at the same time feeling secure and protected. The cage or pen should contain a bed, water bowl, food and a litter tray. The resident cat can then approach and investigate the newcomer in its own time, without the threat of being attacked or chased. When the resident cat goes outside, this is the time that the newcomer may be let out of the pen for some attention and play. Remember to always give your resident cat plenty of fuss and attention to prevent jealousy or resentment.
When the
resident cat is confident to come into the room containing the pen, start
to feed both cats at the same time in the same room, but still with the
newcomer confined to the pen at feeding time.
Eventually, and initially with supervision, open the door of the pen
so that the two cats can gradually become accustomed to each other.
If they seem to be getting on well together, you can let them meet
for short periods of time, slowly leaving them together for longer periods.
However, it may be a good idea to keep them separate at night
initially, with the newcomer being confined in the pen.
If an indoor pen in not available, you initially try placing the newcomer in its own room and regularly exchanging blankets between the newcomer and the resident cat, so that the two cats may pick up on the scent of each other. A cat can learn a lot from its sense of smell, for example, whether the scent is from a male or female cat and even if the scent is from an adult or a youngster. When the resident cat is outside, let the newcomer wander around small areas of the house so that it can spread its scent around the house. Then, under supervision initially, allow the resident cat to meet the newcomer for short periods of time and, if a favourable response is seen, continue with the introductions as described above, as if you were using an indoor pen.
Your resident cat may react initially be hissing and spitting or running away from the newcomer. The most important thing to remember is to always provide your resident cat with lots of attention and reassurance. Most cats will accept new arrivals, however, some cats may merely learn to tolerate each other.
JSPCA working to
“prevent cruelty, promote knowledge, provide for aged,
sick, lost and unwanted animals.”
Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(Inc.)
Founded 1868 – Incorporated 1936
89 St Saviour’s Road, St
Helier, Jersey JE2 4GJ
Tel: 01534 724331
Fax: 01534 871797
E-mail: info@jspca.org.je
Website: www.jspca.org.je