Content
- How to introduce a new cat to the family
- Before the arrival of the new cat
- First day - how to introduce two cats
- Training
- Get used to each other's scent
- exchange of rooms
- Put the old resident in the new cat's room
- join two unknown cats
- cats don't get along
Without any doubt, the question "how to introduce a new cat into the house?" is one of the most common among cat owners. We know how difficult it is to adopt just one kitten, whether it's because we love cats too much, because we want a new companion for our little furry with mustache or because we find an abandoned kitten on the street and want to give it a new home, family and love .
Unfortunately, introducing a new cat into a house where a feline already exists is not that easy! Introducing a new cat into the home can be very stressful for both the new cat and the old cat. Many people opt for the technique of putting them together and simply "wait and see" but it rarely works. Most likely, the two cats are very nervous and anxious, and suffer a lot from it! High levels of stress and anxiety increase the likelihood of aggression between them. For this reason, PeritoAnimal created this article with everything you need to know about how to get a cat used to another kitten.
Steps to follow: 1
How to introduce a new cat to the family
There are several steps you can take to introduce a new cat into the family so that the two cats not only tolerate each other, but become best friends. Above all you need to have a lot patience! You can never force the two cats to be together, because if you do, they are more likely to go off on aggression.
You must remember that cats do not like changes in their routines and are very territorial animals. This will be a lengthy process but if done as we describe it will be rewarding when in the end your two kittens are better off sleeping together and spending hours on end playing. Regardless of the age of the new cat, whether it is a kitten or an adult, the process is similar. We will explain to you step by step what you should do!
2
Before the arrival of the new cat
Even before the new cat arrives at the house, you can begin the adaptation process. Buy synthetic pheromones in a diffuser (eg Feliway) to plug into a room in the house. This room will be for the new cat and the old cat will not be able to access it (for now).
Prepare everything necessary for the new cat to have a only his space. Suitable litter box, water, food, litter, toys and scratchers. This space will be like a monastery for the new kitten, where nothing and no one will bother him. A sense of security is essential to the cat's process of adapting to his new home.
3First day - how to introduce two cats
Place the new family member in the monastery you have prepared especially for him. You must in no way allow the old cat to enter this space. For a while, each of them must have its own space. All the cats in the house know they don't live there alone, by smell. The smell is scary enough for them. For this reason, it's important that at first this is the only thing you get from the other cat, the smell.
If you see cats standing on either side of the bedroom door snorting or growling, don't scold them. Try to distract the cats, get them out of this place.Play with them a lot and calm them down! You must remember that the most important thing is that cats are relaxed.
4Training
After the kittens are properly housed, in the space that belongs to them for now, it's time for you to show them that this change brings positive things! You must remember the importance of positive reinforcement in cats essential in training them.
An excellent idea to bring the cats together, even with them apart, after two or three days in which each one has their space, is to put the food pot of each of them near the door that separates them. In this way, they will approach to feed and start if getting used to each other's presence. The distance from the door should be enough for the cats to be comfortable. If one of the cats starts to snort or ruffle its fur, you should move the pot away from the door until it is comfortable.
Each day that passes, bring the food jars a little closer to the door, until the two jars are glued to the door. You must not forget that you cannot open the door at any time. A little oversight can be enough to go back to the beginning of the whole adaptation process.
5
Get used to each other's scent
Smell is how cats know each other. You pheromones that they release are the main method of communication between felines.
In order for your cats to get used to and get to know each other's scent before meeting each other in person, you should place an object from each of them in each other's space. You may also choose to lightly rub the cat with a towel or cloth when he is calm and quiet. Pass in the cheek region, where they release more pheromones. The most important thing is to do this when the cat is calm, that way he will transmit that calm to the other feline when he smells the towel with the pheromones.
Now just place the towel near the other cat and carefully observe its behavior. If he just sniffs and doesn't do anything, reward him! It's a very good sign that he doesn't snort or show other signs of aggression. Play with your feline near the towel and reward whenever he plays games. It is very important to associate positive things with the presence of the other cat's scent. Thus, the cat will associate the other feline with positive moments.
6exchange of rooms
Once all the cats are used to each other's scents, it's time to swap them. Start by putting the (if you have more cats) former residents in a room and lock them up for a moment there. Now release the new kitten around the house. Open his room door and let him roam freely around the house. It may happen that he does not want to leave the room immediately: don't force him! Try again another day and as often as necessary until the new kitten is comfortable throughout the house. Whenever he behaves well, remember to positively reinforce him with food and affection!
If at any point the cat starts to get stressed, put him in his old "monastery" until he calms down and relaxes.
7
Put the old resident in the new cat's room
When the new cat is totally comfortable around the house, without the old resident around, lock him up in a room and go get the old resident so he can explore the room that was your new kitten's monastery. If he's not collaborating and getting stressed, don't push! You can repeat the attempts as often as necessary! You must remember the old popular saying "haste is the enemy of perfection". The introduction of a new cat at home does not have an exact science. Each cat has its own pace of adaptation to new situations and it is important that you respect the rhythm and limits of each of your cats. Always adapt the pace and training sessions to the shyest and most nervous cat.
8join two unknown cats
When cats are completely comfortable and relaxed in each other's surroundings, it's time to introduce them! This moment is very important and you must be very careful and attentive to avoid any situation that triggers aggression between them.
There are different options for them if look for the first time. If you have an area with a glass or window in the middle, it's a good option! Another possibility would be to place the new cat in his monastery and do the feeding session like the ones we explained to you before but with the door slightly open so they can look at each other. If they are calm you can use a wand-like toy for them to play with and associate playtimes with each other.
If the new kitten is a puppy, putting it inside a carrier for the old resident to approach can be a good alternative too!
If any of the cats get stressed or get aggressive, throw a treat or toy away for distraction and separate the cats. As mentioned earlier, some animals take longer to accept others and you can always try again tomorrow! The important thing is not to ruin everything because you want to do things faster than your cats pace.
When cats no longer show any aggression or discomfort towards each other, CONGRATULATIONS! You've already got them to tolerate each other! Now you can leave them meet each other and being together but cautiously. Watch their interaction in the first two or three days of complete freedom. Keep treats and toys close by in case a cat gets aggressive and you need to distract him!
9
cats don't get along
If you have two cats that were misintroduced and still don't get along...there is hope! Our advice is to do exactly this process with them, placing the newest cat in a "monastery" for him and following this process step by step. Who knows if with these tips you can't get your cats back together, even if it's just so they can tolerate each other without fighting and peace back home!
