How to introduce your new cat
to other pets in your home
Contents
Introduce your new cat in stages
Would you like it if your spouse brought home a second spouse one day, and announced that she would be eating and sleeping with you, and using your bathroom whenever she wanted? Cat lovers know that the term "low maintenance" means nothing. Cats are just like people, and like people, they need time to adjust to new surroundings.
Studies show it can take from two to five weeks for a cat to adapt to its new territory. It may take even longer for a resident cat to adapt to a new cat on its home territory. Cats living in the same house may never become best friends. But they can learn to at least tolerate each other with little conflict. Taking the time to properly introduce a new cat to other family pets helps prevent problems like improper litter box usage, nervousness or fighting.
Successful introductions require time and patience. Don't expect things to be perfect overnight!
Day 1-5
Keep the new cat contained in a quiet, small, separate room (a bedroom or bathroom), with his litter box, food and water, bed and toys. Give the new cat time to feel comfortable with his "territory" in this room. During this time, feed your present cat and the newcomer near either side of the door to the room. This will start things out right. They will associate something enjoyable -- eating -- with each other's presence.
Gradually move the dishes closer to the door until the cats can eat calmly directly on either side. After a few days, use door stops to prop open the door just enough to allow the cats to see each other while eating. Switch bedding between the new cat and resident cat. This gives them a chance to become used to each other's scent. You can also put the bedding underneath the food dishes when they eat.
Day 6-9
When the new cat is using its box and eating regularly while confined, give him time to explore the house while confining your resident cat to the newcomer's room.
Close all bedroom doors and block all openings beneath or behind furniture so the new cat doesn't have places to hide or get stuck. This "territory switch" is another way for the cats to experience each other's scent without a face-to-face meeting. It also allows the newcomer to become familiar with its new surroundings without being frightened by other animals. After a short time, put each cat back in its normal territory.
Do this several times a day for several days or until everyone seem comfortable.
Day 9-11
Introduce the new cat to the resident cat. Put the new cat in a carrier and them sniff each other through the carrier door. Sit near the cats and talk to them. Allow them to see each other for no more than five minutes at a time and always within the new cat's familiar surroundings. Do this a few times a day for several days until neither cat seems afraid of the other.
Day 12-14
Allow the new cat and the resident cat to roam the house freely. Make sure you are home all day in case any problems arise. Do not leave the cats alone together until you are sure they are getting along. It might be several days before that happens. Until then, put the new cat in his room each night before you go to bed and whenever you are away from the house.
It's normal to see mild hissing, spitting and growling. You can expect mild forms of these behaviors, but don't allow them to become severe. If you allow these responses to become habit, they can be difficult to change. If either cat becomes extremely fearful or aggressive, separate the cats for a while and try again later.
It's better to introduce the animals to each other gradually, so that neither cat becomes afraid or aggressive.
If a fight breaks out, do not interfere directly or yell at the cats. Instead throw a towel over each cat, wrapping it around the cat before picking him up. Separate the cats until they have calmed down. It may be best to leave the cats separated when you are not home until you are sure they are getting along well.
The entire process can take from two to four weeks before everyone feels comfortable together and the cats get along, or at least tolerate each other, without your supervision. Be patient and go slow — the results will be worth it!
If you have any questions or problems, please call the Independent Cat Society, (219) 785-4936.
What if my cat has a litter box problem?
Cat behavior experts advise cat owners to have one litter box for each cat in the household, plus one, to prevent outside-the-box potty problems! You should have at least two litter boxes on each floor of your home. Did you know that some cats like to use one litter box for Number 1 and another litter box for Number 2? So, even if you have only one cat, it's smart to have at least two litter boxes.
Research shows that cats prefer scoopable litter to regular litter. Experts also advise cat owners to scoop the litter boxes once a day and clean them at least once every other week. When cleaning, do not use strong smelling disinfectants or bleach. Many cats will not use a box that has a disinfectant smell. Because cats have such a keen sense of smell, no matter how much you rinse, your cat will smell disinfectant even when you can't! Boxes can easily be cleaned with simple hot water and scrubbing and rinsing.
Never raise your voice or yell at the cat if she/he makes a "mistake." Cats don't respond to raised voices. Yelling only makes them more nervous, which can make the potty problems worse.
Contact the Independent Cat Society, (219) 785-4936, if you continue to have litter box problems.
Introducing a new cat to a resident dog
Dogs and cats who have not experienced each other will require some extra time to become accustomed to each other. Dogs usually want to chase and play with cats, and cats are usually afraid and defensive. You can use any of the techniques described in "Introducing a new cat to other cats." In addition:
- If your dog does not already know the commands "sit," "down," "come," and "stay," you should begin working on them. Little tidbits of food increase your dog's motivation to perform This will be necessary in the presence of such a strong distraction as a new cat. Even if your dog already knows the commands, work with obeying commands in return for a tidbit.
- After the animals have become comfortable eating on either side of the door, and have been exposed to each other's scents as described on the other side, you can attempt a face-to-face introduction in a controlled manner. Put your dog's leash on, and command him to either "sit" or "down" and "stay," using food tidbits. Have another family member enter the room and quietly sit down with the cat on his or her lap. The cat should also be offered some special tidbits. At first, the cat and dog should be on OPPOSITE sides of the room. Repeat this step several times until both the cat and dog are tolerating each other without fear, aggression, or other uncontrollable behavior.
- Next, move the animals a little closer together, with the dog still on a leash and the cat gently held in a lap. If the cat does not like to be held, you can use a wire crate or carrier instead. If the dog gets up from its "stay" position, it should be firmly repositioned, and praised and rewarded for obeying the "stay" command. If the cat becomes frightened, increase the distance between the animals and progress more slowly. Eventually, the animals should be brought close enough together to allow them to investigate each other.
Although your dog must be taught that chasing or being rough with the cat is unacceptable behavior, your dog must also be taught how to behave appropriately, and be rewarded for doing so (e.g. sitting, coming when called, or lying down in return for a tidbit). If your dog is always punished whenever the cat is around, and never has "good things" happen in the cat's presence, your dog may redirect aggression toward the cat.
You may want to keep your dog on a leash and with you when the cat is free in the house during the introduction process. Be sure that your cat has an escape route, and a place to hide. Keep the dog and cat separated when you aren't home until you are certain they will both be safe.
Precautions: Dogs like to eat cat food because it is very high in protein, and therefore very tasty. Keep cat food out of the dog's reach (in a closet, on a high shelf, etc.). Why dogs like to eat cat feces is not well understood but it is a relatively common behavior. Although there are no health hazards to the dog from this habit, it is usually distasteful to the owners. Attempts to keep the dog out of the litter box by "booby trapping" will also keep the cat away as well. Punishment after the fact will NOT change the dog's behavior. Probably the best solution is to place the litter box where the dog cannot access it such as behind a baby gate, or in a closet with the door anchored open (from both sides) just wide enough for the cat. Always feed your dog alone. Cats should not eat dog food as it may cause dietary deficiencies.
