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Unacceptable marking behaviors can arise if one of your cats is not pleased with litter box arrangements. And when a new cat saunters into the mix, everything about the litter pan changes in the eyes of your resident kitty. First impressions between pets are just as important as they are between people.
Take a second towel and do the same procedure, only backwards, starting with your resident cats to the newcomer one. Regardless of whether or not you are a first-time cat owner or adding a new cat into a home with other animals, there are certain, basic supplies that you need to have beforehand. Make sure that you have food and water , a litter box with litter, a scratching post or scratching pad, a bed or cozy spot, grooming supplies and toys. Instead they should be separated by a tall, sturdy baby gate (at least 36” high) in the doorway of the new cat’s room. You can encourage the resident cat to come near the baby gate using treats or play, but again, the pace of this introduction is determined by the cats.
Step 1: Separate the cats
Create a “safe” room with all her familiar things and be sure to limit the chance for escape. If you’re moving a long distance, get a check-up with your veterinarian and be sure to have proper identification and microchipping. When you make a “pit stop,” offer your cat the opportunity to use the litter box and a snack, keeping safety in mind. Only once you’re finished with the procession of the people in and out of the house, should let your cat out of her safe room – under strict supervision.
If you have a scaredy cat, provide a box for hiding from suspicious sounds within the house. When cats start to fight, one will often attempt to run away. Typically, the cat will try to hide under something, like a couch.
How to introduce your new cat to other pets
Ignoring each other and going about their own business on opposite sides of the baby gate. And if you have a baby or a toddler, you should always be present when they’re hanging out with your cat. “ patience and understanding how scary a new home can appear to a cat goes a long way building trust and a lifelong relationship together,” Courtney explained. And especially if you adopt a rescue cat, it might take him extra time to settle in. So for the first week at least, make sure your new cat stays in his separate room to let him get used to his new environment.
And, remember, all cats have their own unique personalities, so you may have to do some experimenting to discover what works best for your new cat, and what works best for you. Still, cats can enhance almost anyone’s life, and you can definitely enhance the lives of the cats that you adopt. Whether you are a first-time cat owner or looking to adopt a new member into your existing brood, there are many things to consider before introducing a new cat into your home. And remind your child that even though getting a new cat is super exciting, he’ll need some time to become familiar with his new environment before he’ll be ready to play. “Teach your areas to pet and how to pet gently,” Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) who also works with cats, told The Dodo. “When cats first go to a new place, they like small and safe places, such as the bathroom or small bedroom,” Courtney said.
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Have your cat wear a jacket that can be used with a leash for additional security. Bring a few of the items from the old house with her familiar scent. Spend a few minutes with her while she explores the room, assuring her that she will be safe in her new home.
But kittens are fireballs of energy which can sometimes vex an adult cat who’s already grown out of their kittenhood. International Cat Care does believe introducing a kitten to an older cat can be easier than introducing to fully-grown cats though. Like the litter pan, cats do well when they have their own designated bowl to eat from. But, as humans usually have a bowl or plate they prefer to eat from, cats can be the same. Maybe having two separate food bowls is a good idea as cats are all about territory and mealtime.
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Crates need to be large enough for the kitten to be able to move around easily and need to contain key resources such as food, water, a litter tray and a hiding place. These resources need to be positioned as far apart from each other as possible and thus the bigger the crate, the better. For kitten introductions, a large crate can be used in a room, positioned in the corner and partially covered with a blanket to provide an area for the kitten to be out of sight. If pheromones alone are not enough, or you are encountering more significant challenges, talk to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can make behavioral suggestions to help you introduce your cats and can also determine whether your cat may be a candidate for prescription anti-anxiety medication.
Considering this natural behavior of cats, it isn’t surprising that it can be very difficult to introduce a new cat into an established cat’s territory, even when that territory is your home. Remember, this was your resident cat’s territory first and a new creature in a cat’s known territory can cause some stress. Keep her needs in mind too when introducing cats to each other. As your two fur babies get acquainted, swapping bedding between their individual spaces allows them to grow accustomed to the other’s scent. Just move one blanket or article from each of the separate spaces to the other.
If there are any potential problems, a slow introduction will keep any violence to a minimum. There are a lot of factors to consider before adopting a new cat and introducing them to your current kitty. If you’re unsure how your cat will react, it’s often safer to adopt a kitten or younger cat. This will make the new arrival less of a threat to your existing pet, although some proper introduction steps should still be taken to ensure safety and the least stress possible.
Immediately confine the newcomer to one room with a litter box, food, water, and a bed. Your new cat should be kept in a single room during the initial stages of this introduction process. This is important for both the new cat and for the resident cat (so they can adjust to the new cat’s presence in the home). To set everyone up for success, ideally the new cat is kept in a room that the resident cat doesn’t spend all that much time in. (This may not be possible in a small apartment.) For example, if your resident cat enjoys sleeping in your bedroom, ideally the new cat is kept in a room other than your bedroom.
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