Introducing
Your New Cat
It's
important to have realistic expectations when introducing a new pet to a
resident pet. Some cats are more social than other cats. For example, an
eight-year old cat that has never been around other animals may never learn to
share her territory (and her people) with other pets in the household. However,
an eight-week-old kitten separated from her mom and littermates for the first
time might prefer a cat or dog companion. Cats are territorial and need to be introduced
to other animals very slowly to give them time to get used to each other before
there is a face-to-face confrontation. Slow introductions help prevent fearful
and aggressive problems from developing. PLEASE NOTE: When you introduce pets to
each other, one of them may send "play" signals that can be misinterpreted
by the other pet. If those signals are interpreted as aggression by one animal,
then you should handle the situation as "aggressive."
Confinement
Confine
your new cat to one medium-sized room with her litter box, food, water and a
bed. Feed your resident pets and the newcomer on each side of the door to this
room. This will help all of them to associate something enjoyable (eating!) with
each other’s smells. Don't put the food so close to the door that the animals
are too upset by each other’s presence to eat. Gradually move the dishes closer
to the door until your pets can eat calmly, directly on either side of the door.
Next, use two doorstops to prop open the door just enough to allow the animals
to see each other, and repeat the whole process.
Swap Scents
Switch
sleeping blankets or beds between your new cat and your resident animals so
they have a chance to become accustomed to each other's scent. Rub a towel on
one animal and put it underneath the food dish of another animal. You should do
this with each animal in the house.
Switch Living
Areas
Once
your new cat is using her litter box and eating regularly while confined, let
her have free time in the house while confining your other animals to the new cat's
room. This switch provides another way for the animals to experience each
other’s scents without face-to-face meeting. It also allows the newcomer to become
familiar with her new surroundings without being frightened by the other
animals.
Avoid Fearful
and Aggressive Meetings
Avoid
any interactions between your pets that result in either fearful or aggressive
behavior. If these responses can become a habit, they can be difficult to change.
It's better to introduce your pets to each other so gradually that neither
animal becomes afraid or aggressive. You can expect mild forms of these behaviors,
but don't give them the opportunity to intensify. If either animal becomes
fearful or aggressive, separate them, and start over with the introduction process
in a series of very small, gradual steps, as outlined above.
Precautions
If
one of your pets has a medical problem or is injured, this could stall the
introduction process. Check with your veterinarian to be sure that all your
pets are healthy. You'll also want to have at least one litter box per cat, and
you'll probably need to clean all the litter boxes more frequently. Make sure
that none of the cats are being "ambushed" by another while trying to
use the litter box. Try to keep your resident pets' schedule as close as possible
to what it was before the newcomer's appearance. Cats can make lots of noise, pull
each other's hair, and roll around quite dramatically without either cat being
injured. If small spats do occur between your cats. Instead, make a loud noise,
throw a pillow, or use a squirt bottle with water and vinegar to separate the
cats. Give them a chance to calm down before re-introducing them to each other.
Be sure each cat has a sage hiding place.
Cat to Dog
Introductions
Dogs
can kill a cat very easily, even if they’re only playing. All it takes is one
shake and the cat's neck can break. Some dogs have such a high prey drive they should
never be left alone with a cat. Dogs usually want to chase and play with cats,
and cats usually become afraid and defensive. Use the techniques described above
to begin introducing your new cat to your resident dog. In addition:
Practice
Obedience
If
your dog doesn't already know the commands "sit," "down,"
"come," and "stay," you should begin working on them. Small
pieces of food will increase your dog's motivation to perform, which will be
necessary in the presence of such a strong distraction as a new cat. Even if
your dog already knows these commands, work with obeying commands in return for
a tidbit.
Controlled Meeting
After
your new cat and resident dog have become comfortable eating on opposite sides
of the door, and have been exposed to each other' scents as described above,
you can attempt a face-to-face introduction in a controlled manner. Put your
dog's leash on, and using treats, have him either sit or lie down and stay. Have
another family member or friend enters the room and quietly sit down next to
your new cat, but don't have them physically restrain her. Have this person
offer your cat some special pieces of food or catnip. At first, the cat and the
dog should be on opposite sides of the room. Lots of short visits are better
than a few long visits. Don't drag out the visit so long that the dog becomes
uncontrollable. Repeat this step several times until both the cat and dog are
tolerating each other's presence without fear, aggression or other undesirable behavior.
Let Your Cat Go
Next,
allow your cat freedom to explore your dog at her own pace, with the dog still
on-leash and in a "downstay." Meanwhile, keep giving your dog treats
and praise for his calm behavior. If your dog gets up from his "stay"
position, he should be repositioned with a treat lure, and praised and rewarded
for obeying the "stay" command. If your cat runs away or becomes
aggressive, you're progressing too fast. Go back to the previous introduction
steps.
Positive Reinforcement
Although
your dog must be taught that chasing or being rough with your cat is
unacceptable behavior, he must also be taught how to behave appropriately, and
be rewarded for doing so, such as sitting, coming when called, or lying down in
return for a treat. If your dog is always punished when your cat is around, and
never has "good things" happen in the cat's presence, your
dog
may redirect aggression toward the cat.
Directly Supervise
All Interactions between Your Dog and Cat
You
may want to keep your dog on-leash and with you whenever you 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 your dog and cat separated when you aren't home
until you're certain your cat will be safe.
Precautions
Dogs
like to eat cat food. You should keep the cat food out of your dog's reach. Eating
cat feces is also relatively common behavior in dogs. Although there are no health
hazards to your dog, it's probably distasteful to you. It's also upsetting to
your cat to have such an important object "invaded." Unfortunately,
attempts to keep your dog out of the litter box by "booby trapping" it
will also keep your cat away as well. Punishment after the fact will not change
your dog's behavior. The best solution is to place the litter box where your dog
can't access it, for example: behind a baby gate; in a closet with the door anchored
open from both sides and just wide enough for your cat; or inside a tall, topless
cardboard box with easy access for your cat.
A Word about
Kittens and Puppies
Because
they're so much smaller, kittens are in more danger of being injured, of being
killed by a young energetic dog, or by a predatory dog. A kitten will need to
be kept separate from an especially energetic dog until she is fully-grown, and
even then, she should never be left alone with the dog. Usually, a well-socialized
cat will be able to keep a puppy in its place, but some cats don't have enough
confidence to do this. If you have an especially shy cat, you might need to keep
her separated from your puppy until he matures enough to have more self-control.
When to Get Help
If
introductions do not go smoothly, seek professional help immediately. Animals
can be severely injured in fights, and the longer the problem continues, the harder
it can be to resolve. Conflicts between pets in the same family can often be resolved
with professional help. Punishment won't work, though, and could make things
worse.
