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INTRODUCING
YOUR NEW CAT TO OTHER PETS
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 (or 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 to have a cat or dog companion.
Cats are
territorial and need to be introduced to other animals very slowly in
order to give them time to get used to each other before there is a
face-to-face meeting. 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 which 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."
CAT
TO CAT INTRODUCTIONS
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 the new cat and 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 a 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 are allowed to 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 of 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
of 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, you shouldn't attempt to intervene directly to separate
the 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 safe 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 you'll want to follow these tips:
Practice
Obedience
If your dog doesn't already know the commands "sit," "down,"
"come" and "stay," you should begin training immediately.
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, reinforce
the behaviors by practicing the 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's
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 enter 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 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 "down-stay." 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. He should be rewarded for good behavior, 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 your
cat is free in the house during the introduction process. Be sure
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 (in a closet or on a high shelf). Eating cat feces is
also a 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. 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 the introductions don't 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. Remember,
however, punishment won't work and could make things worse.
Reprinted
with permission from the Denver Dumb Friends League.
