Nowadays, many individuals are the happy owners of more than one cat. This is not surprising, as these animals are easily socialised and usually get along easily. If you decide to bring home another cat, just follow our rules, and introducing cats to each other will be easy and fun for all parties.
However, before you decide to bring home a kitten or a second cat, you should weigh the pros and cons. Cats usually find a common language very quickly, but there are some exceptions, unfortunately. If cats do not like each other, then it will be extremely difficult to make them like each other, and most likely someone will have to look for a new home. If you are determined and do want to bring a second cat or a kitten home, focus your attention on a number of tips that will help make the process of introducing a kitten or an adult cat to another one really easy and quick.
How to introduce a new cat to other cats – getting ready
A new cat should be introduced to a new home and other cats little by little, and the process should be planned and prepared. First of all, the owner should buy a second set of bowls, a separate litter tray and a cat’s house. A new cat or kitten should have everything of its own. This way the animal will not touch the bowl of another cat, will be confident with their own position in the home, and will not use the litter tray of the second kitty.
How to introduce two cats for the first time – getting to know the smell
Any cat perceives a new inhabitant as an invader of its own territory, so it is really important to show the old-timer that a newcomer will not cause any harm.
At the first stage of introduction cats should not see each other. An owner should settle cats (or a kitten and a cat) in different rooms. Moreover, it is important to keep the hierarchy: a cat that has lived for a long time in your house has the right to occupy a large territory and sleep in the usual places that the animal likes. Meanwhile, the newcomer should be satisfied with a little. The main thing for a new cat or kitten to get used to is new housing and smell. Feeding should be at different times, and litter trays should be at a distance from each other.
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How to introduce two cats for the first time – visual contact
At the second stage, you can arrange short visual sessions for the animals, keeping the following rules:
- choose a big room, so that the cat that wants to stop contact, can do so any time;
- prepare a blanket and gloves, you never know what the outcome of first contact will be;
- choose the time after feeding, so the level of stress will be lower;
- observe the reaction of your cats, and increase the time of their contact step by step;
When cats finally get the first contact over, the owner should help them get to know and like each other. You can gradually move their bowls closer during feeding and play with the pets at the same time. However, you should remember that, even when cats get on well with each other, you should keep the accepted hierarchy.
How to introduce cats – don’ts
One of the common mistakes that an owner makes when introducing a kitten (a cat) to other cats is that they try to speed up the process by pushing pets towards each other. However, instead of a peaceful meeting the owner will get the opposite result – a fight. You should be patient and introduce pets a bit at a time, and only in such a manner will you help the cats like each other.
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Photo: AdinaVoicu
