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Introducing a new cat or kitten into the home
Introducing a new cat or kitten into your home can sometimes be very stressful to you, your current pet residents and of course the new kitty. Here are some tips to help this task go smoother and keep all your pets a bit safer and stress free.
Be aware that unlike dogs who are pack animals and one in the group requires alpha status or dominancy, the cat will thrive to acquire his or her "turf" or territory in the home. A new cat will sometimes go way out of its way to avoid conflict with a cat whom has already laid claim to the home. It generally takes at least 1-2 weeks for things to start settling in in most cases with new residents.
You should try your hardest to ensure both cats, especially the cat with the most issues with escape routes to shelter, food, water and the litter box. To have a poor travel way to these important items like food etc. can lead to one or both cats not eating or even making messes like peeing or pooping in unwanted places other than the litter box. Cats like heights to feel safe, a few cat trees or shelves work wonders for feeling safe and secure.
Always see your vet as soon as possible after bringing your new kitty home, within 24-48 hours if possible. Often it is in your contract that you have to see your vet within a set period of time, so plan ahead so as not to void your contract.
Always quarantine your new kitty for at least 5 days to 2 weeks in a separate room if possible. This protects your new kitty and your existing resident cats from contracting a disease if the new kitty has brought any new germs into your home. You will definitely want to get a poop sample cleared as well just in case they have parasites you do not want to infect your other cats. It can take a few days for fecal sample result to come back from the lab.
The other pets and the new kitty will be able to smell each other’s scent under the door of the separate room which will let them become familiar with each other’s scent. Always give your new cat/kitten their own food and water dish and of course his own litter box until you get the all clear.
Some have had great results with the Feliway products for calming. This can be purchased at most big pet Store chains.
Next take a clean washcloth and gently wipe the cloth on the new kitty’s cheek area. This is where the cats’ pheromones are released. So, when your cat is rubbing your face with his cheeks, he is leaving his scent on you saying "I now own you!" Take the washcloth and rub it on low lying areas of couches or if you have a cat house or carpeted scratching post, rub a little there as well. This gets the scent of the new kitty around the house so the other pets will become familiar with the new guy’s smell.
Another little trick is to put pet shirts on both cats (always monitor pets with clothes on), the new kitty and the existing tenant for a few hours and then "switch" their shirts - one wears the other shirt and before you know it in no time they will be used to each other’s scents after wearing each other’s shirts for a few hours. You can also do this with swapping blankets they have been snuggling under and swap between them if they do not tolerate clothing.
Use a toy with the new kitty’s scent after she has played with it and then use that toy to play with your current kitties and have them become accustomed to the new kitty's scent off of the toy. this is a good way to get the scent out there and to the other cats in the house.
A couple of days before the actual "introduction" you can swaddle the new kitten/cat and carry them around the house so they get to look around and feel safe in your arms doing so. You can put up a gate or slightly crack the door to the room the kitty is in to see the reactions of all the cats. Or even swap rooms. If there is hissing remember this is not a sign of aggression, but rather fear…give it as much time as they need and trust your gut to wait longer if need be.
The next step is the "meeting." When you feel comfortable plan to have the meeting in a controlled environment like a room with all doors closed and maybe perhaps a helper or two. A good idea is to have some treats/food then bring the new baby in the room and have them all enjoy a little together apart. Give it to the new baby first as sort of a pleasant distraction, it makes the "meeting" or introduction" pleasant for all. You can do these meetings as much as you would like and feel comfortable moving to the next step.
Then the next meeting would be sort of a play date where you have a few toys, a string toy like DaBird is great because you can swing it between the 2 and they focus on the toy and not each other. Also have this "meeting" in a controlled room with close supervision. Have fun and entertain all kitties together, again it makes the "meeting" seem pleasant and fun…sort of a fun distraction so all the attention is not on the new kitty. It could take some time, but your love and patience and will eventually pay off. Never leave them unsupervised until they are 100% comfortable and fully transitioned.
Here is a great video from Jackson Galaxy about kitty introductions.
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