Step By Step Instructions · Kinship

In the event you’re a cat lover, only one cat is never ever sufficient. However introducing cats is usually a little bit of a minefield, particularly whenever you don’t know the way both pet will react. Cats tend to be extremely territorial towards different felines, so you need to make each animals’ security a precedence and be sure that each cats are correctly socialized earlier than they meet.

Overwhelmed but? Whereas introducing two cats could seem to be a problem, it doesn’t need to be hectic. Simply take issues slowly, one step at a time, as we’ve outlined beneath. And when you’re not sure about your skill to discover ways to introduce cats to one another, take into account enlisting the assistance of knowledgeable cat behaviorist, like Kristiina Wilson, who provides some tips about how you can assist your cats, if not like, not less than tolerate each other.

Navigating life with a brand new pet? Head to littleKin!

littleKin™ is Kinship’s residence simply for pet and kitten mother and father. Bop over to take a look at skilled recommendation, new pet instruments, and particular offers—all curated in your latest member of the family.

Cat introduction timeline

Introducing two cats is just not one thing you are able to do in a pair hours. Generally, it will probably take weeks — and even months — earlier than the cats really feel comfy round each other, and a few cats could by no means get pleasure from one another’s firm.

For the most effective probabilities of turning your cats into not less than roommates who tolerate one another, take your time and discover ways to introduce grownup cats, shifting on the animals’ tempo. If both cat exhibits any indicators of aggression or stress, corresponding to a tucked tail or flattened ears, take a break and transfer again a step within the course of.

In the event you can, attempt to introduce your new cat’s odor into the home earlier than you carry them residence, ideally not less than per week earlier than. Then, you possibly can observe the final timeline beneath, however be prepared to regulate primarily based on how the cats react to one another:

The day earlier than bringing a brand new cat residence, create a delegated house for the cat—ideally, a room with a door you possibly can shut.
Two days in, swap scents by switching the cats’ bedding, permitting them to odor each other.
5 days in, work on constructing constructive associations by rewarding every cat with a favourite deal with after they react calmly to the opposite cat’s scent.
Inside per week, if all goes effectively, permit the cats to see one another via a barrier like a child gate.
Ten days in, if the cats present no indicators of aggression, strive a supervised, face-to-face assembly.

Wilson recommends utilizing cat pheromones as effectively — and having the scent going within the room earlier than you carry a brand new cat residence.

Introducing cats: step-by-step information

If you’re introducing two cats, the method is much from easy. Be certain to take issues slowly, step-by-step, and take note of each cats’ reactions and physique language to see if it’s essential retreat again to a earlier step.

“In the event you see the cat is anxious, upset, or aggressive, cease the session and restart it later after everybody has calmed down,” Wilson emphasizes.

Preserve the cats separate.

“Take time to start with to set your self up for fulfillment,” Wilson says. “Have a room arrange with a door that shuts for the brand new cat, and hold them there for a day or two or per week, relying on how shortly they modify.”

Be certain to maintain the door closed so the resident cat can’t enter the room and watch out when going out and in your self. It’s additionally a good suggestion so as to add a pet or child gate on the door to forestall any sudden encounters between the 2 cats earlier than they’re able to be friends.

Change scents.

As soon as the brand new cat is used to their house, permit every cat to smell your palms and clothes after you work together with the opposite. This helps them get accustomed to 1 one other’s smells. You too can swap their bedding so every cat can get aware of the opposite’s scent and even sprinkle a number of treats on the bedding to assist create constructive associations.

Let the cats discover one another’s areas.

Proceed to maintain the cats separated, however permit them to discover one another’s areas. Preserve an in depth eye on every cat for any indicators of discomfort or sad vocalizations, like growling or hissing.

Encourage playtime close to the door (and perhaps a peek).

If neither cat appears upset by the unseen presence of the opposite, encourage your resident cat to play close to the door—with out opening it but. Use string toys to get each cats’ consideration, steadily bringing them nearer, with the closed door separating them. If all goes effectively, take into account opening the door so every cat can get a glimpse of the opposite.

Permit the cats to fulfill nose to nose.

Lastly, open the door (with the gate nonetheless in place) to permit the cats to see each other. Search for constructive indicators, like relaxed physique language, light eye contact, and elevated tails. If there isn’t a hissing or indicators of concern or aggression, take away the gate and permit the cats to work together. All the time supervise these interactions and proceed to separate the cats whenever you’re not residence till they’re comfy being alone collectively.

Introducing cats with out separation

Whilst you can introduce cats with out separating them first, most specialists don’t advocate this technique. Some cats could just do fantastic with a sudden intro, whereas others could grow to be pressured, territorial, and even violent.

Earlier than making an attempt a fast introduction, take into account how effectively you already know each cats’ temperaments and the way comfy you’re with dealing with the method by yourself.

How lengthy does it take for cats to get alongside?

For many cats, it takes a number of weeks for them to really feel comfy round one another. However each cat is totally different, and a few could get used to 1 one other way more shortly — or take weeks longer.

It’s a good suggestion to take care of separate areas for every cat for not less than a number of weeks and ensure to have a number of litter containers all through the home. Additionally, bear in mind the totally different personalities of every cat and perceive how you can introduce kittens or how you can introduce a kitten to a cat.

Indicators cats are beginning to get alongside

Wish to know in case your cats are lastly getting alongside? Look out for these indicators:

Relaxed physique language, corresponding to blinking, delicate eye contact, and tails lifted up within the air
Mild head-butting
Grooming each other
Snuggling or napping collectively
Touching noses
Taking part in or wrestling

“When two cats headbutt one another (often known as bunting), this implies they like one another,” Wilson says. “So does resting on the identical sofa or mattress along with their butts touching and being comfy going through away from one another.”

assist cats get alongside

Top-of-the-line strategies for how you can get cats to get alongside is to create constructive associations with the opposite cat. That may embody giving your cat a favourite deal with or toy when the opposite cat is round.

Listed below are a number of different solutions for bettering the connection between two cats:

Be certain there are many assets within the residence so there’s no sense of competitors (i.e., litter containers, meals and water, toys, and locations to cover or relaxation).
Spay or neuter your cats to assist cut back emotions of aggression.
Introduce the cats slowly—don’t rush the method.
Present loads of consideration and playtime for each cats.

FAQs (Individuals additionally ask):

How a lot hissing is regular when introducing new cats?

Cats typically categorical themselves via hissing, so a few of this habits after they first meet is regular. Nevertheless, if the hissing doesn’t settle down after a couple of minutes, or if there’s any signal of aggression (like chasing, screaming, flattened ears, or hitting with power), separate the cats instantly.

How can I acclimate a cat to a brand new residence?

When introducing a brand new cat to your property, create an area only for the brand new cat with their very own meals and water bowls, litter field, bedding, and toys. Be affected person and provides your cat loads of time to regulate to their new setting, slowly permitting them to discover your property as they start to really feel extra comfy.

Do female and male cats get alongside?

Do feminine cats get alongside? Do male cats get alongside? Opposite to in style perception, the sexes of two cats have little to do with whether or not they are going to get alongside. A male cat and a feminine cat can simply get alongside, particularly if they’ve comparable personalities. Be certain to spay or neuter each cats as soon as they’re sufficiently old.

How do I introduce a cat to a canine?

When introducing a cat and a canine, hold each pets separate at first and ensure to work on fundamental instructions along with your canine. As soon as each animals have sniffed one another out with out seeing each other, you can begin supervised face-to-face conferences. By no means rush these introductions, and proceed slowly and with warning.

Step By Step Instructions · Kinship Leave a comment