How to Introduce Cats and Kittens to Other Animals
Here’s a guide to ensure that introducing your cat or kitten to other animals goes as smoothly and as friendly as possible…
First impressions count when introducing your cat or kitten
What an exciting day it is when you bring your new kitten or cat home. Everyone wants to meet them and you know that all your friends and family, including the furry and feathered variety, will love this fluffy bundle of feline fun! Or will they?
Unfortunately the statement “first impressions count” is as true for our pets as it is for people. Start off on the wrong foot (or paw!) and the relationship between your new cat and the other members of your household may never blossom into friendship.
While it is very tempting to introduce your new cat to everyone and everything all at once, imagine how overwhelming it is for a young animal. Not only have you left the security of your mum, siblings and familiar surroundings but you are suddenly tossed into a world of new scents, sounds and other creatures who are wishing you hadn’t arrived at all!
Instead, how much easier it would be if you had time to get to know your new human owners, your bed, food bowl and the daily routine of the house. Then you’d feel settled and ready to get to know your new animal family. A little forethought can ensure that your cat has the best beginning in your household.
Settling In Your New Cat
When you get you cat home, take them to a room where they are secure. Remember it is easy for cats to escape so make sure your windows and door are closed.
Have their bed and a water bowl set up. Also a litter tray but keep this as far away from the other items as possible. Cats don’t want to sleep next to their toilet.
Get to know your new cat in this area. feed them little and often, as they will associate this pleasant experience with you. Bring other human family members in, but not too many at once.
Over the next few days, you might like to move your cat for an hour or so into a different area. Remove any other animals from the vicinity but let your new cat sniff around their belongings and spaces. You could let your other pets into the new cat’s room while they are absent, to let them sniff around.
Swap items with scent from your exisiting pets to your cat and vice versa. Animals place more importance on scent than humans do, so making the new scent a pleasant experience to encounter will aid in face-to-face introductions.
Gradually does it when introducing your new cat
Gradual, gradual, gradual. If there is one phrase that behaviourists say more than any others, it would have to be this one.
Give your new cat time to settle in to their new environment before you begin introductions to your other pets. This may be a few hours or even days and when they finally do come face-to-face, a few minutes may be sufficient at first. Control of the situation is extremely important to avoid any negative experiences, so keep at least one of the animals restrained initially until they are used to one another.
You can have your new cat in their cat carrier and place it up high to give the cat a feeling of security when in the room with another pet. Control he movements of the other pet so that they don’t scare your cat. For instance, keep a dog on a lead. If you have more than one other pet, introduce them one at a time.
Gradually build up the time the animals have together and their freedom within the shared space. Your patience at this stage will help all future interactions between your pets. Go at your pets’ pace.
Motivate your pets when introducing your new cat
Cats by nature are curious creatures and want to explore. They also want to get to know you and to find food and toys. Use all this knowledge to your advantage during introductions.
Consider what may motivate your existing pets. Cats may enjoy a special treat or simply a stroke along their back. Dogs may like a doggy treat when they sit quietly. Reward the good behaviour of your existing pets during introductions to the new feline arrival.
Encourage any friends and family members you have to help out too. Having one person present for each animal is always a good idea with introductions but ensure they are capable of handling your animals.