Introducing Your New Kitten to Your New Home
Being a cat person, you are, of course, worried about how to minimize the stress on your new cat when you bring them home. This is not to be confused with how to introduce cats or a new cat/dog to any cats/dogs that are already in your home.
When you bring your new feline roommate home, it helps to try and put yourself in their place. Not literally, of course, because I doubt that you’d fit in their carrier. What I mean is to imagine that you have already made yourself at home someplace else. You have your routines, you know where the kitchen is, you know where you sleep, you can find your way to the bathroom and you have even gotten to know the neighbors. You feel safe.
Then one day some big stranger scoops you up, puts you in a box, takes you somewhere in a vehicle that you don’t understand and puts you in a whole new place (with all new smells, sights, etc.). All of the things you used to know are gone. You have no idea where anything is, and you don’t even know if you’re safe. You’re going to be freaked out, right?
Well, welcome to the reality of your new kitten. If you think about it this way, you can realize that placing a cat in a new environment is very stressful for them. I don’t want to unduly alarm you, but it is possible that making the transition too stressful can cause your cat to act up (like peeing and pooping in inappropriate places), make them sick (throwing up, or even problems from not going to the bathroom), or create behavioral problems (like biting and scratching and hiding). The good news is that there are several things you can do to make moving a less stressful transition for your new kitty.
To reduce your cat’s stress, keep these goals in mind: keep their world small, give them control, keep stimulation to a minimum, make sure they have a place to feel safe and make it easy to find what they need (food, water and a litter box). Each of these goals is important, but let’s review them in order.
These are a few things you can do when you introduce your new cat:
First: Keep their world small. Having a spare bedroom to explore and learn is a lot less daunting than having a whole house where who knows what might be waiting to pounce on them. Before you bring your new roommate home, set up a room for them. It should be relatively small, you should be able to close the door, and you need to put a food source, a water source and a litter box in the room. Also: make sure that you can easily maintain the food, water and litter.
Nancy Lee's note: This is an enclosed and secure room in which I would suggest bonding with your kitten...before letting him or her explore any other rooms in your home. Remember to keep other pets away from this kitten until your kitten is fully ready to be introduced to another pet (see articles below on this Knightwood Ragdolls' website on "How to Introduce Your New Kitten to Your Current Pet").
Also, by waiting to introduce your kitten to other pets (this includes meeting other people, such as family, friends, etc.), your kitten will bond with YOU and not the others in his or her life.
Second: Give your cat control from the moment you bring them in the room. Make sure the door is shut then set their carrier down on the floor, open the door, and move away. Your cat should be able to see you, but you shouldn’t be so close that they feel threatened. Let your cat come out when they feel like it and do not try and pull them out: it’s terrifying for the cat.
Third: Keep things quiet and relaxed. Let your cat come to you when they are ready. Resist the urge to bring out the cat toys and laser pointers. Cats are curious and, in time, they will come to see who you are. When they do, move gently. Offer your finger for them to sniff and, maybe, claim by rubbing their cheeks on it.
Fourth: Give them a hidey-hole or a place to retreat and feel safe. It works well to just keep the carrier door open so they can retreat into it if they feel scared. An old blanket formed into a “nest” in the corner works well. If you are in a bedroom your cat will likely scoot under the bed. This is okay. Let them. They won’t be under the bed forever and they feel safe there.
Finally: Make sure that they know where their food, water, and the litter box is. Let them find these things on their own (don’t pick them up and “introduce” them). Again, it might take time, but your new friend will find what they need and all you have to do is be patient while they do.
These seem like simple, logical things to do, and they are. Sometimes, though, it’s very difficult to be patient and let your cat adjust. If you can let your cat adjust to things on their own timetable, you’ll be rewarded with a happy, well-adjusted furry friend.
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Tips to Introduce a New Cat or Dog
to Your Pet Family
If you are a cat or dog owner who has just brought a new animal home, it can sometimes be a rough adjustment on your ‘home’ cat or dog! After all, he or she has been getting all the attention for some time. However, some cats and dogs adjust instantly and love the addition of a new cat/dog and have no trouble at all, while others need some encouragement and training to do so. With a little love and effort, you can have a happy household of cats and dogs.
If you have the time, it is best to introduce your cats and dogs away from home and let them get to know each other before coming home. That way, the introduction is not as jarring or a surprise. However, all the steps below can be accomplished in your home. This article will focus on dogs although the same idea can be applied to cats.
Start by having separate areas for your cats/dogs
The best way to introduce new cats or dogs to each other is slowly and with caution. As mentioned above, sometimes it will be love at first sight, while, at other times, it will be a sniffing party and a cautionary meet. Therefore, it is best to have separate areas for your cats/dogs in case they don’t get along. You can use a dog’s or child’s gate to separate them, cat or dog crates or put your cats/dogs in separate rooms. And, make sure that they know, on command, when you say ‘stop’ or ‘leave’ that they will go to their separate areas.
Introduce your cats or dogs in a neutral area where neither cat/dog has been
If you can introduce your cats or dogs in a spot which hasn’t been occupied by your first (home) cat/dog, this is advantageous as it is common ground. You might need some help with this (another family friend or neighbor) and you should always have both cats/dogs on leashes. You can slowly bring them together and see how they respond to each other. If they seem antagonistic, give them a break and try again later. If they both react well with each other, praise them and give them treats.
Nice to meet you!
Don’t force your home cat or dog to protect his or her home area. If the cats/dogs meet in a neutral location, they are less likely to view the other as an intruder. Start in a neutral zone such as a neighbor’s fenced in yard or enclosed park that your resident cat/dog has not visited. Each cat/dog should be on a reliable leash and handled by a separate person.
Positive Reinforcement always works best in introducing new dogs
You want your cats or dogs to have positive experiences with each other right from the start. Let your cats/dogs’ sniff each other and greet each other normally. Give them positive reinforcement through calm verbal affirmations. After letting them play for a while, put both in a ‘sit’ or ‘stay,’ then let them interact again. Finally, take them on walks together, allowing them to sniff each other along the way. Give them both treats at the same time for good behavior.
Play close attention the both dog’s body posture as you introduce your dogs
Watch out for your cat’s or dog’s body posture which will show a defensive response. Defensive body posture includes hair standing up the back, teeth-baring, deep growls
and/or a stiff legged gait or a prolonged stare. If a cat or dog goes into these postures, immediately switch into positive reinforcement mode and get your cat/dog to follow your teachings. Let your cats or dogs interact again and shorten the distance between the two.
Once your cats or dogs seem to be tolerating each other, it’s time to bring them home (or in the same room). Let them run in together, establish their space and you might have to start over with the steps above.
Introducing a puppy to your current home dog or dogs
As we all know, kittens and puppies are adorable but they are also lots of work and energy (and a bundle of joy). Since kittens/puppies are still learning, they usually wind up bothering adult dogs to no end. Kittens and puppies simply have trouble recognizing that their actions are bothering adult dogs. Most adult cats/dogs with good temperaments will growl or snarl at recklessly playful kittens/puppies in order to set boundaries of acceptable behavior. This is normal and is actually a positive thing. However, never allow a kitten or a puppy and an adult dog to be left alone together, for the safety of both animals. Also give your adult cat or dog plenty of time away from the kitten or puppy, and try to give them some quality time alone with you and your family whenever time permits.
Always have separate cat and/or dog bowls for your current cat/dog and kitten/puppy. You might even want to feed them separately at the start so they each, especially the kitten or puppy, gets used to eating on his or her own. If you can put a divider up in the kitchen or feed them in separate rooms, it is a good way to start and eventually you can have them eating at the same time.
If you take the time to introduce a new cat/dog to your home dog/cat, they will usually get along fabulously. Make sure that your home cat or dog gets extra attention so he or she doesn’t feel like he is being replaced. And, if none of the above work and your cats or dogs are not getting along, you should consider hiring a cat or dog trainer.
— petpav.com
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How to Introduce Your New Cat to Other Cats
by Joanne Anderson
Cats are like potato chips. It is hard to have just one. There is a right and wrong way to introduce a new cat to your feline residents. Throwing them together while saying, “Fluffy, I would like you to meet your new brother, Felix, who will be sharing your food bowl, litter box and my lap from now on” can create chaos. Cat to cat introductions should be gradual and carefully planned so all the cats involved associate initial interactions with pleasantries like treats, attention and play time. First impressions are important to fine tuning household harmony.
Some kitties find us. We have no choice over the cat that appears on our doorstep and wants to be assimilated into the fold; but when selecting an adult cat from a shelter, it is preferable to choose one who previously lived with other cats or one the staff knows gets along with others.
At certain breeders homes or shelters some cats have communal cages or possibly a mini-mixer while their cages are being cleaned, so the kennel attendants can recommend Mr. or Ms. Congeniality. You might want to match personalities. An active youngster deserves an energetic buddy whereas a sedate senior would be better alongside another couch potato. If you insist on a kitten and your cat is elderly or grumpy, adopt two, so the kittens have each other to pester. Of course, spayed and neutered cats are much easier to integrate than intact adults.
No one introduction method is gospel, but many experts suggest that the new cat be a ‘mystery guest,’ housed in a separate, comfy area for at least a week. This way each feline has the time and space to get used to the sounds, smells, and glimpses of each other from a safe distance before meeting face to face.
Your cats already have their established territories so the newbie’s temporary quarters can be a bedroom or bathroom equipped with litter box, dishes, toys, scratching post and bed. It is best to include a large open carrier or crate, so Felix has a hiding place if he feels stressed while acclimating to his new environment. Close the door behind you, and then go visit your other cats. They will smell the new guy on you. They will also sense him through the door. Give them tantalizing treats so they make a positive connection to eau d’Felix. Then spend quality time with Felix rewarding him with goodies, too.
Cats have glands in their cheeks that produce pheromones. When a cat rubs its cheek against your leg or furniture, these secretions promote comfort and well being. Pheromones are similar to a glandular pen pal. You can set up a scent exchange by brushing the cats with the same brush, trading blankets or towels or even using synthetic pheromone Feliway® spray or plug-in products which help relieve excitably.
Then for several days rotate rooms, giving each cat contingent a chance to inspect the lair of the other. This way the newcomer gets to explore the whole house while rubbing his facial calling card on strategic spots. Feed the cats (still separate) tasty wet food in each area. Cats are like me— the way to their heart is through their stomachs.
Finally visual meet n’greets can be done behind baby gates or opening the door a crack. Another way is bring the newcomer into the room inside a carrier. Let everyone sniff through the bars for a time. Try this for several days, if necessary. As an alternative, folks who frequently foster cats and kittens often set up larger cat exercise pens within the main traffic flow of the home, but their resident cats are usually accustomed to 4-legged visitors.
If you try this, you can cover the exercise pen with a sheet when the new cat needs security. The exercise pen method lets the new one witness his peers up close. Cardboard boxes with exit holes make safe retreats when all are free together. (If there is significant aggression, separate the cats and start the sequence again, but more slowly.) Play time is a special way to cement a bond. Fishing pole toys allow the new cat to participate in the fun from afar. Other tips include adding drops of Bach Flower Essences (Rescue Remedy) to the water bowl or feeding the cats at opposite ends of the room and gradually moving them closer. Treats may entice the cats to stay near each other.
The process can take days to weeks to months depending on the cat dynamics. There will probably be some hissing and spitting. If a huge ruckus erupts, distract them; then praise them when it’s calm. Do not rush things. If a cat runs away to hide, do not force close encounters. Even if progress is made, monitor all minglings for the first few weeks. When no one is home, the new cat should stay in his ‘safe room.’
Your patience may well pay off. Some cats eventually become soul mates. Your cats may never be best buddies; some, like Garbo, rather be alone; others merely tolerate each other. When you think about it, there is nothing wrong with peaceful co-existence, either the feline or the human kind.
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HOW TO BRING HOME A NEW CAT WHEN YOU HAVE OTHER PETS
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Nancy Lee Cathcart
Knightwood_Ragdolls@comcast.net
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