Introducing A New Cat To Your Old Cat

 

It is thrilling to have a new cat but what if you already have one? Deciding to have another cat into your home can be tough if you do not know how to introduce it to the one you already have. Though solitary by nature, many cats will accept or at least put up with additional company if the new cat is introduced to it appropriately.

If your cats are still kittens, it may take only a short while to introduce them. Usually, a 10 to 15-day introductory period is enough for the two kittens to get along. Both cats' temperament and personality influence the introductory process. Allay the feelings of your old cat by not showing preferential treatment to the new cat so that it will not think that it is its rival.

At first, you have to assign a safe room for the new cat when you bring it in your house for the first time. Let it reside there until you are sure that both the old and new cat are properly introduced. There are no specifics for the room that you could use - it can be a spare bedroom or a bathroom. The only thing to consider, however, is to use a space that the old cat does not go into. Prepare the room by putting a litter box, scratching post, and food and water dish inside it.

The new cat may be dominated by the old one by making it feel that it is not welcome in the house. The old cat may hiss and howl at the new cat when it notices it by the door. Not paying any attention to what the old cat is doing is the best thing to do. If you castigate the old cat, it might cause bigger problem for you later. Sooner or later, the old cat will calm down as it gets used to seeing the new cat by the door. Once the hissing and howling end, reward your old cat with praise and acknowledgment.

The introduction starts when the new cat is no longer aggressive when it sees the new cat by the door. Using the odor of each cat is an effective way to start the introduction. Start by having them utilize one food dish. They have to get accustomed to each other's scent first so you will need to feed them at different times.

You can feed them closer after they have been accustomed to each other's scent. Close the door of the safe room while you are giving food to the new cat inside. On the other hand, put the old cat at the opposite side of the door and feed it there. After a while, they will get accustomed to eating at the same time without growling or hissing. When you have been successful in doing this, you can now make them meet face to face. Making them see each other face to face may become difficult once again because the growling and hissing may commence. The new cat may have a difficult time with the old cat as it may show its refusal to share its territory. At first, play with them both so that they can greet and smell each other. If they fight each other, split them up and give some them some time before you make them meet again.

It is important to give both cats time. Patience is imperative in introducing cats to each other. Both cat will turn into happy and contented pets if you have introduced them properly. The old cat will surely like to have the new cat as its friend. Adding yet another pet later will them become much easier for you.