Whether you have one, two or many, cats could be fantastic members of your family. Because cats may be territorial, however, it is necessary to be cautious when bringing home a new cat and introducing it for your other feline family members. With patience and the proper precautions, you can ensure your entire cats get together.
Selecting Your New Cat
If you haven't yet chosen a new cat, the exact cat you decide to enhance your family can make introductions to other cats more amiable. Cats with similar behaviors and personalities are more inclined to get along well, like cats who prefer a relaxing, snooze-heavy way of life, or those that are more active, lively and curious. Similarly, try to not pair mismatched cats, such as a sedentary senior cat with a youthful, energetic kitten. When possible, the cat will probably adjust to its new home better if it's previously lived with other cats, as it will be more used to sharing territory, toys and care with other individuals.
Eliminating Trouble Before It Starts
There are simple actions you can take to minimize territorial behaviours and aggression before you get a new cat into your property. First, make sure your home is clean, and particularly, clean any bedding, upholstery, cat toys, litter boxes and other accessories that will hold strong scent markers of your recognized cat or cats. If those scent markers are reduced, the new cat will feel more at ease and not as intimidated by the domineering presence of established cats. This impartial land will be relaxing for all your cats since they get accustomed to one another and also the new dynamic between them.
Next, set separate territories in your home for each cat. Every cat must have its own feeding area, toys, bedding, scratching post and litter box, in addition to plenty of space to explore and sunshine to unwind in.
Making Introductions
Once you've brought your new cat into your home, it's time to start getting each cat familiar with every other cat. Use a towel or other soft palate and rub one cat's jaws, where the scent glands which make each cat's unique, person pheromones are located. If each cat remains relaxed with the new odor, start slowly switching bedding, toys and feeding bowls round so they are"shared" although the cats have not really met one another yet. This enables each cat to keep on growing accustomed to various feline scents without stress or anxiety.
After a few days of those out-of-sight introductions, it's possible to gradually decrease the separation between the cats' territories. This may mean cracking a door open so they can see one another, or using a baby gate to different chambers rather than a closed doorway. At first, see the cats carefully for any signs of anxiety or anxiety, like changes in appetite or litter box habits, aggression or excessive vocalization. If these symptoms occur, slow down the introductions to provide the cats longer time to adjust.
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Even as you are introducing new cats into one another, make sure not to neglect any of the cats with playtime and attention. This will guarantee and comfort each cat, and permit you to be a neutral party between them. Finally, your cats will be prepared to lower the physical barriers between their distances, and they'll be able to know one another more immediately. Keep supervising them as necessary, but be aware that small squabbles are a standard part of cats setting a house hierarchy. More serious confrontations, however, might require intervention and additional time apart as the cats grow used to one another.
