| How to Introduce a New Cat with Your Old One |
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| Written by Administrator |
| Thursday, 11 September 2008 07:11 |
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Do you know that cat behavior is directly affected by the environment your cat lives in?
That’s right. Cats are not indifferent to their environment, in fact they love stability and any social change may have an impact on the way they behave. Just like most pets, your cat can adapt but it will take time. If you plan to introduce a new cat to your old one, there is a possibility that your old cat may distance herself from the new cat. She may react by hiding for several days or she may act up to make the newcomer retreat. Don’t panic. There are ways that can make the transition easier for your two cats. In case your new cat becomes threatened, you should give her an area where she can retreat by herself if you have a spare room for your new cat that would be better. Why do you need to do this? By placing your cat in a spare room with the door closed for two to three days will help the two cats to adjust to each other’s scents and with the door closed you prevent your pets from hurting each other. Separating your two cats initially should give them the time for some adjustments thereby improving cats’ behavior. When it comes to choosing a new cat, a kitten is the best choice however, if you would like to have an adult cat as an addition to your household then look for one that has lived with other pets or cats. Getting a cat that is similar in sex as well as age to the old cat will make the introduction of the new cat a lot easier. If you already have other cats or plan to have multiple cats then there are combinations that work fine. For example, you may have a couple of kittens, one mature cat, neutered kitten and cat or you can go for a couple of matured neutered cats such as two females or a male and a female. It would mean trouble for you if you choose two uncastrated adult male cats. The competition will not help in improving two adult male cats’ behavior. Thinking about your old cat’s personality is a must before you introduce a new addition. A very active cat may likely accept a new kitten while a more passive cat may go along with another adult cat as her companion. Any personality conflict in your cats can be reduced by providing adequate space, possessions and food for each of your felines. While territory conflicts can be pacified by putting several litter boxes in different locations inside the house, this would prevent any exclusion of a cat from the other cat’s territory. Finally, don’t forget to have scratching posts as well as beds in several areas. These would accommodate all of your cats inside the house. Introducing a new cat or kitten can be difficult initially however, with these tips transition for all your cats should progress smoothly. |
| Last Updated on Saturday, 21 March 2009 17:03 |
