Difference between revisions of "Bring a Second Cat Into the Family and Not Make Your Old Cat Upset"
m (importing article from wikihow) |
m (Text replacement - "[[Category: C" to "[[Category:C") |
||
| (4 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
# Give your cats enough time. Both cats will require your love and attention. This means petting them, and also playing with them. Set aside twenty minutes, twice a day to play with your cats. If they can't yet play together, make sure you give them equal time. | # Give your cats enough time. Both cats will require your love and attention. This means petting them, and also playing with them. Set aside twenty minutes, twice a day to play with your cats. If they can't yet play together, make sure you give them equal time. | ||
#Be sure there is enough space for your cats. A studio apartment might not be the best place to keep two cats. Adding vertical spaces, like cat towers, can help to give your cats more room. Cats like to be able to create social distance, and too much crowding can stress them out. | #Be sure there is enough space for your cats. A studio apartment might not be the best place to keep two cats. Adding vertical spaces, like cat towers, can help to give your cats more room. Cats like to be able to create social distance, and too much crowding can stress them out. | ||
| − | #*Cats are naturally territorial. These are natural impulses in cats, and so conflict over territory is to be expected, though not guaranteed.<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/introducing_new_cat.html?credit=web_hpfs3-introducing-cats-081815</ref> | + | #*Cats are naturally territorial. These are natural impulses in cats, and so conflict over territory is to be expected, though not guaranteed.<ref name="rf1">http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/introducing_new_cat.html?credit=web_hpfs3-introducing-cats-081815</ref> |
#*About 19 square feet of floor per cat is recommended when housing multiple cats. | #*About 19 square feet of floor per cat is recommended when housing multiple cats. | ||
#*When choosing a new adult cat, getting one of a similar size as your old cat (if possible) will reduce the likelihood of one intimidating the other simply due to their relative sizes. | #*When choosing a new adult cat, getting one of a similar size as your old cat (if possible) will reduce the likelihood of one intimidating the other simply due to their relative sizes. | ||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
===Introducing the Cats=== | ===Introducing the Cats=== | ||
| − | #Keep cats separate at first. Try not to let your cats even come into contact on their first few days. Put the newcomer in a small room by themselves. They will more comfortable in the smaller confines, and they will be unable to come into contact with your current cat. Start by doing this for seven days.<ref>http://anticruelty.org/pet-behavior-and-training/diy-tips-for-training-your-cat/introducing-a-new-cat-to-your-cat/</ref> | + | #Keep cats separate at first. Try not to let your cats even come into contact on their first few days. Put the newcomer in a small room by themselves. They will more comfortable in the smaller confines, and they will be unable to come into contact with your current cat. Start by doing this for seven days.<ref name="rf2">http://anticruelty.org/pet-behavior-and-training/diy-tips-for-training-your-cat/introducing-a-new-cat-to-your-cat/</ref> |
#*This is a slow acclimation process, and you may have to repeat it. | #*This is a slow acclimation process, and you may have to repeat it. | ||
#*Don't ignore your old cat when you get a new cat. This can cause your old cat to hate the new cat and feel sad. | #*Don't ignore your old cat when you get a new cat. This can cause your old cat to hate the new cat and feel sad. | ||
#Introduce them by smell. Allow the cats to smell each other under a door, but do not let them have physical contact. Bring toys or bedding that both cats use to allow the other to become accustomed to the new scent. This will help the cats get used to the idea that there is another cat around. | #Introduce them by smell. Allow the cats to smell each other under a door, but do not let them have physical contact. Bring toys or bedding that both cats use to allow the other to become accustomed to the new scent. This will help the cats get used to the idea that there is another cat around. | ||
#*Help your new cat to acclimate to the scent of the old cat using footwear. After a couple days have gone by, rub a small clothing item (such as a sock) all over the old cat, to pick up its scent. Then place it in with the new cat. Watch the reaction. Hissing is normal, but if the new cat is okay with the old-cat-scented sock, praise the new cat and give it a treat. | #*Help your new cat to acclimate to the scent of the old cat using footwear. After a couple days have gone by, rub a small clothing item (such as a sock) all over the old cat, to pick up its scent. Then place it in with the new cat. Watch the reaction. Hissing is normal, but if the new cat is okay with the old-cat-scented sock, praise the new cat and give it a treat. | ||
| − | #*Some behaviorists suggest rubbing the cats separately with the same towel to intermix their scents. First gently rub one cat with the towel. Then rub the other cat. After the towel carries both cats’ scents, bring the towel back to the first cat and rub her with it again <ref>https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat</ref> | + | #*Some behaviorists suggest rubbing the cats separately with the same towel to intermix their scents. First gently rub one cat with the towel. Then rub the other cat. After the towel carries both cats’ scents, bring the towel back to the first cat and rub her with it again <ref name="rf3">https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat</ref> |
#Introduce them by sight. Don't let them come into physical contact. A child or doggy gate will work to separate them in this case. Watch how they interact. Does their body language indicate distress, or do they seem calm and accepting of the other? These signs will inform you as to how long the process should take. Calm, friendly cats do not require as long an acclimation process as ones who exhibit aggression. | #Introduce them by sight. Don't let them come into physical contact. A child or doggy gate will work to separate them in this case. Watch how they interact. Does their body language indicate distress, or do they seem calm and accepting of the other? These signs will inform you as to how long the process should take. Calm, friendly cats do not require as long an acclimation process as ones who exhibit aggression. | ||
#*Stack two baby gates on top of each other in the doorway to the new cat's room, to ensure neither cat can get to the other. | #*Stack two baby gates on top of each other in the doorway to the new cat's room, to ensure neither cat can get to the other. | ||
| Line 40: | Line 40: | ||
#**Open-mouthed hissing or spitting | #**Open-mouthed hissing or spitting | ||
#**Might deliver quick strikes with front paws, claws out | #**Might deliver quick strikes with front paws, claws out | ||
| − | #Switch their positions. After some time, place your old cat in the room where you kept the new cat, and vice versa. This will let your old cat examine the smells of the new cat, and it will give the new cat a chance to be more familiarize itself with the space from which it was previously excluded. Do this a couple times, before proceeding in the acclimation process.<ref>http://www.arlboston.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Introducing-Cats-to-Other-Animals.pdf</ref> | + | #Switch their positions. After some time, place your old cat in the room where you kept the new cat, and vice versa. This will let your old cat examine the smells of the new cat, and it will give the new cat a chance to be more familiarize itself with the space from which it was previously excluded. Do this a couple times, before proceeding in the acclimation process.<ref name="rf4">http://www.arlboston.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Introducing-Cats-to-Other-Animals.pdf</ref> |
| − | #Allow them to interact. Once they've had time to adequately acclimate to the new situation, let them come into contact with each other. Keep a spray bottle handy, in case of aggression. If your cats get along fine, you may be ready to let them both roam free. Even still, pay close attention to their behavior. The key to having a multi-cat household is preventing territorial aggression.<ref>http://www.mspca.org/adoption/adoption-resources/new-arrival-introducing.html</ref> | + | #Allow them to interact. Once they've had time to adequately acclimate to the new situation, let them come into contact with each other. Keep a spray bottle handy, in case of aggression. If your cats get along fine, you may be ready to let them both roam free. Even still, pay close attention to their behavior. The key to having a multi-cat household is preventing territorial aggression.<ref name="rf5">http://www.mspca.org/adoption/adoption-resources/new-arrival-introducing.html</ref> |
#*Place them both in a room where you can supervise. | #*Place them both in a room where you can supervise. | ||
#*Only allow them about ten minutes or so for the first meeting. You can gradually increase it as the days go on, but you don't want them to become agitated. | #*Only allow them about ten minutes or so for the first meeting. You can gradually increase it as the days go on, but you don't want them to become agitated. | ||
| Line 66: | Line 66: | ||
#**Growling, shrieking | #**Growling, shrieking | ||
#**Scratching | #**Scratching | ||
| − | #**Preparing for an all-out attack by rolling onto side or back and exposing teeth and claws.<ref>https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/aggression-cats</ref> | + | #**Preparing for an all-out attack by rolling onto side or back and exposing teeth and claws.<ref name="rf6">https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/aggression-cats</ref> |
===Dealing with Aggression=== | ===Dealing with Aggression=== | ||
| − | #Know that there are many ways in which cat aggression manifests. Cats are complex, and not fully understood. But what we do know is that there are a number of distinct patterns of involved with cat aggression. These can be broken into a series of situation-oriented categories that are not mutually exclusive.<ref>http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/health_information/brochure_aggression.cfm</ref> | + | #Know that there are many ways in which cat aggression manifests. Cats are complex, and not fully understood. But what we do know is that there are a number of distinct patterns of involved with cat aggression. These can be broken into a series of situation-oriented categories that are not mutually exclusive.<ref name="rf7">http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/health_information/brochure_aggression.cfm</ref> |
#*Play aggression happens when cats take play too far. | #*Play aggression happens when cats take play too far. | ||
#*Fear/Defense aggression comes from the cat feeling endangered, possibly irrationally. | #*Fear/Defense aggression comes from the cat feeling endangered, possibly irrationally. | ||
| Line 82: | Line 82: | ||
#*Have room set up with food, water, a litter tray, and cat bed, and put the newest cat in there, as a form of time-out, to let the tension decrease. | #*Have room set up with food, water, a litter tray, and cat bed, and put the newest cat in there, as a form of time-out, to let the tension decrease. | ||
#*Use a leash or harness. This can give your cats more freedom, while still limiting their access to each other. | #*Use a leash or harness. This can give your cats more freedom, while still limiting their access to each other. | ||
| − | #Get medication. If the cats still cannot get along, your veterinarian may prescribe medication for both. Keep in mind that medication is only part of the solution, and your veterinarian may be reluctant to prescribe it before checking you have explored all behavioral options for introducing the cats to each other correctly. Medications are not a magic bullet. It must be used in conjunction with slow introductions and consistent rewards for peaceful behavior. Use medication as a last resort.<ref | + | #Get medication. If the cats still cannot get along, your veterinarian may prescribe medication for both. Keep in mind that medication is only part of the solution, and your veterinarian may be reluctant to prescribe it before checking you have explored all behavioral options for introducing the cats to each other correctly. Medications are not a magic bullet. It must be used in conjunction with slow introductions and consistent rewards for peaceful behavior. Use medication as a last resort.<ref name="rf7" /> |
#*Benzodiazepines are sometimes used when cats are fearful or aggressive in a highly reactive way. However, benzodiazepines reduce the cat's ability to learn, which makes it harder to teach the cat's to get along. | #*Benzodiazepines are sometimes used when cats are fearful or aggressive in a highly reactive way. However, benzodiazepines reduce the cat's ability to learn, which makes it harder to teach the cat's to get along. | ||
#*Tricyclic antidepressants can be used in case where there is extended conflict in multiple cat homes. | #*Tricyclic antidepressants can be used in case where there is extended conflict in multiple cat homes. | ||
| − | #*Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) work on similar neurotransmitters as Tricyclic antidepressants, but they work differently and with less selectivity, so they have a more general effect on the brain.<ref>http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cat-behavior-problem-medications?page=5#3</ref> | + | #*Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) work on similar neurotransmitters as Tricyclic antidepressants, but they work differently and with less selectivity, so they have a more general effect on the brain.<ref name="rf8">http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cat-behavior-problem-medications?page=5#3</ref> |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
