Even if in case you have years of expertise with cats, introductions can nonetheless really feel daunting, as kitties are very distinctive and complicated creatures. Nonetheless, we’ve created a step-by-step information to keeping off potential battle so your kitty household can reside fortunately ever after! Learn on to study find out how to introduce two cats for a contented house.
Find out how to introduce two cats and what to anticipate out of your feline associates
Step 1: Enjoying matchmaker: find out how to set your new kitty up for achievement earlier than they arrive house with you
Cautious consideration is required when bringing one other
kitty into the household, and similar to with any relationship, compatibility is an
essential issue. Is the cat you’d prefer to convey house at present dwelling in a
multi-cat family or in a shelter the place they get pleasure from being social with different
kitties? Or are they used to dwelling in a single-cat family and like their
independence?
Although opposites can generally entice,
it’s essential to contemplate your cat’s persona. An older kitty desirous to get
of their day by day catnaps is probably not passionate about sharing house with a
frisky, younger kitten. Likewise, a cat that loves rough-housing and plenty of play
might frighten or intimidate a shy kitty.
It’s essential to be affected person with the method as
it might take between Eight-12 months of bonding for kitties
to develop a friendship. Whereas any two cats can develop into nearer with time,
bringing house the best kitty for your loved ones will pave the best way to having a
glad, harmonious family.
Step 2: My house is my fort: ensuring each cats really feel safe
Your new feline good friend is starting a brand new chapter of their lives and should really feel a little bit of trepidation about this sudden change, however this can be a large adjustment in your present kitty, too. Establishing a territory for every cat is kind of presumably the one most significant step of the introduction course of. Whether or not it’s in your lounge, bed room or toilet, every kitty wants their very own house with their very own meals, water, and litter field the place they will really feel protected and cozy.
You must also guarantee your complete house is
conducive to serving to your cats really feel glad and guarded. Present them with tons
of spots to perch, reminiscent of cabinets or a cat tree. In the event that they really feel trapped, they
might revert to hiding.
In every kitty’s house, you must also have “scent soakers,” reminiscent of blankets and
scratching posts, so your kitty can unfold their very own scent round. Some additionally
recommend rubbing every cat with a towel to seize their scent throughout this
course of, after which change the towels between the 2 kitties to allow them to get
used to the shared scent.
As soon as a consolation degree has been established with
one another’s smells, you possibly can have every cat spend time in one another’s protected
place. Throughout this course of, you convey your new feline good friend into your current
cat’s house, and let your current cat enter your new kitty’s base of
operations. This offers them extra of a possibility to get used to one another’s
scents individually.
Step three: Sitting down collectively on the desk: making associates over dinner
As for meal instances, you’ll need to arrange
scheduled feeding instances, somewhat than free feeding. It will permit your cats to
develop a shared ritual of being fed. Initially, you must use an “different facet
of the door” approach, permitting them to create a constructive affiliation with
one another by way of meals. A pet gate or display is an efficient barrier to make use of.
You may additionally need to begin with a blanket draped
over the gate. This blanket will give the cats an added degree of safety.
Start with the bowls far aside and step by step transfer them nearer –– shut sufficient
that they sense every others’ presence by way of sound and scent however not sight.
As soon as they seem like extra comfy, you possibly can step by step elevate the blanket
with every feeding.
Step four: Seeing eye to eye: dealing with their very first assembly
You need to management the primary impression as it should set the temper for his or her relationship. It’s very important to make each effort to develop constructive associations between your feline associates. Consuming, taking part in, and receiving affection are actions that kitties are inclined to get pleasure from most, so these are all good alternatives to convey your kitties collectively.
Throughout their first few conferences, you must all the time supervise them; whether or not they’re engaged in a play session or having fun with a shared meal. When assembly throughout play, it’s greatest to usher in your new kitty when your different kitty is in the course of a play session.
It’s essential to have a wide range of toys
out there, as one kitty might go loopy for catnip whereas the opposite prefers kicker
toys. You possibly can obtain a month-to-month field with a mixture of participating toys and engaging
treats at KitNipBox to assist create a bonding expertise in your feline
associates!
Throughout this course of, utilizing a accomplice is nice so that you could hold each cats absolutely engaged. These play classes can final so long as you’d like, however consistency will assist. Some battle, nonetheless, is regular and pure, so don’t despair in case your two fur relations hiss of their first conferences. Fastidiously information every cat again to their safe space, both by utilizing your physique as a barrier or a mushy merchandise, reminiscent of a towel. Additional, if tensions escalate, you possibly can break up the battle by clapping your palms collectively or by creating one other distraction.You’ll need to repeat the introduction course of for all of the cats in your house, to allow them to every get used to the brand new kitty individually. As soon as these one-on-one relationships have been established and a way of consolation is current, you possibly can permit your feline household to mingle as a bunch.
Step 5: Fortunately ever after: setting your cats up as associates for all times
When achieved appropriately, with time and persistence, introducing a brand new cat to your family doesn’t must be difficult. So long as each cats are given correct time to regulate to their shared territory and are made to really feel safe all through the method, they could develop a life-long friendship with an unbreakable bond!
We hope this information helps you in your journey to increasing your cat household. Please share your experiences within the feedback with any particular suggestions which have labored for you.
There’s a
purrfect cat toy subscription service referred to as KitNipBox, by which you’d obtain a month-to-month field
with a wide range of enjoyable toys and engaging treats to welcome house the brand new member of
your loved ones!
KitNipBox visitor bloggers:
Candice Mikenas is the supervisor of KitNipBox‘s ameowzing customer support crew. She’s the proud mother of her kitty, Rory, and she or he enjoys studying, touring, and all issues cat!
Lauren Salley is a pawsome crew member from KitNipBox’s customer support crew. She loves spoiling her kitty, Gina, and in her free time, she enjoys karaoke and taking part in board video games!
