CAPITAL HUMANE SOCIETY
2320
Introducing Your New Cat To Your Other Pets
Copyright Denver Dumb Friends League and
Humane Society of the
It’s
important to have realistic expectations when introducing a new pet to a
resident pet. Some cats are more social than other cats. For example, an
eight-year-old cat that has never been around other animals may never learn to
share her territory (and her people) with other pets in the household. However,
an eight-week-old kitten separated from her mom and littermates for the first time, might prefer to have a cat or dog companion. Cats are
territorial and need to be introduced to other animals very slowly in order to
give them time to get used to each other before there is a face-to face confrontation.
Slow introductions help prevent fearful and aggressive problems from
developing.
PLEASE NOTE:
When
you introduce pets to each other, one of them may send “play” signals which can
be misinterpreted by the other pet. If those signals are interpreted as
aggression by one animal, then you should handle the situation as “aggressive.”
Confinement
Confine
your new cat to one medium-sized room with her litter box, food, water and a
bed. Feed your resident pets and the newcomer on each side of the door to this
room. This will help all of them to associate something enjoyable (eating!) with
each other's smells. Don't put the food so close to the door that the animals
are too upset by each other’s presence to eat. Gradually move the dishes closer
to the door until your pets can eat calmly, directly on either side of the
door. Next, use two doorstops to prop open the door just enough to allow the
animals to see each other, and repeat the whole process.
Swap
Scents
Switch
sleeping blankets or beds between your new cat and your resident animals so
they have a chance to become accustomed to each other's scent. Rub a towel on
one animal and put it underneath the food dish of another animal. You should do
this with each animal in the house.
Switch
Living Areas
Once
your new cat is using her litter box and eating
regularly while confined, let her have free time in the house while confining
your other animals to the new cat’s room. This switch provides another way for
the animals to experience each other's scents without a face-to-face meeting.
It also allows the newcomer to become familiar with her new surroundings
without being frightened by the other animals.
Avoid
Fearful And Aggressive Meetings
Avoid
any interactions between your pets that result in either fearful or aggressive
behavior. If these responses are allowed to become a habit, they can be
difficult to change. It's better to introduce your pets to each other so
gradually that neither animal becomes afraid or aggressive. You can expect mild
forms of these behaviors, but don't give them the opportunity to intensify. If
either animal becomes fearful or aggressive, separate them, and start over with
the introduction process in a series of very small, gradual steps, as outlined
above.
Precautions
If
one of your pets has a medical problem or is injured, this could stall the
introduction process. Check with your veterinarian to be sure that all of your
pets are healthy. You'll also want to have at least one litter box per cat, and
you’ll probably need to clean all of the litter boxes more frequently. Make
sure that none of the cats are being "ambushed" by another while
trying to use the litter box. Try to keep your resident pets’ schedule as close
as possible to what it was before the newcomer’s appearance. Cats can make lots
of noise, pull each other's hair, and roll around quite dramatically without
either cat being injured. If small spats do occur between your cats, you
shouldn’t attempt to intervene directly to separate the cats. Instead, make a
loud noise, throw a pillow, or use a squirt bottle with water and vinegar to
separate the cats. Give them a chance to calm down before re-introducing them
to each other. Be sure each cat has a safe hiding place.
Cat
To Dog Introductions
Dogs
can kill a cat very easily, even if they’re only playing. All it takes is one
shake and the cat’s neck can break. Some dogs have such a high prey drive they
should never be left alone with a cat. Dogs usually want to chase and play with
cats, and cats usually become afraid and defensive. Use the techniques
described above to begin introducing your new cat to your resident dog. In
addition:
Practice
Obedience
If
your dog doesn’t already know the commands "sit," “down," "come"
and "stay," you should begin working on them. Small pieces of food
will increase your dog’s motivation to perform, which will be necessary in the
presence of such a strong distraction as a new cat. Even if your dog already
knows these commands, work with obeying commands in return for a tidbit.
Controlled
Meeting
After
your new cat and resident dog have become comfortable eating on opposite sides
of the door, and have been exposed to each other's scents as described above,
you can attempt a face-to-face introduction in a controlled manner. Put your
dog's leash on, and using treats, have him either sit or lie down and stay.
Have another family member or friend enter the room
and quietly sit down next to your new cat, but don’t have them physically restrain
her. Have this person offer your cat some special pieces of food or catnip. At
first, the cat and the dog should be on opposite sides of the room. Lots of
short visits are better than a few long visits. Don’t drag out the visit so
long that the dog becomes uncontrollable. Repeat this step several times until
both the cat and dog are tolerating each other’s presence without fear,
aggression or other undesirable behavior.
Let
Your Cat Go
Next,
allow your cat freedom to explore your dog at her own pace, with the dog still
on-leash and in a “down-stay.” Meanwhile, keep giving your dog treats and
praise for his calm behavior. If your dog gets up from his "stay"
position, he should be repositioned with a treat lure, and praised and rewarded
for obeying the "stay" command. If your cat runs away or becomes
aggressive, you’re progressing too fast. Go back to the previous introduction
steps.
Positive
Reinforcement
Although
your dog must be taught that chasing or being rough with your cat is
unacceptable behavior, he must also be taught how to behave appropriately, and
be rewarded for doing so, such as sitting, coming when called, or lying down in
return for a treat. If your dog is always punished when your cat is around, and
never has "good things" happen in the cat's presence, your dog may
redirect aggression toward the cat.
Directly
Supervise All Interactions Between Your Dog And Cat
You
may want to keep your dog on-leash and with you whenever your cat is free in
the house during the introduction process. Be sure that your cat has an escape
route and a place to hide. Keep your dog and cat separated when you aren't home
until you’re certain your cat will be safe.
Precautions
Dogs
like to eat cat food. You should keep the cat food out of your dog's reach (in
a closet or on a high shelf). Eating cat feces is also a relatively common
behavior in dogs. Although there are no health hazards to your dog, it’s
probably distasteful to you. It’s also upsetting to your cat to have such an
important object “invaded.” Unfortunately, attempts to keep your dog out of the
litter box by "booby trapping" it will also keep your cat away as
well. Punishment after the fact will not change your dog's behavior. The best
solution is to place the litter box where your dog can’t access it, for example:
behind a baby gate; in a closet with the door anchored open from both sides and
just wide enough for your cat; or inside a tall, topless cardboard box with
easy access for your cat.
A
Word About Kittens And Puppies
Because
they’re so much smaller, kittens are in more danger of being injured, of being
killed by a young energetic dog, or by a predatory dog. A kitten will need to
be kept separate from an especially energetic dog until she is fully-grown, and
even then she should never be left alone with the dog. Usually, a
well-socialized cat will be able to keep a puppy in its place, but some cats
don’t have enough confidence to do this. If you have an especially shy cat, you
might need to keep her separated from your puppy until he matures enough to
have more self-control.
When
To Get Help
If
introductions don’t go smoothly, seek professional help immediately (see our
handout: “When the Helpline Can’t Help”). Animals can be severely injured in fights, and
the longer the problem continues, the harder it can be to resolve. Conflicts
between pets in the same family can often be resolved with professional help.
Punishment won’t work, though, and could make things worse.