Cats can sense tension; your nervousness could translate to anxiety for them, causing a rocky meeting. Gradually increase the amount of time the cats spend around each other while you are home and supervising. Once they are routinely spending 4 or 5 hours together without incident, you should be able to give both cats free run of the home overnight and then when you are away. The average time frame is a few weeks but it could take months for the cats to learn to tolerate each other. Maintain a separate litter box and feeding area for the new cat in his room for a few weeks.
It is highly recommended to have multiple resources for multiple cats. As long as the cats are getting along after a few weeks of being together you can try to forgo the extra food and water bowls if you must but watch for any signs of animosity or stress and return the bowls. If you would like information from an Anti-Cruelty Society Behavior Specialist regarding this behavior topic, please call or email behavior anticruelty.
Is your cat waking you at 2 a. At the crack of dawn does he or she race from one end of the house to the other or demand that you get out of bed and feed her NOW? You are not alone. Here are a few tips to help both you and your feline friend get a little more shut eye at night. Health Check. If your cat Keeping Cats Off Countertops and Tables The first step in keeping your cat off countertops and tables is to remove any opportunity or temptation.
As responsible pet owners, we want to give our pets the best chance possible to behave well. Make sure all your food items are put away or stored in cat-proof containers such as Tupperware or a bread bin Introducing Cats and Dogs Dogs and cats can make wonderful companions for each other. Care must be taken when introducing a dog to a cat, however; these are two different species with different ways of communicating and Petting-Related Biting Many cats enjoy being stroked— they purr, knead their paws, and lean into your hand.
Sometimes it seems they quickly change their minds and bite out of the blue. It may be tempting to rush the process, but patience will make everyone in the household people and cats much happier in the long run.
Your new cat should be kept in a single room during the initial stages of this introduction process. This may not be possible in a small apartment. For example, if your resident cat enjoys sleeping in your bedroom, ideally the new cat is kept in a room other than your bedroom.
Do not move on to any further steps until both the new and the resident cat are showing calm and relaxed behavior.
The new cat should be confidently exploring their room and showing social behavior with the people in the home. Only move on when you reach this point. The goal in this step is to show the cats that good things like treats happen when they see each other, to create positive associations. First, identify a food other than their regular food or treat that each cat loves. Moving forward, they are only going to get this treat in the presence of the other cat.
Good things can also be play time or even grooming if the cat s enjoys being brushed. The cats should not be directly interacting at this stage. Neither cat should be picked up and forced to see the other. You can encourage the resident cat to come near the baby gate using treats or play, but again, the pace of this introduction is determined by the cats. Here are two examples of how to create positive associations using the baby gate the first would take place before the second :.
Then immediately cover the baby gate with the sheet. This is easier to do if there is a second person, but can be done with one person. Repeat this activity five to 10 times in a row a few times a day. It will only take a few minutes each time. The key to this process is keeping the interactions very brief and positive. Your friend should open the door to your new cat's room whilst you are with your existing cat in another room or some distance away.
Watch the cats to see how they interact and if all is calm, reward them with a tasty treat. As time goes on, each cat will begin to adjust to the other. Any forcing or rushing on your part will only make the situation more stressful and the settling in process will be prolonged. Some cats become best friends and others will merely learn to tolerate each other.
If you feel that your cats are not getting on, then get in touch with us for further advice. Spare a minute to sign up and receive Battersea emails so that you can get all the latest tips and tricks from our animal experts. Skip to main content. How to care for your pets if you're ill or have to self-isolate due to coronavirus Lost and found dog advice Lost and found cat advice Dog advice Cat advice Puppy Advice.
How to introduce cats The most important part of introducing your new cat to your resident cat s is not to rush the process. Introducing cats to each other in three simple steps Step 1: Give your new cat time to settle Remember that your new cat needs time to settle so provide her with an area where she feels safe and can start to adjust to her new surroundings.
Step 2: Let them catch a glimpse After a day or so, when your new cat has settled, try wedging the door open an inch so they can glimpse each other.
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