Little Known Ways to New Cat Introductions
I’ve been blogging about my new cat CeCe whom I rescued from the Arizona Humane Society on August 9. I’ve been slowly introducing her to my cat Benny and he’s responding in a manner that has surprised me. He likes to tackle CeCe from the front like a wrestler from the WWF or WWE! New cat introductions can be a bit tricky.
CeCe was quarantined for over a week because she developed an upper respiratory infection. I was told by my veterinarian to take the new cat introductions slow. I was advised to try the “crate” technique; I didn’t do this because I was not about to go out and buy a crate. The alternative was to introduce Benny & CeCe in small time intervals each day. This was an experience.
Tips and Tricks
- Have someone else bring in the new cat. Ignoring the new cat will put the resident cat at ease. You give your cat the impression that it wasn’t your idea to bring another cat into the home.
- Keep the new cat away from your cat for at least two weeks. Even if the new cat was only at a shelter for five days or less they still can develop an upper respiratory infection.
- Make sure the new cat has its own feeding dishes and litter box. This way your cat will not be susceptible to an upper respiratory infection.
- Shower your cat with love and attention. There’s no reason to stop doting on your cat because of a new cat. And, it will show your cat that he/she still has primary status with you.
- Make sure the cats are spayed or neutered. Cats coming from the Humane Society will be spayed or neutered. Most shelters will offer the service for a low cost.
- Allow your new cat and resident cat to get to know each other under supervised play time. If their play gets to rough (fur is flying) separate them and try again in a few hours or the next day.
Benny is getting used to CeCe, although he doesn’t always show it. He was used to being the “King of the Apartment.” Now he must share me with this other cat who took a lot of my attention because she was sick. Yes, new cat introductions are just like introducing a 3-year old child to its new brother or sister.
I would like for Benny and CeCe to share a bathroom. Right now CeCe’s food and water is in my bedroom and her litter box is in my bathroom. Benny is known to use the litter box as well. It’s not fun having kitty litter all over the floor, especially when you step out of the shower and step on it. Yuck!
It’s interesting all of the “myths” that surround new cat introductions like male cats are more affectionate and accepting and a cat of one sex is more accepting of a cat of the opposite sex. These people obviously haven’t met Benny. He’s affectionate and growing tolerant of CeCe, but he’s still getting used to her in his own way on his own time.
I may not have done the new cat introductions the “right” way, but at least Benny and CeCe are getting used to each other. It may take another month or two before the claws, hissing, and spitting stop. Until then I’ll keep my chin up and pray that these two learn to get along. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!
Rebecca
What advice do you have on introducing a new cat into the household?
