Proper Cat Introductions

18th June 2015

To celebrate National Adopt a Shelter cat month, we are exploring education about our feline friends! Last week, we looked at the importance of interactive play and cat enrichment. This week we are taking a look at how proper introductions play a crucial role in your cat's life!

Life changes can be extremely stressful for cats, so when welcoming your new furry friend into your family, it is critical to help your cat adjust properly! Also, if you have other animals in the home, a proper introduction is key to developing a positive relationship. Resist the urge to plop your cat down in the middle of a busy house, surrounded by commotion and other pets. Instead, give the cat a few days to decompress in a small room with access to food, water, and a litter box. Let the cat get comfortable in the smaller area and bond with you on his or her own terms. Do not force the cat to interact, instead give him or her time to adjust by incorporating treats and interactive play into your daily routine.

If you have other animals in the home, let them smell the new cat in his or her room through the doorway and slowly let them get used to the other's scent. Once the cat seems comfortable, slowly expand the area he or she can explore. Use baby gates to allow animals to smell each other through a barrier. Never force animals to be around each other, and instead, manage the animals so that they have positive interactions! For example, feed high value treats on either side of the barrier/baby gate when the animals interact. That way, the new cat and your animals will associate positive things happening when the other animal is nearby. If it is a cat to cat introduction, use interactive play to build a relationship between the cats. You want it to 'rain' positive things from the sky when the animals see one another- that way they associate the other animal with good things.

According to Victoria Stilwell, "slow introductions are the key to long-term success. Let your dog and cat smell each other through the doorway of the cat's safe room. If your dog is not overly excited, you can put up a baby gate in the doorway and walk him past the cat's room several times a day. Keep your dog on leash during all initial introductions. A dog can easily injure or kill a cat, even in play. Let your cat warm up to your dog slowly. She should always have that safe space to run and hide when frightened."

Are you interested in introducing a new cat to your family? Here at PAWSIbilites, we have some amazing cats available for adoption! In addition, we have knowledgeable staff to help guide you through proper introductions! We offer free behavior training and advice throughout an animal's entire lifespan. Adopting a rescued animal is a life changing experience and we want you to experience that joy! Stop by our shelter to meet some of our adoptable animals today! http://www.summithumane.org/adopt/