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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.
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. |
