How to introduce a new cat or kitten into your home

This information is from a trusted source - Feral Cat Rescue Trust Durban.

There are many many kittens out there looking for homes and I cant tell you how many times I hear the same story - my cats dont get along or my cat left home when the kitten arrived. The last thing you want is for your existing cat to be unhappy when the new cat/kitten arrives, so PLEASE follow these simple steps to make everyone's life a happy one .

When you take your new cat/kitten home, please do not introduce him/her to your other kitty immediately. Cats are territorial and it is best to put new kitty in his/her own room in the house, with his/her own litter tray, so that your other cat/cats can only associate her by smell. Your existing kitty will forget that the allocated room is his/her territory. (Please don’t put new kitty in a room where existing kitty sleeps otherwise it will put his/her nose out of joint) While new kitty is in there, feed him/her and your existing kitty both treats on either side of the door, for example catnip or biltong, so that whilst they are eating their treats, they associate each other’s smell with something good. If your existing kitty does not enjoy any treats, then just put his/her food outside the door. Also take a damp cloth and wipe both of their cheeks, back and forth with the same part of the cloth, so that their smells are rubbed on to each other. Also make sure that ALL the windows are closed in new kitty’s room - even the smallest, highest windows MUST be kept closed, as cats don’t have collar-bones as such and can squeeze their way through the tiniest gaps. We hear far too many sad stories on a daily basis about new cats getting out, never to be seen again, so please be very vigilant about this!

Eventually after about a week or so, start leaving the door open for new kitty, he/she will come out and explore and when he/she feels nervous or afraid, he/she will run back into his/her safe haven. Make sure that you watch your existing kitty very closely when new kitty is out of it’s room, in case he/she gets too boisterous or nasty. Until you are comfortable and happy that they are firm friends, keep them separated whilst no-one is there to monitor them. I know this is a bit of a slow process, but let me tell you that one or two weeks in your life goes really quickly! It is worth being patient and doing it properly, as once the damage has been done, it mostly can never be undone. There are so many homes where cats have to be kept separate as they don’t like each other, this is mostly due to being thrown in together and not introducing them in the correct manner.

Dogs must be introduced slowly and carefully - one at a time, starting with the most docile. Make sure the introduction is done in a closed room – no doors or windows open, so if kitty takes fright he/she wont disappear never to be seen again. Your dogs MUST be taught that the new cat is part of the family and that they are NOT allowed to chase it!

If introductions don’t go smoothly, seek professional help immediately. Your pets 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 will not work, and could make things worse.

From a communication perspective keep calm and perhaps take a few breaths before you attempt exercises.

Keep the outcome you desire in your mind rather than a negative one.

Now, with all of this in mind, hopefully everything goes very smoothly for you and your pets…

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