Battle between cats is the commonest challenge individuals come to me with. Whereas aggression can occur for different reasons, the easiest way to handle it’s to stop aggression from beginning within the first place. That begins with correctly introducing your cats to one another.
Tossing new cats collectively is a typical mistake that usually ends in catastrophe. When introduced with a completely unfamiliar animal with new scents and unpredictable habits, worry could kick in and the cats will enter “struggle or flight” mode. Actually, feral cats will typically assault unfamiliar cats on sight, so it is sensible that our home cats would try this, too. With that form of first impression, it’s tough for them to be taught to belief one another.
As an alternative, cats must be launched slowly. In feral teams, new cats could be a part of the group, however solely after dwelling on the sting of the colony for some time. Home cat introductions ought to mimic that “life on the periphery” by beginning with a full separation. Whether or not you’ve got a brand new cat or your current cats are having points, you’ll wish to begin by establishing a safe, separate space for them. Then comply with these 4 steps for introducing (or reintroducing) your cats.
Step 1: Scent Swapping
A cat’s sense of odor is an extremely vital method for them to collect info. They use scent to mark their territory and acknowledge pals or strangers. Whereas nonetheless sustaining whole separation, you’ll begin introducing the cats’ scents to one another in two methods:
- Bedding Swap: usher in a cat’s favourite bedding or toy, something that their scent is on, for the opposite to research on their very own.
- Room Swap: permit the cats to commerce locations every day. Transfer the resident cat right into a separate room or the brand new cat’s base camp room whereas the brand new cat will get an opportunity to discover the remainder of the house.
I don’t advocate any “compelled” scent swapping by rubbing a fabric on one cat after which the opposite. That tends to be traumatic for the cat and takes away their capacity to decide on their publicity to the brand new smells. How would you prefer it if somebody rubbed a stranger’s soiled laundry on you?
Count on this step to take at the very least one or two weeks to let each cats really feel totally assured across the different’s scent.
Step 2: Scent Swapping By means of a Door
As soon as the cats are snug with passive scent swapping, it’s time to be extra intentional about constructing optimistic interactions between them. By means of a closed, strong door, let the cats odor and listen to one another or peek by means of the cracks whereas doing one thing enjoyable like offering high-value treats or an interactive play session. Preserve these periods brief, between 5-10 minutes every.
Some behaviorists will inform you to feed cats on both aspect of the door. I don’t advocate this as a result of I discover that cats discover it traumatic, and that’s the very last thing we would like related to the brand new cat.
Step 3: Visible Contact
Subsequent, they’re able to see one another. Use a display screen door or pet gate (ideally two stacked on prime for security) to stop bodily contact. Begin with a blanket or piece of cardboard protecting many of the gate to allow them to simply see one another by means of a small crack. Make these periods tremendous enjoyable by pumping them filled with treats, reward, and play. Once more, hold these periods brief. Cats have a brief consideration span, so that you would possibly begin at 2 minutes and work as much as 5 minutes.
Regularly raise the blanket again, giving the animals increasingly visible entry as time goes on. If both cat hisses, growls, or stares intensely on the different, give the cats more room and again up a bit till they’re capable of take treats once more. Chances are you’ll have to cowl the gate extra or return a step.
Step 4: Take away the Boundaries
When the cats are snug and capable of chill out with the gate totally uncovered, it’s time to take away that gate. For these periods, begin with the cats on reverse sides of the room (10-20 ft aside). Proceed all of the enjoyable issues (treats, play, reward) individually. Ultimately the cats will meet nostril to nostril. By this level, if they’ve been snug by means of all of the earlier phases, they need to be totally accustomed to the scents, sounds, and sight of one another and the assembly will hopefully go easily.
Troubleshooting
When you see behaviors indicating that the cats are uncomfortable (staring, hissing, growling) at any stage, return a step. Chances are you’ll even want to return a couple of steps to seek out the place they will present consolation behaviors like consuming, taking part in, grooming, and relaxed physique posture. Don’t rush this course of. Relying in your particular person cats, every step could take you a couple of days or a couple of months to get by means of.
When you hold getting caught or have a serious setback like a struggle, don’t hesitate to succeed in out for assist. Cat introductions may be tough and personalised steerage from knowledgeable will help you get by means of these sticky spots. Contact us at Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior and Training for in case you need assistance integrating your cats into one completely happy family.
