When bringing a brand new cat residence, it could be good if the resident cats welcomed the newcomer with open arms – or paws. Sadly, that’s not how these introductions often go. Cats which are assembly one another for the primary time, and even previous acquaintances, can typically hiss or swat at one another or begin an all-out brawl, leaving many homeowners to surprise, why don’t they like one another?
Cats are social animals and can have friends. However similar to human relationships, cat bonds can rely on personalities, moods, and previous historical past. You don’t turn into greatest associates with each particular person you meet. Why ought to we anticipate our cats to? We have to do not forget that our cats don’t get to decide on their housemates. When introducing cats, we have to give them a motive to love one another.
A number of Separate Assets
Some of the vital methods to scale back inter-cat aggression is to lower their competitors. Within the wild, feral cats can reside solo or in colonies of as much as 50 people. The deciding consider group dimension is the quantity of assets out there. If there are many mice in an space, a big group of cats can coexist with out competing for meals. If meals is scarce, the realm may solely assist one cat who should maintain others away.
In our properties, it doesn’t matter how huge your home is. Even when they’ve numerous house however just one meals bowl, the cats should compete for that useful useful resource and are more likely to show aggressive behaviors towards one another. Including a number of extra meals stations across the residence will lower their must defend an ample useful resource. Along with dividing meals places, you also needs to present a number of water bowls, litter packing containers, and resting areas (cozy beds and vertical perches). Simply including assets is typically sufficient to scale back stress between cats.
Sluggish Introductions
Introducing new cats or reintroducing established rivals must be a gradual course of. If we once more take a look at feral colonies, stranger cats are sometimes attacked on sight. New cats might combine into a gaggle, however they reside on the periphery for some time till they step by step turn into a part of the group.
Cat introductions in a house ought to begin with a full separation to imitate a brand new cat’s pure “life on the periphery.” When all cats within the residence are comfy, you’ll be able to introduce one sense at a time, beginning with scent. Scent is essential to how cats acknowledge one another and in the event that they odor like an outsider, they won’t be accepted into the group. You may swap bedding between the cats to allow them to get used to one another’s smells. You may as well take a clear sock or washcloth to rub one cat then the opposite to assist create a gaggle scent. Then you can begin introducing visible contact with a barrier like a display screen door or pet gate. In the event that they present consolation behaviors at this step, you’ll be able to take away the barrier for brief, supervised classes.
Create Optimistic Associations
At any stage of the reintroduction course of, the cats might begin to present indicators of discomfort or aggression across the different cat. That is after we will help them create optimistic associations. Anytime they’re put collectively, we will make it a enjoyable and thrilling occasion. We would like them to suppose, every time I see the brand new cat, one thing actually enjoyable occurs! You may make introduction classes particular a number of other ways:
- Meals or treats, particularly the cats’ favourite treats, could make a session thrilling for food-motivated cats. When utilizing meals, maintain the cats a good way aside. Cats don’t naturally eat in shut proximity to different cats and meals bowls too shut to one another can create pointless stress.
- Interactive play classes are one other enjoyable exercise for cats. Save their favourite wand toy for these events. Identical to with meals, maintain the cats aside so they don’t have to share the identical toy.
- Clicker coaching throughout introduction classes may give the cats one thing else to concentrate on apart from one another. You may observe easy behaviors like staying on a mat or targeting.
- Sample video games like Interact/Disengage can train a reactive or aggressive cat to redirect their focus. To start out this sport, click on when the cat appears on the different cat and supply a deal with. Repeat that a number of instances. Subsequent, once they take a look at the opposite cat, wait till they appear again at you – click on and deal with. This teaches them that turning their consideration away from the opposite cat is extra rewarding.
Introducing or reintroducing cats can go easily, whereas different instances will be lengthy and tough processes. In case you want assist integrating your multi-cat family, contact me at Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior and Training.
