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Old 05-07-2010, 04:02 PM
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Default Re: IMPORTANT: Read this before you bring a new kitten/cat home

Unless your new cat has lived her entire life in a cage, or is used to being caged, I would advise against caging your new cat. It will only add additional stress to her.

For a cat that has never been caged before, it will freak her out if she is caged in her new place.

The most effective method is to place your new cat in a separate room with her food, water, litter box, scratch post and some toys as mentioned in my first post.

As for introducing your new cat to existing cats in the house, please remember that scents are more important to cats than appearances. Below is what I did for one week plus.

Always bear in mind that the first introduction is the most important. A bad start can result in your existing cats disliking your new cat.

1. On the first day, let them get used to each other's scents. Rub the new cat's cheeks with a washcloth, and put the washcloth under the food bowl of the existing cat. Do the same with the existing cat, and put the washcloth under the new cat's food bowl. Repeat for a few days until both cats do not react fearfully or aggressively towards the scent of the other.

2. Start mingling their scents by transferring their scents by rubbing the washcloth that has first been rubbed onto the new cat's cheeks onto the existing cat's cheeks and vice versa. You can also transfer and exchange their scents by stroking one cat and then the other. (This is provided that the new cat is free from any diseases.)

3. Observe how the cats interact when they sniffed each other through the gap beneath the door. They will let you know when they are ready to see each other when they appear curious and friendly. If your existing cat hisses at the door, it is not time yet to let them meet.

4. Give your existing cat his favourite treat whenever he is sniffing out the new cat at the other side of the door. This allows him to equate pleasure with the presence of the new cat. Praise him and pet him if he shows friendliness.

5. A few times a day (NOT on the first day), take the new cat out and introduce it to another room of the house, and place your existing cat into the room occupied by the new cat. This allows them to check out each other's scent more fully.

6. When the cats appear curious and interested to meet, open the door a small gap and let the cats see each other but not wide enough for them to touch each other. You can do this a few times a day.

7. Slowly, gradually, allow them to see more of each other by opening the door wider. Allow them to be in each other's presence only under close supervision until you are satisfied that they will not get into a fight.

Using this method, you should end up with a pair of cats that tolerate each other if not get on.

And if yours is a multiple cat household, introduce your alpha cat to the new cat first. When your alpha cat accepts the new cat, the other resident cats will follow.

Last edited by blackie007; 05-07-2010 at 04:17 PM.
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