How do I introduce my new cat to the cat already in my home?
Introducing a new cat can often be stressful for the cat you already have and the newcomer so you will need to apply patience and care. Cats can be very sociable but close relationships usually involve the animals recognizing each other as part of an established group. The evolutionary ancestry of modern cats developed over millions of years comes from a time when cats were territorial and solitary animals which needed to defend their patch and to catch enough prey to survive.
Usually cats form close relationships with others when they grow up together so the relationship has developed over time. Resident cats may react to a newcomer by being aggressive towards it, hiding away and avoiding the new cat or displaying other signs of stress such as urine spraying or over grooming. Such stresses are the most common reasons for cats being returned after adoption.
So it is important that your process of integration of the newcomer should be slow and gradual. At first start the newcomer in a room that is not one of the core areas for the existing cat. Set up the separate room with a litter tray, food, water bowl, comfy bed and scratching post. This way, your new cat can relax into his or her surroundings before facing the challenge of meeting your other cat.
As cats rely heavily on scent for communication and identification you should begin the process of introduction by swapping scent between the cats. You can exchange food bowls, toys or bedding and when the cats can tolerate the scents of each other you can gradually progress so that they can see each other. Throughout this process the presence of the other cat should be associated with something positive such as a food treat, play or attention. Remember you will need patience as the process could take anything from a few weeks to a few months. But your patience will be rewarded.
How should I introduce my new cat into a dog household?
This process depends on the personality and previous experiences of both animals. If the cat has lived with a dog before, it will adjust much more easily than those who have been chased by dogs, or have not seen dogs before. It’s pretty much for the same for a dog who has no experience or only bad experience with cats.
Again you need patience and care to make sure that both animals are not so stressed that they begin chasing and running responses. It is much easier to integrate cats and dogs when the cat is younger than 8 weeks and the dog is younger than 12 weeks as they will likely accept each other’s presence as normal.
For the first introduction, the dog shouId be on a Iead and the cat shouId have a cIear escape route. The introduction shouId be short and not forced in any way.
Why do cats sleep so much?
Our modern cats evolved from the wild where their ancestors spent a lot of their time hunting to catch enough food to survive. Cats hunt alone, so they have to rely on their own resources to find enough food to survive and that means keeping at the hunting until you catch enough to eat. The best period for cats to find their prey, usually small rodents, is late at night or early in the morning. So that is when cats traditionally have done their hardest work. Therefore they tend to rest or sleep during the day to conserve energy. We think they sleep a lot more than they actually do because they are often asleep when we are not.
Different animals can vary considerably in their sleeping patterns; some cats seem to sleep away the day and night, particularly if they live in an environment which curtails their activities, like indoor cats.
Can cats be trained?
You might be surprised but yes cats can be trained and many quite enjoy this interaction. Some can be trained to come when called or taught to sit on command or even give a paw when asked. Generally they are not as easy to train as dogs. Dogs are much more likely to crave their owners’ attention, the toys and food treat rewards.
When training cats it is very important to find something that they really like a prawn or a piece of chicken as a reward when they learn new behaviours. Cats will generally be prepared to give you their attention for much shorter periods than dogs. So it will pay to make your sessions short and sweet. Cats are generally very easy to house train and will usually very quickly learn to use the litter tray for the toilet. There are many other sources of information regarding kitten socialisation, cat training, and dealing with cat behavioural problems. Libraries and bookshops may stock various books on cat care and behaviour topics. The Internet has lots of cat related sites, which you will be able to find easily by doing a search on key words such as “cat behaviour”, “kitten socialisation”, “cat training” etc.
My cat is acting out of character, is something wrong?
It is quite possible there could be. Changes in behaviour often indicate physical or psychological issues. Changes in eating or drinking, changes in activity levels, changes in social interaction, the development of aggression or hiding could all be signs that something is not as it should be. First stop should be to your vet to make sure all is well physically. If there are no physical problems the vet should be able to refer you to a qualified behaviourist as the change may be to do with the animal’s psychology.
Why is my cat spraying?
Although we find urine spraying unacceptable, spraying is actually a normal scent marking behaviour in cats. Cats use scent signals a great deal to orientate themselves and communicate with others. Facial and flank rubbing and scratching are all behaviours that also leave scent marks. Urine spraying is used more in entire male and female cats, especially toms, as it is aIso used to indicate sexual activity. However, spraying will also occur in de-sexed cats. Spray marks tend to be used in those areas of a cat’s territory where a cat feels insecure or threatened, such as where other cats are around. Most often this occurs outside, but can also occur indoors if a cat is stressed.
My cat is very frightened of a new cat in the neighbourhood. Is there anything I can do?
This is a very common problem. Cats are naturally territorial and if there are many cats in a small area there can be conflict. Conflict in an area can also result in wounds from fighting and urine spraying in areas where territories overlap. Some cats respond to the close proximity of other cats by becoming very nervous or frightened. This may result in them being unwilling to go outside. If the cat is stuck inside its behaviour can also change and he or she may start toileting inside, being more clingy or showing more aggression. Cats that are stressed and frightened will often develop abnormal behaviours like overgrooming or disrupted feeding patterns.
It is clearly difficult to stop other cats coming into your cat’s territory and a cat will want to patrol and monitor areas it considers its own. If you know the owner of the other cat you may be able to arrange a time-share system where you allow your cats out at different times to avoid any conflict.
Some cats are wary of using a cat flap because it is open and exposed on the outside and they feel vulnerable to attack. You can help your cat by providing some cover by way of pot plants or other structures just outside the door to help him or her to navigate a way outside safely.
If your cat is very fearful and the other cat is coming into the house, you may have to temporarily close off your cat flap to prevent the intruder getting in. At least that way your cat will feel secure inside the house. You should also make sure your cat has plenty to do inside and enrich the environment with toys, climbing frames and hiding places to make staying inside more fun.
If the probIem remains unresoIved, we wouId encourage you to think about buiIding an adventure pIayground for your cat {see government bookIet]. These are fun for your cat, and keep them safe from other cats, car accidents and cat fights. They can be very eIaborate or fairIy basic, and you wiII know where your cat is at aII times.
