| So the big moment is finally here! You've just | | | | Reassuring Jealous Cats: Cats are like children in |
| adopted a new cat or kitten from your local | | | | many ways, so its not surprising that your older |
| shelter or rescue, rampaged through the pet | | | | pet may be jealous of a new arrival. He may be |
| store to stock up on supplies, toys and goodies, | | | | fearful of losing territory or worried that he is |
| and visited the vet for a health-check, shots, and | | | | about to be replaced. Extra love, attention and |
| neutering. Now its time to introduce kitty to her | | | | patience during this transition will help to reassure |
| new home and the rest of the family. With just a | | | | your pet that it is still the center of your universe! |
| little planning and patience, you can ensure that | | | | Be prepared for it to take from a week to a |
| your cats adjustment period will be as rapid and | | | | month before the new cat is accepted by the |
| stress-free as possible. | | | | resident cat. Before bringing home your new cat, |
| Home Is Where the Catnip Is: Cats are, by | | | | make sure that both old and new cats are |
| nature, highly territorial, which means that having a | | | | healthy and current on their vaccinations, including |
| place to call their own is extremely important to | | | | Feline Leukemia. Let your cat continue to have |
| their emotional well-being. Your new cat is already | | | | run of the house while the new cat is confined, so |
| in a state of stress from having been in a shelter | | | | that he understands he is not being pushed out of |
| or being given up for adoption, and being brought | | | | his territory. Allow him to sniff or paw under the |
| to a strange new home only increases that | | | | door with your new cat, and exchange items to |
| stress. Your goal is to help make your new cat | | | | familiarize each animal with the others smell. |
| feel comfortable as quickly as possible. When you | | | | When the time comes for the two cats to meet |
| bring your new cat home, confine it to a single | | | | face to face, try to give them short periods of |
| room for at least the first few days (with food | | | | contact, slowly increasing the time as they adapt |
| and litter, of course!). Although this may seem | | | | to one another. Be sure to supervise their visits |
| cruel by human standards, it is actually a great | | | | until you're sure they are okay alone, and be |
| kindness to allow your cat to claim ownership of a | | | | prepared for some hissing and growling, which is |
| small new territory at its own pace and without | | | | quite normal for cats that are getting to know |
| competition. | | | | one another. Do not yell at or discipline either cat |
| Some shy cats may hide under the bed for as | | | | for hissing or growling, and in the unlikely event of |
| long as a week; others will be ready to come out | | | | a fight breaking out, break it up with a spray |
| into the house and go exploring after just a day. | | | | from a water bottle or a thrown towel, not your |
| The important thing is to let the cat emerge | | | | hands. Prevent the new cat from sleeping in any |
| whenever it feels ready. You should spend as | | | | of your old cats favorite places (for example |
| much time as possible in the room with the cat, | | | | your bed) and provide each with separate food |
| but you should never try to force it out of hiding. | | | | and water bowls and litter pans. They'll probably |
| The cat will let you know when its ready to begin | | | | use each others, but will appreciate having their |
| exploring more of the house. Be sure to leave | | | | own. Try to keep your older cats routine intact, |
| fresh food and water out at all times, and check | | | | and take every opportunity you can to pet and |
| that it is being consumed. Even stressed cats like | | | | praise your older cat. Above all, be patient, and |
| to eat, so no food for 24 hours or more is | | | | one day you will find your new cats grooming |
| possibly a sign of illness and warrants a trip to the | | | | each other when they think you're not looking! |
| vet. | | | | Friendly Like Cats and Dogs: Most of the same |
| Meeting the Family: Naturally, everyone in the | | | | advice applies to introducing cats and dogs. Again, |
| family, especially the kids, will be excited about | | | | let the dog have run of the house, and sniff at |
| the new arrival. Children should be invited to visit | | | | the cat under the door and exchange scented |
| the new kitty in her room, one at a time. Try to | | | | items during the first few days. You may wish to |
| keep your children quiet and seated on these | | | | put up a baby gate in the doorway of the cats |
| visits, so they do not frighten the cat if he's not | | | | room or bring the cat into the house in a carrier |
| used to kids. If the cat is friendly and approaches, | | | | so the animals can see each other before they |
| have them offer an outstretched hand to sniff. | | | | actually meet. |
| If the cat accepts this, they can gently pet the | | | | Make sure the first visits in the house are |
| cat. As the cat becomes familiar with the child, | | | | supervised, with the dog on a leash if you are |
| they may play with a cat toy on a string or stick. | | | | unsure about how friendly he will be. Encourage |
| NEVER let your children encourage a kitten to | | | | you dog with gentle praise if he is friendly. If the |
| pounce on their fingers (or yours, for that | | | | cat runs from your dog, do not allow the dog to |
| matter). It may seem cute at first, but a full | | | | chase it, and don't force a cat that seems |
| grown cat jumping on and biting a hand in play | | | | uncomfortable to be in the same room with the |
| can be very painful or cause bleeding. Teach your | | | | dog. Keep the first visits brief, then extend them |
| children how to properly hold a cat: with one hand | | | | as the animals become familiar with each other. |
| under the rump and one hand on the back, held | | | | Be patient, give them time, and they'll soon learn |
| up against their bodies. And don't leave small | | | | to get along. |
| children unsupervised with your cat. | | | | |