INTRODUCING A NEW CAT There are many benefits in adopting a second cat to enrich the life of a single cat who is not too set in his or her ways to accept a newcomer. Two cats living together, as I emphasize in my book Cat Body, Cat Mind, are generally healthier and happier than cats who live with no contact ever with their own species.
M.B. from Port St. Lucie, FL sent me the following useful steps to follow when introducing a new cat which she learned from a friend who helps others with cat problems and has obviously learned from experience how to facilitate the socialization of cats with cats.
1.For several days, keep the cats in separate rooms. Provide bedding for them both and periodically switch their beds. This will allow each cat to get familiar with the other’s scent and realize there is another cat in the house.
2.During their separation, you should spend time “mixing their ears” as follows: Pet the first in-residence cat, (A) paying special attention to her ears and face, then go into the other room and pet the new cat,(B) also paying attention to the face and ears. Without washing her hands, go back to cat A for more of the same. You should do this as often as you can. The extra attention will be reassuring, and this also will help familiarize the cats with each other’s scent. Kitty treats should also be involved.
3.For the introduction, you will need a small spray bottle (new or thoroughly washed). A single, quick spray at a misbehaving cat should distract it. However, do not chase a cat while continuing to spray it with water; it will only make the cat fearful and possibly mean. One spray should be sufficient.
4.After a few days, allow the two cats to have open access to each other. Be prepared with treats, the spray bottle and a towel to throw over a cat if it misbehaves. If the cats exhibit aggression, separate them and repeat the ear mixing/bedding switching/treat giving for a few more days.
5.When they are introduced again, put each cat in a carrier first. Let them see each other and become familiar before allowing cat A out of his/her carrier. Then she will get to know the new cat, who should be fine with his new friend by then. If no negative behavior is observed, allow the new cat out of his carrier and immediately provide their favorite food or treats, in separate bowls placed a few feet apart.
I would add that of course you should have a veterinarian thoroughly check any new cat for infectious and contagious diseases, and to treat the cat for internal and external parasites as needed. If there are any doubts about the cat’s health, it should be quarantined for seven to 10 days before bringing it into the home. A blood test for feline infectious diseases would also be advisable, especially for feline immunodeficiency disease and feline leukemia virus.. In well-run animal shelters, all of these steps are usually covered, including spay/neuter, so you can take the cat of your choice from the shelter directly home to begin the introduction process with your resident cat(s).
Many cat owners find that using the commercially available feline pheromone Feliway, broadcasting it where the cats are with a plug-in room diffuser, can help them calm down and may facilitate the socialization process.
I find that grooming and massaging each cat in turn, while one is watching the other being handled, and encouraging them to play together using a toy lure on the end of a string tied to a short cane —a cat play-wand—can work wonders, along with large boxes or a wide tube made from old carpet for them to play hide-and seek games.Providing a sturdy scratch-post and a climbing cat-gymn or condo ideally located by a look-out window are environmental enrichments which will facilitate their social interactions.
There should be no problems with the cats sharing the same litter box provided that it is cleaned out at least twice daily.
MEDICATIONS: A LAST RESORT Bullying and fighting in cats who live together, along with anxiety-related house-soiling and excessive grooming, are now being ameliorated with drugs such as Gabapentin, Prozac ( fluoxetine) and Clomicalm ( clomipramine). A transdermal cream is rubbed into the inside of the ear of both animals. But this type of therapy should only be used in conjunction with environmental enrichment and behavior modification, or if such measures alone fail, and after a few weeks the medication can generally be discontinued.