Introducing a new cat to your current pet A SECOND CAT CAN BE TWICE AS NICE Many people who work all day, leaving their pet home alone, feel good about adopting a second pet for the family. If you can afford the added expenses of another pet, it can add twice the love and fun to the home. A second pet can be especially beneficial for your current pet, according to many pet adopters and area veterinarians alike. Dr. Kathleen Ivie of Ailurophile Cat Clinic says that except in rare cases, a second cat is good for the resident cat in providing valuable companionship. Before bringing the new pet home, it is important to have the resident pet up-to-date on immunizations, and the new pet checked for parasites, inside and outside the body. INTRODUCING CATS TO CATS According to Dr. Ivie, it is easier to introduce a kitten than an adult cat to the resident cat because the resident cat will be less intimidated and fearful of a kitten. Dr. Ivie suggests following these steps when introducing a kitten: Supervise the first meeting of the cat and kitten. Take the resident cat to a private place and give him intense, one-on-one attention (holding, playing, treats, etc.). When they are together, give more attention to the resident cat than the new kitten. It is important to devote patience and support for the resident cat in his adjustment period. If two adult cats are desired, Dr. Ivie recommends two neutered males or one spayed female with one neutered male. Two females are discouraged because of their strong territorial instincts. INTRODUCING A CAT TO A RESIDENT DOG Dr. Ivie suggests following these steps for introducing a new adult cat: Place the cat in a separate room with his food and litter box for the first twenty-four hours. This allows the animals to communicate without actual contact. If there is no aggression between the animals (hissing is to be expected), allow the animals to have face-to-face contact. This should only be done with supervision and the dog should be on a leash. This allows the cat to explore the house and scope out his escape routes without the dog overwhelming him. On the following day, the dog can be taken off the leash provided there was no aggression on the previous day. Be sure to praise the dog for ignoring the cat and try to distract the dog with a toy or attention. Make sure to keep the animals separated for at least the first week when no one is at home. Be patient it can take 4-6 weeks for the animals not to show any signs of aggression. If you have further questions about introducing a second pet, call the Capital Area Humane Society at (517) 626-6060 PET CARE - What do you do when your pet is ill or injured - What to do if you lose your pet - Advantages of spaying or neutering - CAHS participating veterinarians - Lansing area dog obedience trainers CARE FOR DOGS - House training your dog - License information - Indoor paper training - Basic veterinary care your dog needs - Introducing a new dog to your current pet CARE FOR CATS - Basic veterinary care your cat needs - Introducing a new cat to your current pet - Cat scratch fever? Declawing isn't the only answer. - Keeping cats indoors: humane practice or prison sentence? - Allergic to your cat? You may not have to give him up! - Tips for solving your cat's little box blues
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