Taking home another cat? Prepare, be patient.

Article obtained from Jacques Von Lumen, Pet Talk, and the Oregonian, March 24, 2009

People and kittens are on the move right now. Spring is when a lot of kittens are born -- and brought into new homes shortly thereafter – and a recession such as the one we’re in can force pet owners to move in with relatives or friends to reduce expenses.

Whatever the reason, if pets need to get along with new companions, pet owners can make that process a lot easier for everyone involved. If both pets involved are Canis lupus familaris, aka pooches, things work out easily enough, in general. Dogs have learned to get along with other dogs since they roamed the steppes together in search of food.

Cats? That’s a different story. If you own a cat and plan to add another cat, a dog or a baby to the mix, it’s best to prepare thoroughly.

If you’re adding another cat voluntarily, choosing the right cat is the first step toward avoiding conflict, said Jacqui Neilson, a Portland veterinarian who teaches veterinary behavior at Oregon State University and helps dogs and cats at her Animal Behavior Clinic in Southeast Portland.

Contrary to common belief, studies have shown that neither gender nor size matters when picking a second cat, Neilson said. The best way to have two cats get along? Take in littermates. If that’s not an option, at least pay attention to warnings such as “Doesn’t get along with other cats.” In any case, get ready before the other kitty gets there.

Set up a room to house the new cat separately from the one that rules the house. Furnish that room with litter box, scratching post, food station – the works. And keep, the door closed for a good while. “We all want things quickly,” Neilson said. “But patience is definitely a virtue in this case.”

After some time, start feeding the two cats on opposite sides of the closed door so they can sense each other’s presence while having a pleasant experience. If that goes well, tie two cat toys to the same string and thread it underneath the door – still closed – so they can play together, yet apart.

During this time, do what Marilyn Krieger, a nationally syndicated columnist, calls a “pheromone exchange.” Rub small towels or socks over the cats’ faces. Then put each cat’s towel into the other’s room.

If everything goes well, after a week or so, let them see each other. You could stack baby gates open the door just a crack, Neilson said. Again, take your time with this step.

After a few more days, let them into a room together but be prepared to separate them – you might keep a squirt bottle on hand – if things don’t work out.

It’s important to have something positive happening when the two first come face to face, Neilson said. Provide toys, treats, food, and play. Keep the time limited at first. Each day, increase the time the two spend together and reduce supervision. If problems arise, separate them again and start the process over.

Did we mention this could take a long time?

In severe cases when one cat is living “in constant terror,” is not eating, hides or gets injured, owners may have to consider drug therapy, Neilson said. Also, she said some cats will just never get along and may be a lot happier staying segregated.

Many cats will get along with a dog, no problem. But the dog may not feel the same way. “If I’m introducing a new dog, I’m taking plenty of precautions to make sure the dog can’t get aggressive toward the cat,” Neilson said.

In this scenario, there’s no need for separate rooms, just a lot of safety measures. Keep the dog on a leash initially. Give the cat plenty of get-away options, such as perches. Watch for food aggression in the dog. If you know the dog – or even better, the owner – consider its history. If the history spells problems with cats, be forewarned. “Do not think you can make a difference if the history says otherwise,” Neilson said.

If the newcomer is a newborn human, preparation is key, cat behavior writer Krieger said. She recommends getting the cat used to baby sounds long before the real thing arrives. Owners should find an audio recording of a baby and play it, at soft levels, at regular intervals. “Baby sounds can really startle a cat,” she said. “It sounds like a distressed animal.”

It also helps to get things that smell like a newborn baby and expose the cat to the new smell. Blankets from the hospital or another baby’s clothes can help. When the baby arrives in the home, sit down with the baby and cat and watch the cat’s body language. Make sure the baby can’t reach for the cat.

Providing a tall cat tree for sanctuary from the noise and commotion a baby creates can help keep a cat calm, Krieger said. When babies get older, it’s important to teach them not to chase the cat, not to climb cat trees and how to pet the cat. A parent should always be present. The most important rule kids can learn regarding cats is to not use their hands to play with them. “Hands are for loving, toys are for playing,” Krieger said.

In cases not dictated by economic necessity, it’s also important to ask yourself why you’re adding another pet, said Tanya Roberts, who manages the behavior-training department at the Oregon Humane Society. A lot of times people are getting another pet for the wrong reason, she said. If your cat is acting happy, if it’s greeting you and eating, and grooming, why are you getting another pet?” she said, “Don’t assume it’s lonely just because you would be.”
Jacques Von Lunen also blogs about pets at orgeonlive.com/pets.

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