myKotty In the previous post (you can find it here) we told about the loss of our beloved Luis and the emptiness left, which was filled by a new cat. Today, Figo and Kitku Yoda are companions, but before this happened, we had to carry out a complicated, multi-stage operation of cat-daptation. This is never an easy process, but every fabCat can do it – after all, the name obliges! Relax, we won’t leave you alone with this. We have a knowledge pill for you, from which you will learn how to help your old and new kitty make great furriends with each other.
Socialization with isolation – why is this so important?
Someone smelled a rat here! Cats recognize each others by the smell. If the cat radar suddenly senses the smell of a new individual, stress will arise automatically because of the potential threat. Our beloved cats are territorial animals, and the loss of territory is naturally associated with hunger. And a hungry cat is an angry cat. You know!
Insecurity often lead to conflicts that can escalate. That is why it is important to give cats a chance to get to know each other without a direct confrontation.
How to correctly support your cats in the process of mutual cat-daptation
The duration of the cat-adaptation process is an individual matter. Some cats need just 2 weeks, while others even 2-3 months. It is important not to introduce cats by force.
Don’t cross the line, new comer!
At the beginning you should host a new household cat member in a separate room to which the cat resident will not have access. The new cat must be provided with a litter box, several toys and bowls with water and food. Do not forget about the hideouts – for this purpose the cardboard box will be perfect.
Your role at this stage should be limited to monitoring the cat’s behavior and petting if the new comer is interested in it. Never force it, fabCat!
Check my perfumes
When a new companion felt comfortable in his room, it’s worth starting scents exchange. You can do this by exchanging toys, blankets or scratchers from one cat to another. This stage should last several days and involve an increase in the frequency of scent exchange.
Let me show you your new home
When the cats become familiar with scents and stop reacting negatively to them, you can present the whole house to the new cat. However, you should isolate the resident at the time, e.g. in the bedroom or bathroom. If after a few minutes a new cat is not interested in exploration, it is worth repeating it in a few hours.
A good way is to lock the resident with us in the bedroom at night, of course with the litter box and food. Darkness favors the exploration of new places, which may encourage a new cat to explore the house. Let him play the role of CatWoman traversing Gotham at night!
Let me take a look at you
The first contact should take place in fully controlled conditions. It is a good idea to open the door in a way that the cats cannot squeeze. If after a few attempts there will be no aggression, we can permanently tilt the door, insert a transparent Plexiglas or a large mosquito net in a frame so that the cat can’t pass through.
The point is that the cats are able to see or smell each other and at the same time freely withdraw to their hideouts. If aggression occurs at this stage, you should close the door immediately and return to step two.
Let me introduce myself
If there are no aggression between the cats, it’s time for an open meeting. We suggest that the cat who is more withdrawn should be on its territory. So stronger one comes to the weaker one. It is good for the latter to sit somewhere high, so that he can watch the whole situation from a safe place.
The step can be repeated several times a day for several days to ensure that there is no conflict.
Let’s play!
Fun and snacks are ones of the best attractions for cats. It’s worth trying to rock the party, however following certain rules. Cats can stay in one room or see each other from two different, but we play with each other separately and in parallel. After playing, we give each cat a snack, regardless of its activity.
At this stage, cats should be able to move freely within the territory, but always under your supervision.
It’s time for an exam!
Before leaving for work for the first time and leaving the cats alone for the whole day, it is worth doing a short 10-20 minute test. Give cats access to the whole house and go shopping or a short walk.
When you come back, check if none of the cats are scared or nothing is thrown away. If everything seems to be okay, leave the cats for longer and longer, but check each time if there is no signs of a fight.
Together or not?
If the cats are still keeping each other at a distance, consider separating them at night when the cats are usually more active. This is the time when clashes can happen between them, so if you are unsure of their relationship, it is worth separate them for at least a few nights.
Congratulations fabCat! Now you know how to help your cats become comCATible. We followed those steps of isolation and socialization process in the case of Figo and Kitku Yoda, who coexist now with no stress and they even clean each other. It took us two and a half weeks to complete the process, but how it will be in your case depends only on the cats.
We keep our paws crossed for cat-daptation!
