Welcome to
Anchorage, Alaska's
The Kitty Kache
Cat - ONLY - Boarding
Relaxed, Quiet Environment
Daily Playtime
Daily Lovies!!
Professional Care
Introducing Your Cat to New Friends:
Tips for Total Success!
"Forget it!! My cats will never, ever, accept another cat!" If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that! "We brought a cat home once and you should've seen him!!!" But that's because people aren't aware of cat culture & the "colony scent" necessary for acceptance, or how to achieve it--safely & peacefully.
Cat's socialize very differently from dogs (which takes about 2 minutes in neutral territory.) Dogs have packs & hierarchies, but cats have "colonies." Each colony has a unique colony scent. With cats, once a colony scent is blended, the cats with the colony scent are recognized friends & are accepted into the territory. Kitties "nose-kiss" to check the membership in the colony. Cats have a hard time telling the difference between one black cat & another, but the colony scent tells them they are friend & the individual scent tells them which friend.
Socializing a new cat into a home is just a matter of a few steps to achieve recognition, a shared colony scent, and acceptance of shared territory. Each step is complete when both cats become bored with the current step. It's important to let the cats set the pace at how quickly or slowly the integration of the new member will take. Step 1 of the process is keep the original & new cat totally separated by a closed door until they're bored. You'll know it's time when the door-obsessing or hissing at the door or staring at the door ends just because they know there's a kitty on the other side. When they don't care that a cat is behind the closed door, it's time to open the door, just an inch!Step 2 is to block the door slightly open, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches, but block it or lock it securely in place to insure it will not open any wider. A slider lock with a short chain is one way of securing the width of the opening. This step allows just enough space for the cats to have safe interactions of being able to see & smell and maybe put a paw through to try to touch the other kitty. When they become bored with this, it's time for the next new adventure.
Step 3 is about swapping territories. Put the original cat in the new kitties room alone & close the door. For the new kitty, the first time or two, just carry him/her around the house (so he/she won't run & hide!) to see what it looks like while safely in your arms. After a day or so, gradually allow him/her to explore the whole house in safety, on foot.
While the original kitty gets to check out what's been going on in the territory of the new cat, take time to let the new cat get comfortable with the whole house by themself. Continue swapping territories until the new cat feels relaxes & "bored" enough to lay out on the couch with you (not hiding, not dashing from under this to under that), but relaxed & comfortable enough to stretch out on a window shelf & sun him/herself in safety.
Start with brief periods, (10 - 20 minutes or so) and gradually extending into hours the amount of time they spend in each others space. Repeat as often as you want in a day, but for as many days as necessary until BOTH kitties seem bored and no longer care which territory they're in. Be sure, however, to give the new cat plenty of time to learn the "lay of the land" & is familiar with the entire house.
Step 4 is to open the door & share territory! Most important, it's all about building a safe, peaceful relationship without drama or trama. Starting with short periods of a few minutes and gradually extending into longer & longer periods. If boredom has been successfully achieved in each of the the prior steps, this step is likely to be a non-event because (1) the colony scent has developed, (2) the cats are familiar with each other by sight, smell & safe interaction through the small door opening, and (3) they are both familiar with the territory they are now about to share. Now they just need to get to know each other a little better.
Step 4 is the most critical, however. In this step, the cats begin learning the many complex behaviors of each other in a variety of situations & circumstances as well as those sudden frights (loud noises, strangers, etc).
Supervision is essential in case there is a disagreement. If a fuss develops, they need to be separated back to private quarters immediately. Relaxed interaction or indifference is what is needed during initial shared territory times. Whenever either cat starts getting nervous, stressed or afraid of the other cat, they need to be separated with a door closed between them so the other cat is no longer of any concern to them. Let them return to their natual relaxed mood. Let them forget there was an issue. Never let them "work it out!" No fussing allowed - at all.
It may take as much as a month or two. Sometimes more, to firmly establish their confidence in the other's "goodwill." But, it can also take as little as a few weeks. Cats are far more complex than they get credit for. They are each unique.
Putting an immediate stop any significant disagreements by separating them into rooms with a closed door between them is a simple life long policy to help maintiain their good relations with each other. As long as issues don't become too dramatic or traumatic, they rather quickly forget and resume peaceful interactions afterwards. Never discipline either of them for the fuss. That only adds to the drama & trauma.
Note: During the first several months, even among easy-going cats, it's important NOT let them share territory in your absence (or while sleeping), this is preventing opportunities of a serious fuss that could build into a feud with retaliation & escalation that can destroy good relationships before they get well established.
If this sounds complicated, it's not. A slow introduction, a peaceful getting to know you period, and that's it. Some mellow kitties cover the entire process in a couple weeks. Others progress more slowly. Let them set the pace. Don't rush it along.
The easiest & quickest way to have happy cats getting to know each other is to have the Comfort Zone pheromones working in your favor. The stress & anxiety this product reduces makes the whole introduction and getting-to-know-you time significantly simpler, easier & shorter!! The Comfort Zone pheromones were specifically designed to reduce territory and "stranger stress." I can't recommend it enough, especially for this type situation.
If in the future, the relationship deteriorates for some unknown reason, refill the Comfort Zone plugins! If that's not enough, return them to separate territories for a while. Let them sleep it off, for a day or two, if necessary.
For really serious disputes, re-do step 4. Separate them for even longer periods, and always keep them separated when you leave or sleep, until they largely forget they were fussing. Just like people, cats prefer to be happy and focus on the sunshine and lap time and the sound of the can opener for dinner! Keep the drama & trauma low levels, never discipline (offer alternative activities/locations), and give them both lot's of love.
If all that fails, call me. I'm happy to help.
Boots & Fiji
Scuttles -Sugar Sweet!
Walter ! Beautiful Boy
Mojo & Spook
From Kenai!
Kitty Kache Guests!
A picture is worth a thousand words !
The Secret to Happy Cats!
What are pheromones ?
When you see your cat rubbing the side of his face on a corner, they are leaving pheromone traces that tell them this is their territory and they are safe! Originally developed to stop competitive spraying between male cats, results show it reduces stress & anxiety in all cats!! Ask your vet. Feliway bottled it in a spray & a plugin and sold under the name "The Comfort Zone," At the Kitty Kache I keep at least one plugin, if not two, in the kennel room and also spray the kennel prior to the arrival of your kitty to enhance the 24-hour calming effects. I highly recommend it to clients for (1) home use to calm high tension or shy cats, (2) any travel, long or short trips, (3) reducing or stopping competitive spraying between male or female cats and (4) improving relationships between grumpy or bullying cats, and (5) especially helpful during any introductory period of a new cat to the family. (Be sure to see our "Introducing Your Cat to New Friends Tips for Success."
Website is Under Construction
But here's a little info until then!
Serving Cat Lovers for over 10 years.
(907) 344-CATS
(907) 344-(2287)
Many Thanks for your patience!
