How To Introduce A New Cat Into Your Space

July 25, 2022by HOMEMAKERS Editor0 comments

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I recently decided to open my heart and my home to a new cat. Working from home has untold benefits. But what it really comes down to is being rather isolated rather often.

So, enter the little ball of fluff. She’s a four-month-old, long-haired kitty the colour of storm clouds. Me, never having owned my own cat, needed to do some research. Even cat novices like myself know that you don’t just dump a cat into your living room and hope for the best.

Prepare your pets

If you already have pets, whether they are dogs, cats or birds, you will have to consider how the new addition will vibe with them.

Not all pet parents believe in mealtimes. Some prefer having food on hand for their pets at any point during the day. This feeding schedule is fine. But when introducing a new addition, it is better to have your existing pets on a mealtime schedule.

Therefore, while the new cat is integrating, they will feel the safety and security of a schedule. This schedule is, of course, not only applicable to them but to all the other pets.

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Prepare a space

Dogs are often easier to introduce to your space and family members because they seek pack behaviour. Cats are naturally solitary creatures, which means that they need a bit more effort to make them feel part of the family.

Cordon off a space, usually a small bathroom or bedroom that will not inconvenience the humans too much when its access is limited, which will house your new cat for at least two weeks.

Ensure that no other pets can get in, and that the new addition cannot get out of this space.

Not only will the separation cause your new cat to feel more protected, but it will also ensure that existing pets become used to the new cat’s scent before being allowed to interact with them.

Make sure that the new cat’s space has many items that they can claim as their own. These include blankets, beds, scratching posts and toys. The new cat will be able to spread their scent on these items and will feel more comfortable being surrounded by what they deem to be their space.

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Location

Co Play With The Humans

Get each member of the household to spend a few hours in the new cat’s space per day. If your new cat is skittish, just being in the same space without trying to force interaction will allow them to become more comfortable. Watch a movie, work on your laptop or read in the space and don’t feel too concerned that kitty is hiding while you’re in there. Cats tend to take much longer to trust new people.

Pet Introduction Phase 1

Before allowing your existing pets to interact with your new cat, start by doing a space swop. Jackson Galaxy, a well-known cat specialist, recommends the following:

“Each cat gets to explore the other’s territory without ever laying eyes on each other. This is also an opportunity for key signposts—like cat trees, litter boxes, etc.—to take on a shared scent. This is crucial to the “getting to know you” process with cats, since so much of their communication is based on scent.”

Follow this simple process for harmonious site swapping:

Carry the newcomer out of his base camp, put him in the bathroom, and shut the door.
Allow the resident cat to walk into the newcomer’s base camp, then shut that door.
Allow the newcomer to explore the rest of the home.
Rinse and repeat.

Though Jackson recommends this process between cats, it is also a good idea to apply it to all other pets.

Pet Introduction Phase 2

After allowing all the pets to be aware of each other’s scents for a few days, allow them to see each other without interacting.

This suggests putting up a pet gate or screen and placing their food bowls close to the screen so that mealtimes can take place in view of each other.

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Pet Introduction Phase 3

This phase allows the pets to interact through the pet screen or gate, but with all necessary caution from your side. It is inevitable that there will be a bit of growling or hissing in the beginning, but your pets will soon allow their curiosity to overrule their caution.

Final Steps

When you finally remove all barriers, your cat will choose when they feel safe enough to start exploring the rest of your home.

Make sure to reward their exploration with treats and toys to motivate them to keep going.

Now all that’s left to do is to enjoy the warm little purr machine that will love you until their time on earth is up.