At a good friend’s house, you watch as her two younger cats play like fiends, chasing one another, batting ping-pong balls, and having a grand time of it. Then, drained, they calm down collectively in a heap and fall asleep. In your manner house, you may’t assist however suppose: is my solo cat lacking out?
The brief reply is: it is determined by the cat. Some will take to a brand new feline companion pretty shortly and benefit from the camaraderie, whereas others will hate the intrusion and wage bloody warfare on the interloper. That’s the character of cats, a species that leans towards the stoic, the impartial, the self-sufficient. Cats are supremely territorial and infrequently detest to share house with different pets. And so they abhor change, which is what a brand new cat undoubtedly quantities to.
That mentioned, some cats are extra socially inclined than others. Shelter cats who’ve spent numerous time with others earlier than being adopted will usually settle for a brand new feline into the house, as will naturally pleasant cats who don’t appear to thoughts who comes and goes. And kittens often have little drawback socializing with others, significantly different kittens (extra on that later).
The important thing query to ask earlier than continuing is: why are you contemplating a second cat? If it’s since you suppose your cat could be happier with the corporate, perceive that you’re making use of a human perspective to the state of affairs. Although we would hate being alone ten hours every day, most cats do fairly effectively with it, and even choose it that manner. However, if it’s merely since you need the additional firm or wish to rescue a cat from the multitude dealing with euthanasia in an overcrowded shelter, that’s not less than a good and/or noble reply. And, in lots of instances, it’s one thing you can also make work.
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Plan Correctly
So, then, you need a second cat, for you. Okay. Now the problem turns into: can or not it’s accomplished? The reply might be, although it is going to rely very a lot in your resident cat, on the brand new cat, on the out there house, and on how effectively you set your own home up beforehand. First, take inventory of your cat. Is she pleasant towards company? Has she interacted with different pets in a civil method? In that case, the chances are good {that a} new cat will finally be accepted by her. However, if she was as soon as a stray or a feral cat, has a historical past of combating, or has lived for a very long time on her personal, then your job turns into more durable.
Does she disguise when company come, solely to resurface an hour after the final particular person has gone? In that case, the thought of getting a second cat turns into a riskier one. Now, look to your own home. Is it a one-room residence or a spacious home? Small areas make socializing two cats more durable, as a result of they covet territory and gained’t stand for fixed invasions into their house. In a big house, even two cats hostile to one another can discover house to dwell and to keep away from one another if want be. However in a small house, two offended cats are prone to brawl.
Kitten Energy
Cat lovers who need two cats do greatest by getting two kittens, proper originally. Kittens who develop up aspect by aspect virtually at all times get alongside effectively and can amuse and train one another all through the day. Two littermates from a shelter are the best selection right here.
If in case you have a younger cat at house and need a second, think about adopting one kitten of the other intercourse, as same-sex cats are way more liable to battle one another for dominance. Your resident cat will nonetheless be younger sufficient to recall having enjoyable along with her littermates, and the brand new kitten will likely be more than pleased to oblige. Even when your resident cat is an grownup, choosing a kitten of the other gender for the brand new pet is very advisable, as her youth and low stature will assure that few territorial disputes will happen. The older cat will learn her the riot act shortly, and set the tone for future relations.
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Adopting an Grownup Cat
Grownup cats have well-established personalities and gained’t change in a single day simply to accommodate a brand new competitor. In case your resident cat has a shy streak, you may exacerbate the problem by bringing in quantity two. If the house cat is a considerably pushy, territorial character, the second cat may find yourself strolling right into a buzz noticed of resistance. On this state of affairs, it may actually take a 12 months earlier than peace reigns once more.
If, nonetheless, your resident grownup cat has a historical past of social concord with different cats (or perhaps a canine), bringing in one other sociable grownup may work, supplied you alternate gender (identical intercourse pets battle extra), have a big sufficient house, and introduce them in the correct trend. If you happen to do add an grownup cat of the identical gender, anticipate some preliminary fireworks, after which a considerably longer time period for the 2 to combine.
Territory
Cats revere territory. They patrol it, mark it, defend it, lord over it. On this, your home cat will not be a lot totally different than a lion. Deliver a brand new pet or particular person in, and even change the format of your own home, and your cat may act out in some ways, together with hiding, aggression, marking, destruction, or incessant vocalization. That’s why it’s essential to have sufficient house out there for those who’re going to usher in a brand new cat. For 2 cats, attempt to have a minimal of a 1000 sq. ft of house in your house, and extra if doable. A number of flooring and diverse open rooms will assist the cats set up their very own “sub-territories” inside the house, so open issues up as a lot as doable.
Breed
Sure cat breeds are typically extra sociable than others. These embrace the: Tonkinese, Sphynx, Burmese, Cornish & Devon Rex, Balinese, Siamese, and Havana Brown. These lively, playful cats will stand a greater probability of getting alongside than will extra shy cats, such because the Persian, American Wirehair, Scottish Fold, or Angora. And, although exceptions abound, short-haired pure bred or combined breed cats typically are typically friendlier than long-haired cats. Although the sociability issue of combined breed cats is more durable to foretell, merely watching to see if she interacts properly with different cats on the shelter will often be an excellent indicator.
Illustration by Kim Smith
What’s Wanted?
Earlier than you go to your native shelter for that new cat, you’ll must take some precautions first, and likewise acquire a number of new objects. First, you should definitely arrange a “new cat” room forward of time. Whether or not you select a kitten or an older cat, the beginner will at first must be sequestered in a room of its personal, quickly separated from the resident cat. This “quarantine” will enable the cats to listen to and scent one another, however not truly greet in particular person. This era ought to final not less than a number of days.
Subsequent, buy some kind of screening or a number of child gates, which will likely be positioned within the doorway between the brand new cat room and the remainder of the home. As soon as the preliminary quarantine is over, you’ll open the door and change it with the see-through barrier, permitting every part however precise contact.
You will want to buy a second litter field and scratching publish and separate meals and water dishes for the beginner. When you’re at it, purchase a number of new cat toys. And for those who can afford it, get a carpeted, multi-tiered “kitty rental” to broaden their territory and provides them locations to flee from the opposite if want be. Lastly, get a plant sprayer bottle to interrupt up the occasional battle.
Gradual Going!
As soon as you discover that good new cat, you’ll be tempted to hurry issues, however it’s key you progressively introduce her into your resident cat’s world. Take your time. Deliver the brand new cat into the house in a field (often supplied by the shelter), and launch her into the “quarantine” room, which must be arrange properly with the litter field, dishes, toys, a mattress, and a scratching publish as this will likely be her house for not less than a number of days. The door at this level must be closed. Each cats will hear and scent one another with out having the ability to come head to head but.
After a number of days, change the cats for a number of hours every day, giving the brand new cat an opportunity to discover and the resident cat the chance to research the “invader’s” scent. Have a good friend allow you to with this fast change. Look ahead to marking at the moment, even with a feminine. Do that switching for 2 or three days.
Seeing is Believing
Now, with the brand new cat again into the quarantine room, change the door with the see-through barrier. Odds are each cats will instantly go to the barrier and test one another out. If the brand new cat is a kitten, she’ll more than likely be very curious and open to greeting, whereas the resident grownup cat will stay guarded or even perhaps hissy. That’s okay; simply be affected person. Go away this association in place for a number of days and see what occurs.
Let the Video games Start
Now it’s time to allow them to work together in the primary space. They could sniff one another, run away, battle, and even get alongside—it’s exhausting to inform. If the brand new pet is a kitten, anticipate her to be open to interplay, along with your resident cat appearing standoffish however not altogether aggressive. That is because of the kitten’s age; she simply isn’t that massive of a risk. But when the brand new child is an grownup, be prepared with the sprayer bottle to interrupt up a battle. You’ll be able to even toss a cat toy at them to interrupt up the strain
If it appears to be working, allow them to determine it out. But when it’s too violent, revert again to conserving them in separate rooms for a number of days with the barrier in place. It may take weeks earlier than they settle for one another, so be affected person!
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Détente
Finally, a state of resignation ought to take maintain in your resident cat’s thoughts. She’ll not be glad to share her territory however, so long as there’s ample house and locations for the cats to retreat to, issues ought to finally work out.
At this stage, you should definitely feed them individually to keep away from meals aggression. Progressively transfer their dishes nearer over time, till they will eat in the identical room. Monitor feeding time and look ahead to one cat stealing meals from the opposite. Omit toys and maybe even two cardboard containers full of newspaper and some treats to encourage exploration and to supply the cats with an alternative choice to direct battle. Like youngsters taught to get alongside by means of sports activities, distractions can assist your cats discover frequent floor.
Not like canine, who make associates pretty shortly, cats take some time to simply accept new pets or individuals into their sanctum. However for those who select the correct new cat, keep affected person, and ease them into the brand new state of affairs, likelihood is they’ll finally settle for one another, and in the end be sleeping collectively in a furry little tangle.