Cats are territorial animals, & they can be very sensitive to changes in their environment & the presence of other cats.
Introducing cats to each other is a delicate, step by step process that cannot be rushed. First impressions are very important to cats, and if that isn't done right, it can set them up for failure.
Let us look at 6 reasons why cat introductions may fail.
1. Rushed Introductions
Cats need time to adjust to new scents, any changes & the presence of another cat. Often, cat owners already have a pre-conceived timeline in mind (e.g. 2-3 weeks) to which they think is sufficient for the cats to be introduced, based on what they are told or what they read online. As such, they rush through the process, without paying much attention to what the cat(s) is actually feeling or trying to tell them.
However, every cat is different, and if the introduction is rushed, it can lead to stress, fear & aggression. Step-by-step, gradual introductions allow the cats to get used to each other's scents before direct contact, are generally more successful.
2. NO Introductions or Separation
Some owners are unaware that cats need to be introduced gradually in small stages to other animals, with the Newbie being kept separate when he first arrives. In fact, there should be no visual contact at all!
They may be inexperienced with cats, or were given inappropriate advice by friends or family. As such, they treat the cats as per one would when introducing dogs - hey, let's put them together to become friends!
Unless they are very young, naive kittens, this is NOT a good idea & you'd be lucky if it doesn't result in a conflict or fight.
3. Territorial Issues:
Cats are territorial animals, and introducing a new cat into an established cat's territory can lead to conflict. It's essential to provide each cat with their own space & resources initially. The golden rule of the litterbox is 1:2 (i.e. 1 cat has 2 litterboxes, because many cats prefer to pee & poo in separate boxes). By not allowing each cat enough resources, i.e. ample space, scratch posts, cat condos, litterboxes, beds, bowls, etc, the cats feel the need to fight for their territory & rights to claim items as their own, which results in them being in conflict, or stalking / bullying behavior.
4. Medical Issues
If one or more cats have underlying health issues, they may be more irritable or aggressive due to being in pain & discomfort. It's crucial to rule out any medical problems before attempting introductions, or solving issues such as eliminating outside of the litterbox. A stressful environment, e.g. loud renovation or a dirty home, can also affect cats' behavior. Cats may be more likely to react negatively to a new cat in a stressful environment.
5. Lack of Escape Routes:
Cats need escape routes to feel safe. If a cat feels cornered or trapped, it may become defensive or aggressive to protect itself. Ensure that there are multiple escape routes & hiding spots for each cat. This means no covered litterboxes, avoiding placing litterboxes at corners or playing at corners where one cat may have the upper hand at intimidating the other.
6. Negative Associations:
If the cats have had negative experiences with each other in the past, they may remember these encounters & react negatively in future interactions, which is why I cannot emphasize enough on how first impressions greatly matter to cats & why any introduction must be done step-by-step, by the book. If it cannot be corrected at Step 1, it will likely result in disaster when you try to speed it up to Step 4.
Final words of advice, it's essential to be patient, go at their pace, closely monitor their behavior & take a step back wherever necessary to make this successful.
Got a new cat & unsure of how to go about introducing them?
Contact me for a home consultation session!
Downloadable Infographic Below & on Instagram: @thecatwhisperersg
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