20
Wednesday, August 3, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Paw
Prints
Jodi Schneider McNamee
Columnist
Cats with
other cats
You recently began a new
job outside the home and
have been concerned that
your cat might be lonely.
She’s such an easy-going cat
since you raised her from a
kitten two years ago, and you
think she would enjoy the
company of another feline.
Throwing two cats into
one environment without
careful consideration of their
situation is just asking for
trouble. A botched or hurried
introduction can set the cats
up to become bitter enemies.
With the right introduction,
cats can ease into accepting
one another and may just
become lifelong pals
Since cats are social ani-
mals and not solitary crea-
tures as was once thought,
there are benefits to having
two cats — as long as they
are well matched. One bene-
fit is that the two felines pro-
vide each other with exercise
and social interaction.
They are also territorial,
so the introduction process
requires some finesse and
patience. Both cats need
to feel secure. From your
resident kitty’s perspective,
there’s an intruder in her
territory. From the newcom-
er’s view, she has just been
dropped on hostile ground.
All cats are different,
and some are more social
than others. For instance:
An 8-year-old cat who has
never been around other
animals might not learn to
share her territory (and her
pet parent) with other pets.
But an 8-week-old kitten
separated from her mom
and littermates for the first
time might be glad to have
any companion. These dif-
ferences should be consid-
ered when making a match.
Kittens, adolescents, and
young adults can usually
get along by satisfying
each other’s need to play.
Another suitable match
would be pairing a kitten
or adolescent with an adult
female that has been around
other cats, so the female
can take on a “motherly”
role.
Both cats will need a safe
place away from each other
in the beginning of this big
life-changing event.
Kitty already has her
established territory, so the
new cat’s temporary quar-
ters can be a spare bedroom
or bathroom with her litter
box, food, water, scratching
post, toys and a bed for up to
a week. Think about includ-
ing a large open carrier or
crate, so she has a hiding
place if she feels stressed
while acclimating to her
new environment.
After spending time with
your new cat, close the door
behind you and visit with
your resident feline. Kitty
will smell the newbie on
you. She will also sense her
through the door. Give Kitty
tantalizing treats so she
makes a positive connection
to the new cat. Then spend
quality time with the new
feline, rewarding her with
goodies, too.
Feed Kitty and the new-
bie on each side of the door
to the room where your new
cat’s temporary living quar-
ters are so that they associ-
ate something enjoyable
(eating) with each other’s
smells. However, don’t put
food so close to the door that
the animals are too upset by
each other’s presence to eat.
Gradually move the
dishes closer to the door
until both pets can eat
photo by jodi Schneider McnaMee
Nonolo, a kitten that does well with an older cat that has been around
other cats.
calmly while sitting directly
on either side of the door.
Next, you can try to get
both cats to interact with a
toy – while on opposite side
of the door. Tie a toy, such
as a furry mouse or feather,
to each end of a string, then
place it on either side of the
door. Hopefully, they’ll start
batting the toys around.
To animals, smells are far
more important than appear-
ances, so you want to get
your cats used to each oth-
er’s scent before they meet
face-to-face.
Once your new cat is
using her litter box and eat-
ing regularly while confined,
let her have free time in the
house while confining Kitty
to the new cat’s room.
Sound crazy?
Think of it this way: It’s
better to introduce your pets
to each other gradually so
that neither animal becomes
afraid or aggressive. Even
then, when the cats are face-
to-face, there will still be
some kinks for them to work
out.
Realize that multiple
cats are not likely to be best
buddies immediately. There
are no guarantees, and it’s
always best to be super cau-
tious when introducing cats
to each other.