We have just recently adopted a new cat (Luna) from our animal hospital. We have slowly been making the introductions between her and our resident cat (Henry).
We first set up a "safe room" for Luna and we let her out every once in a while to get her scent everywhere for Henry to smell. Henry and Luna seemed to be fine with each other's scents so we then took the next step of introducing Henry to Luna while Luna was in a pet carrier. Henry hissed and growled for a bit, but eventually calmed down. We put Luna back into her room for a while and Henry would sit by the door as if he were waiting for her to come back out to see him. They like to play with each other's arms from under the door.
A day later, we decided to let them finally meet. They sniffed eachother and were fine at first. We played with them with a cat toy and they seemed to be having fun.
Henry is very curious about Luna. He wants to follow her around and play. Luna does not seem to like this and hisses and growls at him. Eventually, they chase eachother around and swat and tumble all over eachother. We seperate them and try to introduce them again later. The same thing occurs. I've never introduced two cats, so I am not sure if this is normal. Are they playing or are they not happy with eachother?
At first Luna used claws to defend herself and swatted at Henry all of the time, but now she doesn't seem to be using her claws. We have to be very careful about introductions because Luna had a broken jaw that healed over before the animal hospital found her. I don't want to rish her jaw getting hurt or infected.
Are their actions normal? Is there anything else I can do to make their meetings better? They are absolutely fine with eachother's scents - so I don't really know what the next step is to make them satisfied with living together.
Any help would be appreciated.
-Becky
Introducing Cats -- HELP!
Hi Becky-
Cats are scent driven, and one of the easiest ways to for them to gain acceptance of each other is to make them all smell the same. You can do this with vanilla extract. Take a small amount and put it on your finger, dab it under their chin and at the base of their tails. Cats when they introduce themselves to each other go two places to sniff, front and rear. This small amount of vanilla will not hurt them, and they will smell alike and get along better.
Cats are scent driven, and one of the easiest ways to for them to gain acceptance of each other is to make them all smell the same. You can do this with vanilla extract. Take a small amount and put it on your finger, dab it under their chin and at the base of their tails. Cats when they introduce themselves to each other go two places to sniff, front and rear. This small amount of vanilla will not hurt them, and they will smell alike and get along better.
The smallest feline is a masterpiece.
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
-
Auntie Debbie
- The Mod Squad
- Posts: 1258
- Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2003 5:12 am
- Location: over the rainbow
- Contact:
Further ideas and suggestions can be found on my website (Debbie's Feline Health) just under Favorites on the menu on the left side of this board. Look under the Feline Links for "Introductions".
It's hard sometimes to tell if cats are playfighting or really fighting. A good rule of thumb is that if the cats aren't doing too much hissing, growling or squealing and the claws are not involved and it's more chasing around than anything, it's likely they're just palyfighting.
Once the claws and fangs come out, serious growling and hissing, etc. starts, then you know it's no longer fun.
Sounds like you're on the right track though. Good luck and keep us posted, ok?
It's hard sometimes to tell if cats are playfighting or really fighting. A good rule of thumb is that if the cats aren't doing too much hissing, growling or squealing and the claws are not involved and it's more chasing around than anything, it's likely they're just palyfighting.
Once the claws and fangs come out, serious growling and hissing, etc. starts, then you know it's no longer fun.
Sounds like you're on the right track though. Good luck and keep us posted, ok?
Kitty kisses,
Debbie
____________________________________
"Those we shelter on earth will be our treasures in Heaven." Victor Hugo, I think
Debbie
____________________________________
"Those we shelter on earth will be our treasures in Heaven." Victor Hugo, I think
-
CopperPenny
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon May 19, 2003 12:03 pm
Thanks for the advice! They are doing a little better day by day, but we still keep them seperated for the most part.
They seem to miss eachother when they are seperated and Luna now wants to play with Henry, however Henry has the problem of biting when he plays with Luna. Any advice on how to stop that?
They seem to miss eachother when they are seperated and Luna now wants to play with Henry, however Henry has the problem of biting when he plays with Luna. Any advice on how to stop that?
Hello:
When we introduced a new cat into our home we did the following, and it seemed to work:
Keep them seperate, and slowly let them meet each other for a little longer each day. If they hiss, I've been told not to yell or correct them. Its a natural thing, so let it happen.
Start letting them eat in the same room, but across from each other. Each day, move thier food a little closer until they eat side by side.
It takes time, but eventually they will become best friends!
As for the biting, I have seen this work itself out. When I have had single cats, they seem to play a bit rougher. Once they get a playmate, I think they eventually learn that biting and scratching hurts! Slowly, they seem to stop it (if they bite thier friend, their friend will bite back!)
Good luck!
When we introduced a new cat into our home we did the following, and it seemed to work:
Keep them seperate, and slowly let them meet each other for a little longer each day. If they hiss, I've been told not to yell or correct them. Its a natural thing, so let it happen.
Start letting them eat in the same room, but across from each other. Each day, move thier food a little closer until they eat side by side.
It takes time, but eventually they will become best friends!
As for the biting, I have seen this work itself out. When I have had single cats, they seem to play a bit rougher. Once they get a playmate, I think they eventually learn that biting and scratching hurts! Slowly, they seem to stop it (if they bite thier friend, their friend will bite back!)
Good luck!