Dr. M. Margaret King
EDMOND — The old adage, “There’s only one chance to make a first impression” is very true in the cat world. One of the most common questions we receive is “do you think he/she would get along with my other cat?” Bringing home a second or third adult cat can sometimes present somewhat of a challenge. There are several tips for helping this be a success.
All introductions should be gradual and never done forcefully. Neutered cats of the opposite sex than your cat usually will get along better, although this is not necessarily cast in stone. Neutering is all but essential whether males or females so that dominance and territory are lower on the list.
As soon as you obtain a new cat, take it immediately to your veterinarian for a full exam to test for feline leukemia and kitty AIDS or FIV, check for both internal and external parasites and general health and well-being. Be sure all vaccinations are current. If healthy, your stepwise introduction can begin. Clip the nails on both or all cats at the outset. Try to use the same size of cat box and the same type of litter that the new cat is accustomed to.
One thing that will help more than anything is to take two old T-shirts or towels and let each cat sleep on one or just rub it all over them. Take the towels from the new cat to your cat, and vice versa. Let them sniff and lay on the towels or shirts and get used to the smells. Place the new cat in a quiet “safe room” away from your cat(s), but where sniffing can occur under a door for a few days. Introductions should be a gradual process.
Both cats’ needs for rest and solitude should be respected before, during and after the transition. A product called Feliway is a wonderful helper toward a smooth interaction. It actually is a concentrated facial pheromone that has a calming effect on cats. It is the same pheromone that is released when your cat rubs its face on the corner of the refrigerator, chair or wall. Spritzing this in their area once or twice daily can work wonders.
After about seven to 10 days the door can be used to separate their food bowls for feeding. Eating together, even on each side of a closed door can reinforce good feelings. After two or three days of this, crack the door slightly and let them play footsies. One other step might be to place the new cat in a carrier and let them sniff, feed them near each other and when they seem ready, open the carrier. Let them co-mingle.
Offer each of them a special treat or some special canned food. Play with both of them with a feather on a stick or other interactive toy. Give them both extra attention but especially your first cat so he can be sure he is not being replaced.
If serious encounters begin, throw a light blanket over them or spritz them with a spray bottle containing a tablespoon of vinegar. They hate the taste when they have to lick it off. Let them rest and try again at a later time. In the greater majority of cases they will begin to coexist and do fine. If you have to, try again in a few days, but if they just cannot get along it is better to try not to force them. Just try another cat at a different time and see if your first kitty will allow it.
Always be sure both or all of them have plenty of private space, that there are always plenty of litter pans in various areas, one more than the total number of cats, and there are plenty of scratching posts and perches. Chances are really good that they will begin to cohabit even though it may take awhile to do so. Most cats like the companionship.
Just as with people, however, you cannot force them to be friends. If after a month or so they are not making even gradual improvement, they might be happier apart.
DR. M. MARGARET KING, a longtime Edmond veterinarian, is a guest columnist. If you have any questions, send them to mking@acreview.com or mail them to 1900 S. Bryant, Edmond, OK 73013.
