How to Bring home a new cat and keep other pets friendly

Introducing a new cat or kitten to other pets in the household can be tricky. You want other cats to accept the new member of the family and you don't want dogs to see your new kitten as prey. Here are some tips on how to bring home a new cat and keep other pets friendly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. When you bring home your new cat or kitten keep him or her apart from your other pets for at least the first day or two. A week is even better. Keeping your new adopted pet separate makes your other pals curious. Additionally, it is always wise to make sure you aren't importing any problems like fleas or mites to other pets. I like to create a safe area where the new arrival can be with me or at least near so we can bond.

2. 
   All kinds of pets can be friendly.

   MAKE SURE YOU GIVE EXTRA ATTENTION TO YOUR OTHER PETS! Giving everyone lots of love will take a lot of time so try to bring in a new pet on a weekend or during a period you will have time to devote to the project. You need to give the new arrival lots of security, yet no one else should be made to feel less important, resentful or neglected. The more positive the initial experiences, the more likely your pets will all become friends.

3. Remove your other pets occasionally to let your new cat or kitten explore each room uninterrupted. This is especially good for allowing the cat to find safe places.

4. 
   Encourage pet curiosity.

   Expose your pets a little at a time so they can check each other out safely, preferably through a gate, fence or screen. Let them become familiar and curious while separate.

5. 
   You can't give your pets too much love.

   Once again, give your other pets extra attention.

6. If you see discomfort or aggression, intervene. Speak gently and calmly. Let everyone know this is a peaceful meeting. You might want to give a dog some favorite treats to make the association with the new cat something positive and pleasant. Other cats are less easy and most offended cats will require time to accept a new feline if bonds are not made in the first few days. Rarely, however, do cats seriously threaten a newcomer so long as the newcomer keeps his/or her distance. And most animals, dogs and cats alike seem to intrinsically know when it's a youngster and prefer to discipline rather than attack.

7. 
   New cats will soon make friends.

   To be sure, never leave your new kitty unsupervised with your other pets until you are sure the are safe together.

8. Keep all claws clipped on other cats to avoid serious scratches should there be an argument.

9. 
   Happy cats

   Most animals either bond or come to a point of tolerance with newcomers before too long. Each animal is different so there are no hard and fast rules. If you bring home a new cat, these tips should help to bring home a new cat and keep your other pets friendly.

Resources

• How to teach a cat tricks
• How to grow cat grass in a pot
• How to get your cat to sleep at night
• How to treat hairballs

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 10/11/2008 What an adorable pic ture. Great resources too. Absolutely wonderful tips. I really like helping to make the other pets curious and being more attentive to the others as a transition. What fun pictures to click on and see up close. They are too-ooo cute.