For the first encounters between two cats that are new to each other, ensure that there is a screen or door between them, so that the cats can’t jump on each other directly. Photo: 123rf.com
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It may seem to be a nice idea to bring a companion home for your pet cat, but not every kitty will be thrilled when the newcomer moves in.
“Cats are creatures of habit,” says animal welfare activist Hester Pommerening, “and they can react very sensitively to changes.”
So how do you successfully help the two house cats get to know each other – and which tools and tricks really make it easier for the new cat to move in?
Here are some of the most important questions and answers.
Can I just bring the new cat into the flat?
That’s not a good idea. “If you just let two cats clash in the existing cat’s territory, you’re likely to get just that – the clash,” says Sarah Ross from the animal welfare organisation Four Paws.
It can work well to present the cats with a fait accompli, but it’s a high risk strategy, says Michaela Asmuss, a cat behaviour therapist from western Germany.
For the newcomer, the move means stress, while the long- established animal may feel threatened in its territory.
“When socialising, it is really important to give the two cats time to get to know each other in peace and not to overtax them by simply putting them together,” advises Pommerening. “And that means, for example, that the cats don’t necessarily get to see each other, but are allowed to get used to each other’s scent first.”
In the beginning it makes sense to put the newcomer in a separate room – with the door closed and with its own litter tray, food and water bowl. If you have a one-room flat, you could make the kitchen your cat’s home for a short time, says Sarah Ross. She says you can then gradually introduce them to each other by “swapping towels, cloths that the cat has been lying on, so that each can sniff the other”.
Cat owners should also pay careful attention to their pets’ reactions. Possible warning signals include the new cat immediately peeing on the strange-smelling cat blanket. “If that happens, I would immediately consider whether it makes sense to let this cat move in,” says Asmuss.
At first, it’s best to do it briefly and under supervision.
“The first encounters should always take place in such a way that the cats can’t jump on each other directly, but that there is a screen between them,” Asmuss recommends. For example, you can put a baby gate in the door frame and stretch a cat net between the bars. You could also stretch chicken wire or cat netting into a wooden frame and use it as a substitute for a door.
Don’t be alarmed by hissing at the barred door. “Hissing is always defensive and is actually quite a normal reaction for the average cat,” says Asmuss.
Cat owners should make the introduction as positive as possible for both animals. This can mean giving the cats treats when they meet.
Clicker training can also be a good idea, if the animals are familiar with it. Pheromones – messenger substances that are released into the air with the help of a vaporiser – may also be used. Pommerening believes they can help to reduce stress in cats.
“When the cats can see each other through a grid and are interested in each other and also show positive signals,” advises Pommerening. For cat behaviour therapist Asmuss, a raised tail and friendly greetings with the nose are good signs.
However, you should still be prepared for minor conflicts, and separate the cats when you can’t supervise them.Does each cat need its own litter tray permanently?
Yes, and it is even better to have three litter boxes in total, according to the experts because, as Pommerening explains, “cats like to defecate and urinate in separate places”.
She also advises offering food and water in separate bowls, “so that the cats can stay out of each other’s way, and also feel they have their own place where the other cat doesn’t dispute their food or water. – dpa/Jessica Kliem
