Because we want both you and your new cat to be comfortable and happy, we do our best to match our cats to the most suitable owners. We'll visit you at home first and then make arrangements to call after homing to ensure that your cat has settled in well. During this trial period you can contact Cats Protection for help and advice.
How Cats Protection can help you
Cats Protection can help you introduce your new cat to your present pets with the minimum of stress or anxiety. A few simple precautions can make it easier for your pets to accept each other and their new home together.
Introducing your new pet
When you first bring home your new cat, be prepared to be patient. It must be a gradual process, so don't expect instant harmony.
Cats that like being with people are not necessarily sociable towards other cats. However, a confident, friendly cat is more likely to approach newcomers with curiosity rather than mistrust or jealousy, whereas a timid cat will probably be cautious, fearful and even aggressive towards another pet. It may take weeks of gentle persuasion before he is confident enough to be in the same room as the newcomer.
Occasionally, cats have trouble settling into their new homes or existing pets refuse to accept them. If this happens, you may have to consider returning your cat, so we can find him a more suitable home. On the whole though, most cats (and even dogs) will eventually accept each other, as long as they are given time, patience and understanding.
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His own room with a view
While your new cat is gaining confidence in his new home, it is vital that he remains safe and away from any potential dangers that might frighten or harm him.
Ideally he should have his own room overlooking the garden, so he can get used to his surroundings. A glass door will allow him to see and receive signals from your other pets - without danger. Make sure the room is secure. Chimneys, slightly open windows and cat flaps all provide easy escape routes.
Kittens are usually too busy to escape, but can often get under your feet. If they have their own room too, they can avoid being trodden on or tripped over. Cover any open fires and switch off gas or electric fires, which could be hazardous.
If your kitten is especially nervous, he may need a 'private corner' where he can hide. A cardboard box with a hole cut out is ideal. If you can't spare a whole room, a kitten pen allows him to see everything, but keeps him out of harm's way.
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Familiarisation procedures
The first few hours your cat spends in his new home can really affect how well he accepts his new surroundings. These simple steps can reduce potential anxiety and help you bond.
When he arrives show him his room, which should contain a litter tray, water, a safe bed, toys and all his familiar things. Leave him alone to explore quietly for about an hour, ensuring that other pets are kept away from the door.
Return to his room, get down on the floor to his level, put out your hand and call him by the name you have chosen. Don't move suddenly as he will feel threatened. If you allow your cat to make the initial response your relationship will probably be more satisfying than if you approach him.
He may offer his head for you to touch, purr and invite you to stroke his back, arch towards you, or even allow you to lift him up and stroke him. If this is going well, you could try putting him on your lap. Let him jump down if he finds this uncomfortable. Stroke him only if he shows you his whole body or rubs against your legs. Keep repeating his name, sit down and let him get onto your lap.
Don't worry if he chooses to hide. Continue to talk gently to him and he'll probably emerge to investigate. If he refuses to come out, leave him in the safety of his hiding place. Never attempt to drag him out, as he may claw, scratch and growl at you. Just continue to visit him, down on his level, repeating his name and encouraging him to come. Be patient - as long as he is eating and using the litter tray there is no cause for alarm.
Remember to give your other pets plenty of fuss and keep to their routine. They'll be resentful if you devote all your time to the new arrival.
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Learning how to feed him
If your cat needs to follow a special diet, Cats Protection will let you know, but otherwise stick to what he prefers. Too much milk or strange food may upset his stomach. New foods can be slowly introduced and stirred in with his favourite dishes.
He'll let you know when he's hungry. Make sure he has water at all times and feed him Little and often. Start with three or four small meals a day, which can be reduced later to the usual two meals. Kittens need four or five meals each day of specially formulated food. See Cats Protection's booklet Feeding Felines for further information.
Cats usually love their food and you'll make a friend quickly if you offer regular tempting meals. You'll know he's accepted you, when he eats in your presence. Let him eat without interruption and try to avoid unnecessary noise. He'll then probably head straight for his litter tray, have a wash and then sleep.
Handling and meeting your family
Rescued cats may not have had much contact with people, so could be slow to welcome affection. Your new cat may need time to get used to you, so take this stage slowly.
Start by lifting him up for a cuddle, making sure you support him properly. It may take a few days before he feels comfortable with this. Some cats simply don't like being picked up and this must be respected.
To give your cat pleasure and help him relax, try combing him instead. Transfer his scent to your other pets by fussing them just after you've stroked him. Accepting each other's scent is a vital step in successful integration.
When he's confident with you, he can meet the other members of the family, one by one. Follow the same procedure you carried out when he first arrived. Show children the correct way to hold him and make sure they understand he's not a toy. Explain that he needs his sleep, privacy, attention and gentle loving care. Do not leave children under five alone with him.
Once he's met and is happy with everyone, let him gradually explore the rest of his new home, provided there are no other animals in the house. Strange smells and noises may make him dash back to his own room, so leave the door open. You'll have to keep him indoors for the first three to four weeks, so make sure the parts of the house he has access to are escape-proof.
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Meeting your other pets
Once your new cat is familiar and happy with the rest of your family, it's time for him to meet your other pets.
If you own a dog, hold on to his collar when he first meets your new cat. Only ever leave them alone together when you are convinced they are on good terms -especially with kittens and large dogs. Often kittens take charge of the situation immediately and many dogs can be terrified of the newcomer.
Don't expect instant harmony between cats. They may react in any of the following ways: freeze, make their spinal hair bristle, growl, hiss, paw the floor or puff up their tails or show their side view to make them look bigger than they really are. Don't worry, these initial reactions are usually sorted out with eye to eye contact and not by fighting. Expect them to stare at each other to establish hierarchy, until one cat retreats slowly.
Make sure there is always an easy escape route available. In case of actual fighting, have a blanket ready, so you can separate them easily without getting injured by sharp claws. At this stage, let your new cat keep to 'his room' for meals, sleeping and his litter tray.
Once there is a level of acceptance between the cats let them eat together, as this will promote harmony. Initially put an object like a bin, bucket or chair between the feeding bowls. Gradually move them closer together, until you can eventually take away the obstacle.
The confident newcomer will quickly feel at ease eating like this, but more timid cats may prefer to eat at a distance for a while. A good way to encourage reluctant cats to make friends is to give them both their favourite food in the same place. The desire for the treat is often greater than the fear or dislike of each other.
Eating together appears to promote harmony and afterwards both animals are likely to sniff each other without too much animosity. If repeated daily, your current pet will associate the new cat with his favourite food, which helps integration enormously.
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Venturing outside
Now your new cat has gained confidence inside your home, he needs to explore his outside environment.
After three or four weeks, encourage him to follow you into the safest part of the garden, making sure his access back into your house is obvious and away from the danger of traffic. Don't worry - he'll find his way indoors again, especially if you let him out just before mealtime. If he's seen the garden from his room, his surroundings will be familiar. If not, you could try taking him around the garden on a harness.
If you are near a busy road, make sure your cat is aware of the danger. Not all cats have good road sense, so keep your garden securely fenced to avoid road accidents.
Five top tips to ensure your pets live in harmony together
I. Be patient and let your new cat set the pace
2. Make plenty of fuss of your existing pets
3. Swap bedding and toys to transfer scent
4. Use Feliway spray to help build up confidence*
5. Provide a few 'high up' escape places
*available from your vet
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Adopting a stray
It's sometimes difficult to spot a genuine stray from the type of cat who just enjoys visiting other homes.
A cat that has had an owner but is now homeless, will scavenge for food and affection. He may be thin, scruffy, flea-ridden and cautious of people. Female strays that are thin with a large tummy are probably pregnant. Some cats are often thought to be strays, but actually have a good home somewhere. They are usually friendly, well fed and healthy.
If you suspect your 'stray' has a home, take him to the vet to see if he's been microchipped. If not, put a Cats Protection SafeCat circlet on him with a message for the owner and your phone number or address. Advertise on the local shop noticeboard or in your area's free newspaper and contact your nearest rescue organisation to see if he's on their lost and found register. You can also phone Petsearch UK on 0121 704 4377.
If you discover your cat is a genuine stray and decide to keep him, shut any other pets away when he appears so they don't frighten him away. Give him some food, build up his confidence, see if you can stroke him and then invite him into your house.
Follow the same simple steps explained in the familiarisation procedure - with one exception. He will be living outside to start with rather than inside your house.
Make sure he sees a vet immediately to prevent the spread of unwanted diseases in your home. Don't let him have any contact with your other pets until he has been neutered and pronounced healthy. Be patient. It may take several weeks before your stray is happy to accept his new home and family. |
