FELINE cat to a resident dog, use these safety measures as well as a leash on the dog to ensure the cat's safety. Whether it is the first meeting or a dozen meetings later, once they are merely hissing without arching the back or staring, let the cats interact for 10 or 20 minutes, working up to several hours a day. Watch them the whole time. This second stage is very crucial to their future relationship.You must ensure that they are separated immediately if there is any stress or aggression.You do not want fighting or aggression to become a habit; it may only take a couple of weeks for them to establish their hierarchy. However, if you have two assertive cats, this might take many months. Keep in mind that some cats will never be friends or share litter boxes even after years together. They may, however, have a peaceful coexistence if introductions and resources are handled correctly. Do not leave your new pet alone with the resident pets until © Can Stock Photo Inc./ilona75 you are sure it is safe to do so. This probably will not be until at meeting. If the cats sit, stare and growl, calmly close the door. least the third week she is living with you. Signs to look for are Try it again later. When they are relaxed in each other’s pressleeping close to each other, using each other’s litter boxes, playing ence allow them to spend an increasing number of minutes in with their ears forward or walking past each other without hissing sight of each other. If they fight or one cat chases the other, or swatting. Be very slow to move the new cat’s resources out of calmly put the towel between them to disorient and redirect her safe room. Only move them after she is relaxed outside her the aggressor. Keep them separated for at least a day. The next room and move the resources gradually, a few inches a day. time they meet, go back to using the toddler gate or a slightlyopened door so they are unable to fight. When introducing a - Patience Fisher BS DipFBST CVA BSBIO Newly arrived cats need to find their place in the social order of other pets in the home
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46
BARKS from the Guild/September 2015