Cat lovers and breeders know very well that one cat is often not enough, and that there is sometimes a need to get another cat companion. However, this decision will affect the whole household and, above all, it is necessary to prepare the cat you already have for the arrival of a new family member. What should you do in this situation and what should you be aware of?
Cats are generally rather social creatures who like to play, and therefore the integration of a new addition into the family could be without major problems. However, it is certainly necessary to think about the right way to introduce both your pets to each other. “Both cats should certainly not be forced to be together, it is better if they have their own space and they learn to be with each other on their own," says Darina Tarabini.
Enough Attention and Starting Separately
However, the animals should always be watched over to avoid unwanted fights that might need to be brought into line. At the same time, the cats should spend their first days in the new home separately. Tarabini describes her experience: “First, I have the new family member in another room – for quarantine as well as to allow it to get used to the new environment”. At the same time, she adds that it is good to devote enough attention to the new cat to make it easier for it to get used to the new home and to let it know that it is welcome.
Sprays Might Help
Then, you can slowly let your older household member get used to the new addition to the family, perhaps by letting it get used to the smell of the new cat. This can for example happen if you let your pet smell your hands and clothes. If your cat reacts aggressively to this change, you can use various tools to mitigate the aggression and facilitate adjustment. These include, for example, various pheromone sprays or homeopathy.
Respect for Individuality
Cats’ different natures need to be respected. The breeder advises that the owner should always try to adapt to each animal. “I try not to force cats to do anything. Some of them need more attention, more cuddling and games, others are more independent and only want a full bowl. I always try to adapt to what a given cat needs and requires," she explains.
The Importance of One’s Personal Space
Also, it is important to maintain the personal space of each animal and to ensure that it has access to a bowl with water and dry food. It’s great to have a spot for food and sleeping for each family member separately, mainly in the beginning. Then, if they get along well, these boundaries don’t have to be so strict. In the beginning, every pet should know that they have their own spot to use.
Age (Doesn’t) Matter
Whether cats learn to live together usually depends on their natures rather than on their age. However, it is also true that younger cats are usually more active and adjust to changes better than older cats that need their peace and quiet. However, if the new household member is similar in nature to the old one, it is very likely that they will get along well.
Every one of us has for sure encountered diarrhoea in our fuzzy friend. Usually, there’s nothing to fuss about, the body reacts to food that it isn’t capable to digest or that didn’t do it good. However, it is good to know, when we are capable of...
I have been sharing with you my experience with dogs and other animals for quite some time now and it occurred to me to wander a little bit into history as well, but into an interesting one! I’d like to introduce you to several well-known dog...
Allergy is a disproportionate reaction of the immunity system to common stimuli. It cannot be cured, but we can suppress its manifestations. In the last years, allergies in pets and dogs especially are on the rise. Currently, about 10% of house-dogs...
Today, we are going to take a look at the Feline Infectious Peritonitis - FIP, an utterly exceptional virus illness that always has a fatal end. Most of the cats get into contact with the viruses that cause FIP in their lifetime, even though the...
We can divide dog owners into two groups. The ones that allow the dog in bed and those that feel that this is no option. Let’s take a look at what such bed sharing with a dog actually entails.
If you like going on treks with your fuzzy friends, geocaching is something precisely for you. This way, you will liven up your trips and maybe you even discover places that you wouldn’t have found otherwise. I and my pack can’t get enough of it.
Contrary to dogs, cats have a strong bond with the place where they live. That’s why moving is very stressful for them and this stress may cause a number of diseases. It’s a good idea to plan everything well, so that you could make the situation of a...
Even though the dogs went through long years of domestication, they still retain fundamental instincts as we do. They might not be as strong as in wild dogs, but they still play a very significant role in the life of a dog and in their behaviour. So if...
Even though it’s been a long time since our four-legged furry friends lived a feral life, they still have the laws of the pack rooted deep down inside them. It is not acquired behaviour, the need to live in a pack is determined by genetics. And if...
It is no news that the dog isn’t only a pet and that it can also help saving human lives in various catastrophes. But have you ever thought about what it means for dogs to become rescuers? You haven’t? Well, then it’s the right time to set off together...
The usual pregnancy period in female dogs is indicated at about 58 – 65 days, the average is 63 days. In case of the nutrition of a pregnant female, possible changes in diet can be likened to the changes in diet of pregnant women. Pregnant female dogs...
The most frequent reason why your dog starts to gain weight is simple, as in most of people: they consume more energy than they spend. Some owners wave their arm at a well-intended warning that their pet has gained weight, stating that the dog is...
