MeOW Welcome to Service Cats and Everything Feline on Furidays, where we answer your questions and tackle any topic relating to pets, cats in purrticular. Ifin you’ve missed any of the posts in this series, you can click the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page. And you can ask your own questions or make topic suggestions in the comments section below or by sendin’ us a private email via our Contact page. Last week we talked about introducing kitty to roommates and a new apartment. Today, we thought we’d tackle the tough topic of introducing and integrating kitty into a household with resident kitties.
The following post will be written in human English for reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Training Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal training, cats in purr-ticular. And to offer insight into your questions about Everything Feline. Always remember, successful Training is all about Repetition and Rewards.
It was long thought that cats are solitary in nature and preferred to be the only pet in the house. While that is partly true, we are/can be very social and enjoy the attention of our human/family and yes, even other animals including cats. Of course, we must remind you, that there are exceptions. Mommy A calls them Exceptional Kitties, and believes that even they can be integrated into multi pet households. Sis Lexi had been one of those Exceptional Kitties at one time. There may never be the sound of blue birds singing and bees humming, but most kitties can co-exist beside their patient and loving human(s). There are many reasons one may need to integrate a new kitty, such as adoption, marriage, rescue, new roommates, and even long term fostering to name a few. What we’re going to tell you next is the widely accepted way to introduce new kitties to resident kitties or re-introduce kitties after a trauma causes a rift. This is NOT the method mommy A uses; and we will discuss that in another post.
Pheremone and Stress Reducing Products:
While we’ve not had a lot of luck with pheremone based products, you might want to try using them. They come in collars, sprays, edibles, water additives, and plugins. If you use a plugin, watch it closely and change out the entire unit regularly to avoid burning, or any other mishap. You might also want to try flower essences, treats, or other stress reducing products on the market.
Note: Before bringing new kitty home for the first time, kitty should have been checked by a Vet and have been tested for all communicable diseases. All cats should be up to date on vaccinations and/or healthy before any face to face meetings or co-mingling of furs and bodily fluids.
Initial Homecoming:
We do recommend having a Decompression Room/Area for both the resident cat(s) and the newcomer. You can learn how to prepare one here. It is recommended that new kitty and resident kitty be separated in different rooms. New kitty’s space should already be set up with everything he/she will need. We advise including scent markers for everyone in the house, such as a piece of clothing, towel, pillow case, fabric mouse/toy, etc.. Make sure you spend time with new kitty in their space. After a couple of days remove an item that new kitty has scented up and place it in the area of the resident cat(s). Begin feeding kitties closer and closer to the door that separates them. Refresh scent markers in both areas often.
Site Swapping:
Once new kitty is comfortable with you and their area, you can begin Site Swapping. We can’t put a time frame on any of this, as kitties react based on their previous experiences and personalities. Typically, kittens do acclimate quicker. Site Swapping will allow new kitty to see and smell their entire new territory as well as give them the opportunity to “stake their claim” to it. It will also allow resident kitty to fully explore the scents of their new housemate. During this time, continue feeding both kitties closer and closer to the door that separates them.
Site Seeing:
Once both/all kitties are within a couple of feet of the door that separates them, you’ll want to start opening the door so they can see each other. A baby/pet gate draped in a sheet or towel can be used to keep the cats separate and yet allow them to view and smell each other over a meal. NEVER leave the cats unattended until you know how they’re going to act/react. Slowly raise the towel/sheet while the cats are eating. The hope is that they will notice each other but continue to eat. Be prepared to step in and distract either kitty with a toy, wand toys work great for this, and block their site. Continue doing this until both/all cats can eat without any aggression toward the other or you.
Comingling:
Finally, allow both/all cats to inhabit the same space at the same time. Observe how both/all cats interact with each other and be prepared to intercede if needed. Do Not be overbearing or baby either kitty during this time. There very well may be a few hisses or growls, but as long as both cats remain calm, don’t step in. And remember, keep each kitty’s Decompression Room/Area set up so they can escape if need be. Remember to take these steps slowly and be prepared to back up a step if either cat(s) shows signs of stress or isn’t ready to take the next step. We highly recommend during this step, cats be introduced face to face through play and/or treat time. We believe it helps “break the ice” and take the stress out of the face to face meeting.
These steps are also recommended if you suddenly find yourself with discord amongst your usually happy coexisting kitties. We previously wrote mommy A’s Tips for Reintegrating cats in the same household. You can read those Tips here.
Well, we do hope these tips help. Join us next week when we discuss moving with kitty. Sis Lexi used to meow ‘bout it all the time. Y, She and mommy moved 12 times in her lifetime, and she was a happy and well adjusted adventure kitty. Remember, we cats bond with our humans, not a house. And remember, if you’ve missed any post in this series you can ketch up by clickin’ the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page. And, let us know what topics you’d like to read in the comments section below, or send us an email via our Contact page in the menu above. We’re also joinin’ Comedy Plus fur Feline Furiday. Go by and check out all the other adorable kitties. We’ll see ya’ next week or sooner.
Till the next time…………………………………………….Be Blest!!!
Are you an only (Exceptional) kitty or do you have housemates?
Hey everypawdy, it’s me, RaenaBelle. C’mon sissy, we’ve got lots to meow ‘bout today. Includin’ the title of our posty. What’s up with the Sort of? I’s know you’re mine’s BFF, and I’s yours…right? Anyways, the lawn crew’s gone, I’s purromise. (Raena licks her paw and takes a morning bath while sitting on the small perch at the door. Dezi walks into the living room and heads for her breakfast plate when suddenly she hears the blast of the leaf blower on the front porch. She stops in her tracks, flattens to the ground and looks around before running down the hall to the bedroom.) Sissy!!! Come Back!!!
You lied Raena!!! You know how mommy feels ‘bout lyin’!!!
I’s did not, sissy. I’s was just playin’ with ya’. You know that mommy won’t let the lawn crew hurt us.
You still lied Raena. You know when you meow purromise then you have to meow the truth. Mommy says a purromise means that you can guarantee everythin’ said or meowed is true. And that’s ‘zactly what the Sort of means. Hmmmpht BFF’s wouldn’t lie to each other.
Fine, sissy. Kittens, You sure woke up on the wrong side of the bed this meownin’. I’s sorry I’s tricked you. Now, the lawn crew really is gone and we’ve got stuffs we need to do. So, are you comin’ out or not?
Me’s comin’ Raena. What’s so ‘purrtant it just can’t wait?
We need to try these new noms we got from Chewy this month. You know how mommy’s always lookin’ fur a little somethin’ easy to supplement when we ask fur seconds or thirds, and she thought the 12 pack of 2.8oz pouches of Weruva BFF Variety pack just might work. The box contains 2 each of Chicken and Salmon, Chicken, Turkey and Salmon, Lamb and Tuna, Chicken and Tuna, Chicken and Shrimp and Beef and Chicken all in gravy fur $14.49. Kittens!!! That’s a lot of fish.
Dezi: Hmmmmm What is this?
Raena: Ya’ reckon it’s food sissy?
It sure is Raena. Let’s see what Chewy has to say ‘bout ‘em.
Key Benefits
Grain-free wet food variety pack with real meat including duck, salmon, lamb, tuna, chicken, turkey and more.
Packed with protein to support healthy, active muscles, and taurine for heart and vision health.
Provides a 100% complete and balanced diet for cats with essential blend of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Loaded with real broth to keep cats hydrated while supporting digestive and urinary health, and zero carrageenan and gluten.
Easy to use, single-portion BPA-free pouches can be served on their own or as delicious kibble toppers or mix-ins.
Seems they all contain tuna. Me thinks mommy needs to get her eyes checked, cuz she didn’t realize that till we got ‘em home. You know us cat bloggers have a purrivate group where we discuss all kinds of issues includin’ foods. Recently, there was a discussion ‘bout fish and whether or not it was actually good fur kitties or not. The discussion was quite heated and divided.
Beef and Chicken in gravy
That’s always a sign of a good debate, huh sissy?
Usually Raena. We weighed in our thoughts on the subject since we don’t actually like fish. Mommy’s never really fed any kitty fish. She says she purrfurs to feed foods that resemble the types of foods our wild cousins would eat. ‘Course, nopawdy’s sellin’ mouse in a can, so we eat things like rabbit, chicken, deer, etc.. She says very few cats in the wild, includin’ our larger cousins, actually fish. So, mommy decided we oughtta try out the beef and chicken recipe since beef and chicken were the furst 2 ingredients. She hoped it wouldn’t be over run with tuna. Me didn’t care fur the smell, and the “meaty” bits looked kind’a funny. It sure didn’t resemble any beef or chicken we’d ever seen. Me didn’t even wanna try the gravy, which there was more than purrlenty of.
Did you taste it yet Raena?
You’ve got that right sissy. There was oodles of gravy. I’s did give it a couple of licks, but it made mine’s mouth greasy. Mommy was actually laughin’ at me when she saw me flickin’ mine’s tongue out and lookin’ cross-eyed at it. Fanky fankfully, mommy had put down a plate of our regular noms. Once I’s furinally got that greasy taste outta mine’s mouth, I’s ate up mine’s whole dinner right then and there. Mommy was so purroud. She said that was the furst time in years she didn’t have to tell me to eat mine’s dinner.
Raena: Are you even gonna try it sissy?
Dezi: Nah, me’s good Raena. You go ahead.
Yeah Raena, me knows what ya’ mean. But, just cuz we didn’t like it doesn’t mean that lots of kitties out there would. We know several of our furiends that just luv it. Sis Lexi used to like some of the flavors. And, we’ll be passin’ the rest of these off to kitties who need them. And we can enjoy the box they came in. Chewy always has the bestest boxes. And their Customer Service is pawsum.
We received the Weruva BFF variety pack free of charge in exchange for our honest and unbiased opinion. As always, we tell it like we see it. Neither Chewy or Weruva are responsible for the opinions expressed in this post unless otherwise stated. We only bring products we use or have tried and feel would be on interest to you, our readers and friends.
Yeah, not what I’s thought it was gonna be. Oh well, we’ll
make some other kitty very happy when we donate ’em.
And don’t furget the speedy furee shippin’ on all orders of $49.00 or more and speedy flat rate shippin’ on all others. And, you can set up an auto ship so you’ll never run out of your pets faves and save an extra 5% at the same time. Don’t worry, you can always skip, cancel or delay anytime. And, you can always add a little somethin’ somethin’ fur special occasions.
Or just cuz Raena. Ya’ don’t need a special occasion to celebrate your furry. We’re the special in all occasions. MOL
I’s totally agree sissy. To read other reviews of more great purroducts, you can click here. Sissy, let’s wrap this up and go and play.
MeOW (Dezi lays on the scratcher cleaning her face after having a few bites of breakfast, when she hears a low rumble off in the distance…) Hisssssssssss Hurry Raena, we’ve gotta write our Blest Sunday posty befur the storms start up again. (Dezi looks up at mommy A sitting in the chair beside the scratcher and begins to meow) Mommy, me’s so tired of the storms. Me didn’t even get to take selfies with you and Raena.
Well whose fault is that sissy? Mommy called you like, elebenty billion times. You’re the one who chose to stay UTB (under the bed) ‘stead of comin’ out fur the foto shoot. ‘Course, I’s’ll tell ya’, you didn’t miss much. Mommy couldn’t figger out how to make the smarty pants fone camera turn ‘round; and shootin’ selfies with the regular camera was like shootin’ in the dark. And, mommy made me sit and stare into the air the whole time she messed with ‘em. She got great fotos of mine’s paws and her neck. And a few of our tummies, and the tippy tops of our heads. I’s tellin’ ya’, we’d have blooper fotos fur a year outta that one foto shoot.
Really Raena? Well, guess it’s good that mommy doesn’t claim to be a seasoned or purrfessional fotographer. Otherwise, it would really be embarrassin’. Sometimes, me thinks we could take better fotos even tho’ we don’t have any thumbs.
You’re purrobably right sissy. We did furinally get a couple of usable fotos. Fanky fank heavens. Mommy’s been so x’cited ‘bout havin’ her new teethies, and we know everypawdy wants to see ‘em, so she wasn’t ‘bout to stop till we got at least one foto. Mommy was so touched by everypawdy who said she was purretty even without makeup.
Yeah Raena, but they’ve never seen her. Ya’ know, it’s kind’a like the old barn on the farm. It’s full of memories and luv but not much to look at. But, you throw a couple coats of fresh paint on ‘er and she’s not an eyesore anymore.
Sissy?!! Are you callin’ mommy an eyesore? I’s gonna tell.
Go ahead blabber mouth. Me wasn’t callin’ mommy an eyesore. Me was just sayin’, some old barns look better with a few coats of paint. You know, mommy’s got scars and discolorations and no eyebrows. You know how self conscious she is. She gets all decked out fur her drivers license foto fur kittens sake.
That’s true sissy, she sure does. Anyways, I’s think the new teethies look purretty good. It’s fur sure nice to see mommy smilin’ again. She’s gonna need some adjustments, but ‘pawrently, that’s purrfectly normal. And as soon as we get the green papers fur more gas, mommy’ll call and make a ‘pointment. Mommy says she’s so very fanky fankful fur all the luv and suppurrt from our furiends durin’ this long purrocess. We are so very Blest to have the greatest furiends in the universe.
We are Raena. That’s why we fank God fur them every day and ask Him to Bless them and meet all their needs.
I’s luvs purrayer time sissy. I’s luvs countin’ all our Blessings. (Seeing Dezi pawing through the toy basket, Raena meows…) Sissy, what are you doin’? There’s a nip nanner right here, and a nip heart and fishy and our made with luvs by awnty Ellen, silvervine toast over there.
(Looking up and over her shoulder from the toy basket) Me knows Raena, but those aren’t the toys me wants to play with right now. Me’s sure there’s somethin’ really fun in the toy basket, me just has to dig out some of these toys on top.
But sissy, mommy just picked up all those toys and put ‘em away. I’s don’t think she’s gonna be too happy ‘bout you scatterin’ ‘em all over the floor again.
She won’t care Raena. Mommy’s always sayin’ how much she luvs to see us playin’. (Dezi pulls the top layer of toys out of the toy basket and then looks around) We sure are Blest to have so many toys. Me thinks me’d rather play with the nip heart after all. As we do every week, we’d like to remind you all to take a minute today and every day to give Thanks fur the Blessings in your life. Fank you fur bein’ Blessings in ours.
Hey sissy, don’t furget, we’re linkin’ up with the Kitties Blue fur Sunday Selfies. After all I’s had to put up with to get a usable foto of mommy’s new teethies, we’re fur sure postin’ ‘em. Truth be told, I’s totally enjoyed bein’ held by mommy. Ain’t ‘nuffin better than mommy luvvin’.
RaenaBelle, me sure wishes you’d act like a civilized cat and quit layin’ on the pawtty box. Some of us like a bit of purrivacy ya’ know?! And me’s tail isn’t a toy fur that matter. How would you like it ifin me whacky pawed your tail while you were usin’ the pawtty box. Or purrhaps you might get a laugh ifin me tried to trip you as you stepped outta the pawtty box, huh? RaenaBelle?!! Are you lissenin’ to me?
What’s that sissy? Did you meow somethin’? Hey, isn’t it Blest Sunday time?
(Dezi shakes her head) That selective hearin’ is gonna get you into trouble some day Raena. Me meowed purrlenty. But you’re right, it is Blest Sunday, and pawrt of fankin’ God fur our Blessings is furgivin’ those that have wronged us. So, me will furgive you fur tryin’ to trip me this meownin’, and yesfurday and the day befur and the day befur and the…
Uh, I’s think furgiveness isn’t s’posed to sound quite like that sissy. I’s think you’re just s’posed to furgive me and not actually count all the times or things you’re furgivin’ me fur. Anyways, fanky fank you. I’s furgive you too.
Fur What, Raena?! Me’s never done anythin’ to you.
What? Of course you have sissy. You eat mine’s dinner evey day. Even tho’ mommy tells you not too. But that’s okay, we’re furgivin’, and besides, mommy always makes me more when you’re not lookin’.
What?!!! (Dezi shakes her head) Whatever Raena. Is there anypawdy else you need to ‘pawlogize too? Or maybe you need to ask somepawdy to furgive you?
Nope, sissy, I’s good. How ‘bout you?
Ifin you’re good then fur sure me is, Raena. Me’s always a good girl.
Sure you are sissy. That’s why we can’t see the bathroom floor fur the piddle pads. Or the hallway floor fur that matter. All cuz you’re bein’ a good girl. Why don’t we ask mommy what she says to that?
Go ahead tattle tale. Don’t you know by now that it doesn’t matte what we do, mommy luvs us just the same?. Even you, you little pest. No matter what, mommy says we’re always Good Girls, her little angels.
I’s gonna tell mommy you’re bein’ mean to me and callin’ me names, sissy. You know she doesn’t like negative names. That’s why she calls us her little angels, even when we’re not actually actin’ like one.
Me’s sorry Raena. Kittens!!! Sometimes you can be such a brat. And me means that in the nicest pawssible sense. Let’s get to our Blessings. You know we’re the most Blestest kitty girls ever. We were reminded this past week just how Blest we truly are. While on facebutt (facebook) we were readin’ a few rescue stories of kitties saved from the mean streets of this world. It reminded us of our own humble beginnings.
So true, sissy. It doesn’t really matter where you get your start, what matters is how it all ends. Fanky fankfully, we didn’t have to wait very long fur our happily ever after, our furever story, but so many kitties do.
Life is good.
Yep Raena, our furever is amazin’ and filled with so much luv and so many pawsum furiends. We wish that ever kitty could find their happy furever, and we believe that some day that will happen. In the meantime, we’ll continue to do all we can to make that happen. We also wanna fank all of those who help kitties in need. Each life is purrecious and a Blessing. As always, we’d like to remind you all to take a minute today and every day to give Thanks fur the Blessings in your life. Fank you all fur bein’ Blessings in ours.
Life is better than good.
Don’t furget our Sunday Selfies with the Kitties Blue, sissy.
Service Cats U.S. 