First meeting
You can’t immediately let a new tenant near your old pet. The cat, which previously lived in the apartment, will appreciate the appearance of a new one as an invasion of its territory. The result of such an acquaintance will be aggression, expressed in hissing or direct attack.
The reaction of the new tenant depends on his age and temperament:
- a small and insecure kitten will experience stress and will remain distrustful of both the owner and the older pet for a long time;
- an adult cat with character is capable of fighting back, and as a result of the fight, the old inhabitant of the apartment may also suffer.
Trying to quickly meet 2 cats does not contribute to their good relationship with each other. In addition, the old cat will lose trust in the owner, considering him the reason for the appearance of a rival, whom this owner is now also courting.
How to make friends between a cat and a kitten?
Simple steps to strong friendship
- We act smoothly.
Haste is our main enemy. If you brought a kitten home and immediately brought it to the cat, do not be surprised at the latter’s aggressive reaction. For us, a kitten is a cute fluffy ball. But for a cat, he is a source of unfamiliar odors, a stranger and a competitor. It will take her time to get used to it. Forcing events is the path to failure.
- We divide the territory.
A new pet for a cat is a competitor. Our task is to change her perception. The cat must understand that no one claims its territory, that it does not need to fight for it. To do this, keep the kitten in another room for the first few days. It is better if at first he does not intersect with the cat at all. The baby should have his own bowls, his own bed and, most importantly, his own tray. Many cats refuse to use their usual place and begin to play pranks in the apartment if their litter box is “marked” by another animal.
- The first acquaintance is through smells.
Even if the kitten lives in another room and does not intersect with the cat, she feels him perfectly. The newcomer is given away by the smells that the cat keenly detects. She may come to the door of the room, sniff it and ask to enter. Do not give in to provocations and do not let the cat near the kitten. More likely, this will result in the first quarrel. But if in the first few days the cat simply smells the smell of a new family member, she herself will not notice how she begins to get used to him. Personal acquaintance in a few days will be calmer.
- First meetings under supervision!
Personal acquaintance between the kitten and the cat should take place under the strict supervision of the owners. Each animal has its own temperament. You can't predict how your cat will react to a baby. Some people show curiosity and quickly change it to friendliness. But for most, the first reaction to a stranger is indifference or aggression. Make sure that the indignant “old-timer” does not harm the kitten or frighten it.
If the cat hisses at the kitten in warning, this is normal. Let your pets watch each other from a safe distance. But if she goes on the offensive, trying to scratch or bite the baby, interrupt the acquaintance. The meeting will need to be repeated the next day and so on until the relationship improves.
It’s funny, but in some cases the “old-timer” himself needs help. A hyperactive and fearless kitten can besiege a new friend and literally not give him access. Try to maintain balance between your pets.
- Aggression is normal!
When an adult cat hurts a kitten, we want to protect it. But punishing for a hostile attitude is senseless and cruel. The cat is stressed, she is frightened by the appearance of a stranger and her behavior is guided by instincts: cats by nature are not social animals. Instead of punishing, give your cat a treat and play with it. This will help her calm down and become friendlier.
- Attention - equally.
Jealousy is a feeling characteristic not only of people, but also of animals. Just as older children are jealous of their parents for a newborn, so adult pets are jealous of the “newcomers.” Of course, a kitten requires more attention and you will want to spend more time with it, but this does not mean that you can forget about other pets. If after the birth of the kitten you begin to pay insufficient attention to the cat, she will quite reasonably associate your indifference with the furry baby and her hostility will only intensify.
- More fun together!
The opposite tactic to point 6 is to pay equal attention to your pets, entice them with games, and treat them with treats. After the kitten and cat get used to each other a little, involve them in joint games, buy toys that several cats can play with at once. Our goal at this stage is to instill in our pets pleasant associations from spending time together. Before you know it, the cat and kitten will be inseparable and will share everything with each other, even the tray!
- Smell trick.
The most important thing in the cat world is smells. The cat reacts poorly to a newcomer because he has a foreign, unfamiliar smell. By “replacing” odors, you can shorten the bedding-in period between a cat and a kitten. Here are some ways:
— Replace the beds. The bed retains the smell of the pet. By replacing the beds, you will mix the smells of the cat and kitten.
— Dry the kitten with a slightly damp towel, then wipe the cat with the same towel. This harmless deception will make the cat smell someone else's scent, and it will quickly adapt to it.
- We sterilize the cat.
With a cat everything is more or less clear. But how to make friends between a cat and a kitten? The methods are the same. However, before bringing a new pet into the house, it is better to neuter the cat. Uncastrated cats have a pronounced territorial instinct, and they are even less inclined to be friends than cats.
In conclusion, I would like to say that friendship is a matter of time. Sometimes pets do not accept each other for several months, and then become very sad even from a short separation!
Is it possible to independently define a territory for cats?
If you plan to purchase a new cat, it is better to prepare 1 room in advance where the old pet will not be able to enter for 2-3 days. A new animal brought in is immediately placed in an area closed to the domestic cat and provided with everything necessary (tray, drinking bowl, feeder and scratching post). This territory must be mastered by the new resident, and only then can you begin to introduce the cats to each other. It can take from several days to several weeks to settle into a new place, the period varies from person to person.
If it is not possible to give the newcomer his own room, the territory is divided, providing a place for the new resident away from the old pet:
- put a separate tray;
- install a scratching post and a bed no closer than 1-2 m from it;
- put up a feeder.
The distance to neighboring accessories should be maximum. An old cat will perceive any approach to them as an attack on its territory and will show aggression.
You need to be tough with the old tenant: considering the entire apartment to be hers, the old cat will show aggression towards the new cat in any case. The owner’s task is to make the animal understand that they will have to put up with the alien. Every aggressive attack of an old cat must be gently stopped, distracting the animal by communicating with the owner. It is important that the previous cat does not feel abandoned. You need to caress the newcomer in front of the old inhabitant, demonstrating to her your affection for him.
How to determine the moment of puberty
To begin with, we note that cats are very picky and will not easily let any cat near them.
A cat begins to demand a cat when it shows certain signs. Of course, the very first factor will be the release of colorless fluid from her vagina (estrus). The following factors will be :
- unusual behavior of the cat (may manifest itself in the cat's agitated behavior and raised pelvis when walking);
- inflammation of the genital organs;
- constant meowing;
- change in taste preferences.
© shutterstock
If a cat is in heat, this does not mean that she will want to let the cat near her. The female can be very demanding and will choose carefully. After all, the animal feels, and therefore the potential father will be chosen according to all the lady’s preferences and not always right away. Let's take a closer look at what to do if the cat won't let the cat in.
Simple ways to get rid of conflicts
There are scent glands on a cat's face: when the animal rubs its nose and head, it expresses friendliness. Therefore, the owner needs to use 2 clean mittens, stroking the pets from the muzzle to the ears. The mitten with the alien's scent should be moved to the territory of the old cat, and its pheromones should be moved to the territory of the new resident. This will allow cats to feel the “favorable” aromas of their neighbor and not feel anxiety towards him.
Other ways to smooth out conflicts include:
- when allocating a place for a feeder, you need to place it so that the neighbor can watch the second animal eat;
- cats need to be fed at the same time, using the same food;
- you need to play with both pets at once, using 2 toys for them (each should have their own);
- install shared climbing equipment, increasing the total area shared by the 2 cats.
These simple methods help relieve the anxiety that both cats experience. Eating and playing together helps make neighbors feel relaxed. Gradually, you need to move both feeders closer to each other, giving the cats the opportunity to get used to the reduction in distance. The same should happen when playing together: during the game, the fishing rods are brought closer to each other, and then again spread as far apart as possible. In the common territory, aggression must be resolutely suppressed.
Cat behavior
Lies on his back with his claws extended
© ihorga
It's hard to resist a cat lying on its back. I just want to scratch his tummy.
However, be vigilant, because in this position their main weapon is their claws are always ready.
Pay attention to whether the ears are pressed to the head and whether the pupils are dilated. These are signs that your cat is on guard and might scratch you.
Tail drooping
Your cat's tail is the best way to understand what is going on in your pet's soul. Its location can indicate whether your cat is happy or upset.
In general, the lower the tail, the more likely the cat is to be in a bad or hostile mood.
If the tail is hidden under the body, your pet definitely cannot feel you, so it is better to step aside.
The cat leaves when you enter the room
Every owner knows the nagging feeling when you enter a room and your pet leaves.
Don't be offended because your furry friend is not used to standing on ceremony.
Many people are familiar with the proverbial independence and desire to have their own space, but if your cat doesn't regularly show interest in interacting with you, then perhaps she doesn't have the same warm feelings for you.
Often hides
© pixabay
Cats, being natural predators, are good at hiding.
However, if your normally sociable cat suddenly starts disappearing and hiding in dark corners of the room, this is not a good sign.
Your pet may be uncomfortable in the environment she is in and is trying to find a comfort zone.
Frequent games of hide and seek may be a sign of stress, fear or illness that she is trying to hide.
If your cat is nocturnal and not very social, you shouldn't worry if you don't see her during the day.
In addition, if a cat is in a new home, then it hides in order to get comfortable in the new space.
Bites
Cat bites are one of the obvious signs that your cat is agitated. Cats know what their fangs can do, so they bite to demonstrate their superiority.
If a cat persistently bites, then it is trying to show who is boss.
This should not be confused with playful biting, which is not intended to break through your skin.
However, if your cat bites you or others aggressively, you should not take it lightly. Cat bites can cause serious infections and should be treated immediately.
Doesn't use his own toilet
Few cat owners will be indifferent to this fact. A pet that systematically relieves itself outside the litter box is trying to annoy you.
You may want to excuse it as an accident, but don't underestimate your pet's intelligence.
He's probably trying to tell you that he doesn't like where you put the litter box, or that it's difficult and inconvenient for him to get to it.
Hisses at you
© Kamchatka
Your cat's hissing may be scary, but it's another reminder that you have a predator in your home.
This sign has no dual meaning. If your cat hisses at you, she is definitely not being friendly.
Friendly with other people
If your cat likes to warm up to other people, but is rather cold towards you, perhaps she has a personal score with you.
The situation can be improved by being more involved with her and making sure that all her important needs are met.
Cats know their owner and they depend on your care. Does your pet have water, food and a clean litter box? Does he feel safe next to you? Do you play with him to keep him healthy and stimulate his curiosity?
Scratches your furniture
If your cat destroys your furniture without blinking an eye, start wondering if she hates you.
In fact, most cats mark their territory this way. And if she looks into your eyes at the same time, perhaps she has a very difficult character.
Twitches his tail
A cat's tail is similar to the eyebrows of humans. He conveys a whole range of emotions without uttering a sound.
If your cat's tail begins to twitch rapidly, she is probably sending you threats. It's best to back off or stop doing what's causing her anxiety.
