Close
dave matthews band - sarah mclachlan - maroon 5 - john mayer - u2 - no doubt - lenny kravitz - goo goo dolls - avril lavigne - alanis morissette - coldplay - matchbox twenty - sheryl crow - evanescence - seal - rem - melissa etheridge - kelly clarkson - jem - gavin degraw
Email To A Friend
Studio 1

The Daily Cat

Whole Health
Nutrition Now
Blissful Cat
Behavior Basics

Get The Scoop

Question

I travel quite a bit and want to get a second cat so mine will have company. How can I safely introduce a new kitten to my cat, especially as she tends to not get along well with other felines?

Answer

Cats aren't pack animals, so it's normal for your cat to immediately show hostility. Being territorial animals, cats also are driven to attack unfamiliar felines that enter their turf.

If you want to add a second cat, gradually introduce it to your pet over the course of a couple of weeks. During this period, house the newcomer in a separate "safe" room with food, water, a litter box and cozy hiding places. This will allow the kitten to get its bearings in its new home.

Let the cats get to know each other one sense at a time. First, they'll hear each other through the door. Next, take a sock and rub the new kitty. Deposit that sock in your resident cat's area. Rub your resident cat with the other sock and place that in the newcomer's room. This is how they'll start to become familiar with each other's scents. The next step is to allow them to switch rooms. Let each cat explore the other's area by itself.

Finally, introduce the cats to each other for brief periods while offering positive forms of distraction, such as treats or interactive toys. Try to keep the cats far apart at first. Make the sessions brief and always end them on a positive note. Bribery, with food treats, play, or catnip, is a great tool when introducing cats.

Submit Your Questions



Wedding
Find Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Party, Wedding Expo, and other wedding resources in the San Francisco area from PartyPOP.com


(c) MMVIII CBS Radio, All Rights Reserved.
Powered by StreamTheWorld and
Intertech Media, LLC
TM & (c) 2008 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO & EYE Logo TM & (c) 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license.
Home | Listen Live | Site Map | Contact Us | Terms of Use | EEO Report | Privacy Policy / Your California Privacy Rights | Music Submission Policy | Alice Everyday | Sarah & No Name | Alice Music | Alice Lounge | Events/Concerts | Alice Entertainment | Podcasts | Video | Looking Glass | Alice Contests | Alice People | Photo Gallery | iTunes Store | Alice Living | Community | Alice Jobs
Close