ADDING A NEW ANIMAL TO THE HOUSEHOLD...(Part 2)

INTEGRATION: CATS

Integrating an animal is important when you have an established household with other animals. There are specific things you should consider BEFORE you attempt to do this (Read Part 1: Considerations). The main concerns are: Can you really handle a new animal? and How will your animals react to the newcomer? These questions require some thought and will give you some good ideas as to what to expect. Depending on what type of animal household you have and what type of pet you are bringing in will determine how you handle things.

One good way to evaluate how your existing pets might react is to look at the interactions they have with others. Are they good with human visitors? How about animal visitors? Do they have friends that they visit and play with? Do other animals come over to visit them at your house? The more positive interactions your animals have, the more likely they will react positively to a new addition to the home.

If your animals react fearfully to new situations, people or things, then the chances are, the integration with a new animal will be difficult. Also, you will need to familiarize yourself with how to properly handle any flare-ups should they occur. If you have an older more dominant animal and you interfere with the introduction in the wrong way, you can actually escalate the aggression and make it worse. Remember, it is their home and their territory and you have brought in a stranger....at least tell them you are going to do it and give them praise for tolerating the newcomer. How would you feel if your significant other or spouse brought home a stranger to live with you without telling you? Would you be gracious about it?

TEN KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL INTRODUCTIONS

1. HAVE A NEUTRAL TERRITORY FOR INTRODUCTIONS
2. CONTROL & SUPERVISE INTRODUCTIONS
3. AGE DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE
4. WATCH YOUR REACTIONS!
5. BE ALERT TO NATURAL BEHAVIOR RULES
6. GRADUALLY INCREASE INTERACTIONS
7. TIME FACTOR FOR INTEGRATION
8. ALLOW FOR ADAPTATION
9. CHOOSE A BENEFICIAL TIME PERIOD FOR THE INTRODUCTION
10. HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS & GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT!

Let's look at a couple of situations with the same species. Part 3 of this series will look at mixing different species and get into brief examples of behavior and strategies of dealing with the animals successfully.

SAME SPECIES: CATS
Cats can be a bit more complicated than dogs. They can be more or less social, disappear for days, or they may exhibit more behavioral displays or regression into undesirable behavior. They can also be a bit easier since the controlled introductions can be handled within the home and without some of the challenges their canine counterparts have.

1. HAVE A NEUTRAL TERRITORY FOR INTRODUCTIONS
This is important with a cat. Your fabulous feline should have their territories limited to their yard or individual home. This protects them from spreading and acquiring parasites, propagating feral animals, and getting into territorial disputes or becoming a meal for the local predatory animals.

When you bring a newcomer into the house it would preferable to give the new cat their own room. This will include their own litterbox, scratch post, and other related items. The residents can then smell and visit through the door. The door can gradually be propped open or the established animals can be restrained in one room while the newcomer gets to come out and explore.

2. CONTROL & SUPERVISE INTRODUCTIONS
Again, this is important. Most animals will be highly vocal or will exhibit the tendency to want to flee. They should have an area where they feel secure, like the room you first placed them in. Some have suggested restraining an animal in a crate and letting the other approach. Although this is a safe way to approach the issue it may not be a good idea since it can make the cat either defensive or extremely fearful. If you use a crate for one, use it for both!

The best type of introduction is where the animals have space to move around. They should always be supervised but allowed to move around. This type of introduction can also be done through mesh or doors with an escape route for one or both of the animals. It should also be supervised by adults.

3. AGE DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Kittens may be more acceptable to older animals. Again, make sure you praise your established pet for curious and friendly behavior. Older cats may have had a past history that is less than good and could pose a threat to you current cats. Have separate accommodations for their bedding, and other kitten caboodles.

Younger animals will sometimes want to greet or play with the older established animals. The older animal will usually posture and may growl or hiss at the newcomer. Many times one or the other will push the limits to see where the boundaries are and the other will show them the limits with this nice display!

4. WATCH YOUR REACTIONS!
Praise you cats for curiosity and let them vocalize as much as you think is reasonable. When they get out of line give verbal corrections or use other distractions. Make sure you take time with your felines and give them special "extras" so they don't feel the newcomer will take away from their relationship with you.

5. BE ALERT TO NATURAL BEHAVIOR RULES
Cats will not necessarily be friends. Sometimes the very best that can be expected is that they will tolerate each other. If you have multiple cats, they may be more amiable to accepting a new friend. Other times some will accept the new cat and others won't.

Often, concerned owners will interfere incorrectly. Most times it is better for you to ignore the situation and let the cats work it out. It is okay to scold the pets if they continue to go beyond a reasonable limit. DO NOT rescue the other cat or pick it up and ostracize the established animal! Why? Because you will make the situation worse. If you do this you are interfering with the natural progression of their relationship and may have more serious repercussions to face later. Also, remember to praise your established animal for tolerating the changes. Praise what you want and ignore or verbally correct that which you don't.

Another important rule is to always remember to give the established animal proper recognition and praise. Make the whole experience pleasant with extra time and activities and that will save you all from a tremendous amount of trauma!

6. GRADUALLY INCREASE INTERACTIONS
Let animals work things out on their own. The more that you try to force situations the more resistance you will find. Again, you may want to allow for some private time for each of your animals. Feeding areas may or may not be an issue. Toilet areas, toys, treats, sleeping arrangements and daily schedules are things you will need to think about handling before introducing the new animal. This could be a very smooth transition if you do.

7. TIME FACTOR FOR INTEGRATION
Just as with the canine cousins, this can be immediate or take up to six months! Most cats will settle in pretty fast but they can be really verbal about it for the first few days, and sometimes will get an attitude for a few months! Allow for ample adjustment time. The more effort and research you put into this effort BEFORE you get a new animal the smoother and faster you can make the transition. Make sure you monitor the animals until they are fully integrated and not reacting defensively or aggressively to one another. Do not leave them together unattended until full integration is achieved.

8. ALLOW FOR ADAPTATION
This is important because sometimes animals will revert to old "bad" behavior problems due to stress. Allowing for minor changes in scheduling or temporary movement of things such as bedding, litterbox, or feeding locations may be necessary. Also, behavior problems related to litterbox avoidance or clawing may be noticed and will need compassionate corrections. Remember there is an intruder in the territory!

9. CHOOSE A BENEFICIAL TIME PERIOD FOR THE INTRODUCTION
Vacation time is one of the better times to acquire a new animal. It allows you to get to know the new animal and make the transition easier for all concerned. Weekends are good if you are not close to having vacation time. If you have others living in your home it is a benefit to temporarily see if you can have scheduled days off that overlap or are consecutive. If your days off are Saturdays and Sundays and your partner's are Mondays and Tuesday it can help a lot.

10. HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS & GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT!
This is probably the most important consideration when getting a new pet. It is important to recognize the needs of the animal as an individual and as a specific breed with traits toward certain behaviors. If you are unsure or think you have gotten in over your head, seek professional help from a behavior expert or even a trainer.