ADDING A NEW ANIMAL TO THE HOUSEHOLD...(Part 3)

INTEGRATION: MIXED SPECIES

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, Part 2: Integration of Same Species DOG OR CAT).

BRIEF REVIEW OF PART TWO:
The main concerns about bringing another animal into the home are: Can you really handle a new animal? and How will your animals will 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 can best 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, or have not gotten on well with other animals, 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?

Let's look at a couple of situations with different species and then get into examples of behavior and strategies of dealing with the animals successfully.

MIXED SPECIES: DOGS & CATS!
This is a whole new bag of tricks! Can you really mix dogs and cats? YES! It takes understanding, persistence and attention to details. Here is a quick list of the keys to successful introductions with animals. (Read the details in PART 2: DOGS & CATS) Since they were already discussed let's get into some specific concerns!

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!

The easiest way to describe introductions and the challenges you will face with mixing species is to list them by topic. The biggest thing you can do to be successful is to PRE-PLAN how you will do things and what the approach will be if some type of overt aggression begins.

Pre-planning means to take enough time in the introductions to insure success. You should never force the animals to do something they are not ready for. It will take as long as it will take. Sometimes this will be a few days, sometimes weeks, sometimes months! By forcing things or by not planning how you will do the introductions, you can ruin the chances of a good working relationship between your animals. BE PATIENT!

Handling aggression should be done BEFORE it escalates into action. If you watch your animals ears, eyes, tails, body posture and body tension, you will be able to tell serious threats from display. If you have any doubts, then separate them and take no risks.

Two ways of handling escalating problems are to use something called "distraction" or a barrier or confinement. Since descriptions would be too complicated in this article, these topics will be handled in another section devoted to proper reprimands and rewards.

BEHAVIOR ON INTRODUCTION

DOGS
Typical reactions are to chase, bark, paw or drool! Make sure you are careful and have a leash or some other form of restraint when introducing a new cat. Basic control learned in training classes, such as a "down, stay" can be an asset here.

CATS
Typical responses will be to attack, stalk, ambush, glare and make lots of horrible noises and contortions to communicate their displeasure. Some will just run off and hide. AREAS OF CAUTION

FEEDING AREAS & BOWLS
TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOR
MARKING OR TOILETING
SOCIAL TIME
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
SCRATCH POST & TOYS
COMPETITION

FEEDING AREAS & BOWLS

Dogs who are solitary, or who have not been trained about food bowl etiquette, can be possessive or aggressive to other animals or their owners over food. If you suspect this may be the case you will want to make sure the food and water bowls for the dog are kept in a place where a wondering kitten or cat will not stumble into danger.

Cats should have their own food bowls that are kept up high out of reach or in a separate room or closet with a cat door or limited access. This is usually a beneficial idea since dogs will often gorge on accessible cat food. Yummmm!

TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOR
Dogs or cats will sometimes mark with urine but this is more of a situation found when introducing other new animals of the same species. There is an encroachment on their territory with new animals and you may see different types of activity in toileting habits, sleeping areas, or attention grabbing.

MARKING OR TOILETING
Dogs should have a clearly defined toileting area that is kept clean. Most house dogs will not have problems with this. If you walk your dog and add another pooch, give them each some individual time. Make sure you take out the dominant dog or established dog out first. You can tandem walk with friend and take both animals and then switch off. If you don't regularly walk your dog, this is a good strategy to create a positive link to the new pet!

Cats will usually want their own litterbox. Since many dogs like to indulge in "Almond Roca" it is a good idea to have the box isolated. Many households will use a laundry room or a bathroom cabinet or spare closet for a kitty room. Cat doors or special rigging can create a safe haven for them.

SOCIAL TIME
Pets should also have their regular routine for feeding and walking or playing when a new animal arrives. It is best to let animals have their individual attention always! Until things are more firmly integrated this is especially important.

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
Sleeping arrangements need to be clearly defined, it is actually better that each pet have their own bed to avoid conflict and create harmony. Crates or individual rooms can be used to separate animals while they are first being introduced.

SCRATCH POST & TOYS
Initially more scratch posts or cardboard scratchboxes would be a good idea since most cats will claw to mark territory. Place these near where the new animal is being kept, fed, and favorite areas of your feline friends. Toys and toy boxes may also need to be in a couple of places while integration takes place. If dogs or cats get possessive, keep the items they get possessive over stored away and monitor their use closely.

COMPETITION
This is where everyone is fighting for your attention, or pushing in while you are interacting with another pet. This behavior is not acceptable and should not be rewarded with attention or play. Group behavior and interactions will be much better if you give each pet their own time and do not allow the others to interfere. Group interactions are okay if you instigate them and they don't get out of hand.

OTHER There are many other tidbits and points they are not included here because of the detail involved. Remember to not leave the animals alone unattended until they are fully integrated. It is always better to be more cautious than not. When in doubt always consult with a professional. Just remember that you can have a happy multi-animal household it just takes understanding, patience, persistence, and planning!