Adopting abused cat and introduction to family cats?
Thursday, September 9th, 2010 at
4:59 pm
We recently adopted a new cat. We got from a local no kill pound. They found her at the side of the road on a very cold day. Since we brought home we’ve discovered that she is afraid of cat toys. She won’t play with string. Is there a way that we can her get over this fear?
Also our cat isn’t too happy about the new addition. How can we help cat get use to the new cat? We’re not pushing it. She has started getting closer to other but is still hissing. She has never tried to attack or bite the new cat.
Thanks in advace!
Filed under: Cat Toys
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Kudos for the rescue!!!
thats normal with cats, they will hiss & spit at each other for a while, they are trying to find the picking order, your new abused cat will most likely take the less dominant position, this will go on for a while though
one will say "I am the boss" and the other will say okay, or noe let’s wrestle for it
love and attention, especially attention to your cat so they know he/she is not being replaced
bless you for helping the little orphan
we have had four rescues of our own, and they know
they are so loving and they know you saved them
When you first bring the new cat home
The first impression the new cat makes with the resident cat(s) is critical. If the cats display aggression, this may set the mood for their future relationship. For this reason, it is best to separate the cats initially. The cats should be able to smell and hear, but not see or touch, each other. Each cat should have his or her own food and water bowls, litter box, scratching post, bed, etc. Feed the cats near the door that separates them so they learn that coming together, even though they can’t yet see each other, results in a pleasant experience. Feed extra special treats near the door as well—tuna, salmon, cheese, chicken, liver, etc. After 2-3 days, “rotate” the cats so that they can investigate each other’s smell. This also allows the new cat to explore a different section of the home. Some behaviorists even suggest rubbing the cats with the same towel to intermix their scents. After a few more days, play with the cats near the door. In particular, encourage the cats to paw at a toy under the door. Eventually the cats may play “paws” under the door with each other.
After a week or so, assuming you see no signs of aggression at the door (no hissing, growling, etc.), replace the door with a temporary screen door so the cats are able to see each other. Continue to encourage feeding, eating treats, and playing near the door. Start these activities a few feet away from the door and, over a few days, gradually move closer.
Together at last
The next stage is to permit the cats to spend time together. Carefully supervise these interactions. It is good to bring the cats together when they are likely to be relatively calm, such as after a meal or a strenuous play session. Keep a squirt bottle handy in case the cats begin to fight. As the cats become more familiar with each other, allow for longer periods of time together. If one cat spends most of his time hiding, or if one cat is continually harassing and pursuing the other, you should seek the assistance of a certified animal behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist.
Be sure to consider the layout of your home. Make sure there are plenty of hiding spots for your cats. Some cats like to sit up high, on shelves and on kitty condo perches. Frightened cats tend to hide under and behind things, so make sure there are hiding places at floor level as well. Place food, water, and litter boxes out in the open so the cats do not feel trapped when accessing these resources. Make sure you have a litter box for each cat and at least one extra.