Introducing New Pets to Resident Pets
Copyright
©1996, 1997 HomeVet
Factors
to Consider
There are many
factors to consider when introducing pets for the first
time. The species, breed, size, gender, age, individual
temperament and health status of each pet all contribute
to their initial encounter and eventual coexistence.
With so many factors to consider, it is virtually impossible
to predict how one pet will respond to another.
Not all dogs
and cats are destined to be antagonists. Not every sexually
intact (uncastrated) male will reject a new male in
its territory. If you already have a dog (or cat), adding
a second one of the opposite sex does not guarantee
they will get along.
Sometimes the
most unlikely pets become instant and life-long companions.
Sometimes the intolerance of one or both is immediate
and enduring. Often the initial period of conflict evolves
over time toward a minimum of mutual tolerance. Also,
once-stable relationships can degenerate for a variety
of reasons. Here are some general guidelines for introducing
a new pet to resident pets:
Take your time.
A gradual process of discovery and investigation is
best.
Spend extra "quality
time" alone with each pet during the transition period.
Reassure your resident pet and establish bonds with
the new pet.
Watch for impending
fights. A smaller pet is in more danger from injury
by a larger pet than the reverse. A dog attack is more
likely to severely injure a cat than a cat's attack
on a dog.
Give a frightened
animal an avenue of escape. Fights can result in intentional
or unintentional injury of anyone preventing retreat
or blocking the path to safety.
Consider your
own safety before interfering with aroused or fighting
animals. Proceed with caution but recognize that you
could be injured.
Also see How
Dogs Think .
Return
to menu.
Introducing
a New Cat to a Resident Cat
Cats that have
been exposed to other cats while growing up may adjust
more readily to a new housemate. The best way to avoid
conflict between cats is to carefully prepare for the
first encounter. The resident cat may adjust to the
newly introduced cat without confrontation if they are
first required to share your home but at different times
of day, and are not immediately introduced. For the
first few days, keep the new cat confined to one room.
Provide fresh food, water and litter daily. Make frequent
visits to spend time playing, feeding, petting and generally
interacting with the new cat during its isolation. Give
it time to adjust to this one location, where it is
guaranteed emotional and physical security. This will
also help you establish a positive relationship with
your new pet without distraction.
Meanwhile, your
resident cat will sense traces of the intruder on your
clothing and skin. The new pet's odor and sounds will
alert your resident cat to its presence. During this
period, spend extra time with your resident cat, engaging
in favorite activities in an effort to relieve any anxiety
and minimize tension.
Feeding tends
to relieve an animal's feelings of anxiety and may help
it adjust to the household changes. Place your resident
cat's food dish near the door to the room where the
new cat is kept confined. Gradually move the confined
cat's food dish closer to the inside of the door. Feed
them at about the same time so that they are separated
only by the closed door. Move to the next step when
neither cat exhibits any growling, hissing or spitting
when it senses the other is nearby.
Next, confine
your resident cat, with its own food, water and litter
box, to a favorite location. Your own bedroom may be
convenient; most resident cats feel comfortable there
because it is associated so strongly with you. Allow
your new cat to explore your home for brief periods.
Accompany it on its patrol to extend the comfort of
your presence beyond the room where it had been isolated.
veral times each
day, allow the new pet out of confinement for longer
and longer periods. When both cats appear comfortable
(the new one will assume positions of rest, for example,
or groom itself more than it actively explores your
home), proceed to the next step.
It may take several
weeks to reach this point. Even if it takes only a few
days, delay the next step for an additional week. Keep
separate litter boxes for now. With continued progress,
you may decide to gradually move one or both litter
boxes to another location. It is advisable to maintain
one litter box for each cat, even though each cat will
likely use both boxes.
Arrange to be
present when both cats roam freely throughout your home
for the first time. This should be planned to coincide
with regular mealtimes. Follow the new cat so that you
will be present when they first see each other. Some
hesitation and hissing are to be expected from either
or both individuals. Feed the cats in each other's presence,
placing their food dishes at a comfortable distance.
Wait only a few minutes after they have eaten to confine
the cats to their quarters until the next scheduled
mealtime. If either or both cats seem so disturbed that
they do not eat in the other's presence, remove the
food bowls and confine each to its own safe place.
Try again when
both cats are calm. If a second attempt fails, remove
their food and confine them again. Wait until each has
regained its composure to feed it. Try again the next
day. As things settle down, allow them to spend progress
ively longer periods together after they have eaten
each meal. Move their food dishes gradually closer to
each other at successive meals. If problems occur at
any time during the introduction process, return to
the preceding step as outlined above.
Be patient. Some
cats are less sociable toward others and less willing
to share their territory. If the cats are consistently
aggressive toward each other, it may be necessary to
sedate one or both cats. Psychoactive medication should
be prescribed by your veterinarian and used only if
necessary and for a short time. Both cats are likely
to experience some anxiety during the transition period,
though one cat will likely react more strongly than
the other. Unless there is a medical reason not to use
medication or one cat seems completely unbothered by
the other, both cats are likely to benefit from medication.
With time, most
cats learn to accept others in the household. Should
your cats be exceptions, however, three options remain:
-
Keep one
cat confined for part of the day, while the other
roams freely.
-
Keep one cat permanently
confined to one part of your home, while the other
is kept exclusively in the other. You can always
try another introduction later. Or
-
Find another home for the
new cat you had hoped to adopt.
Return
to menu.
Introducing
a New Dog to a Resident Dog
Dogs are best
introduced with both dogs restrained on a leash. If
you are confident of your resident dog's good nature
and good social behavior, you may not need the leash.
Unless the new dog is a young puppy or juvenile, it
is probably best to use a leash.
Ideally, introduce
the dogs on neutral territory that is unfamiliar to
both dogs or where neither one has been for long. If
this cannot be conveniently arranged, let them greet
on the outside perimeters of the resident dog's territory.
This may be in your neighborhood at a distance from
your home. In the heart of your dog's territory, such
as inside your home, conflicts are more likely to occur.
Though it is
difficult to predict how dogs will interact, most adult
dogs tolerate the clumsiness of puppies and juveniles.
Problems are more likely between 2 adult animals when
one or both have been unfriendly toward other dogs.
As much as possible,
place the new dog in a "down/stay" position in the resident
dog's presence. Teach the new dog to accept a submissive
position in deference to your resident dog, creating
a clear basis for their relationship. This should help
control their initial encounter so that they can gradually
work out their social status by subtle challenges and
with only minor conflict later.
If problems escalate,
separate the dogs and slowly reintroduce them under
careful supervision. In cases of extreme aggression
by either or both dogs toward the other, it is probably
not worthwhile to proceed.
Also see How
Dogs Think .
Return
to menu.
Introducing
a New Dog to a Resident Cat
Cats that have
had positive experience with dogs early in life are
more likely to welcome a new pet dog. Before introducing
a cat to a dog, it is important to determine if the
dog will harm the cat. Some adult dogs that have never
previously seen a cat show no aggression toward one.
If a dog's predatory instinct toward cats is strong,
however, it is likely to be displayed immediately and
with little advance warning. For this reason, restrain
the dog on a firmly held short leash and do not allow
the cat to come within the dog's biting range.
If you have adopted
an adult dog, if possible, ask the previous owner about
the dog's previous interactions with cats. If the dog
has had no previous contact with cats, proceed with
caution. If you have acquired your new dog from a local
shelter, ask the staff to test the dog's tolerance to
cats before you take it home.
Even if there
is no reason to suspect a problem, you should still
restrain your new dog when it meets your cat. Young
puppies (younger than 3 months) are unlikely to harm
an adult cat. Though there are always exceptions, young
animals are unlikely to turn against other animals when
they are raised together.
Also see How
Dogs Think .
Return
to menu.
Introducing
a New Cat to a Resident Dog
Most of the guidelines
suggested for introducing a cat to a dog apply here.
Proceed cautiously. As long as the dog is restrained
on a leash and the cat is free to escape, rely on the
dog's initial reaction to the cat. If your dog guards
its food or other objects, retrain it or take preventive
measures. A cat that approaches a dog guarding its food
may risk injury.
A common concern
among dog owners is that a cat will scratch their dog's
face and, in particular, its eyes. This concern may
be less common when an unfamiliar dog is introduced
to a resident cat.
A cat will rarely
attack a dog without provocation unless it is cornered
or threatened. Most dogs have a long muzzle and quick
reflexes that adequately protect their eyes from cats.
Your dog's eyes are more likely to be injured from flying
debris when its head protrudes from your car window.
Any traumatic corneal lacerations caused by a cat usually
heal well with veterinary care.
Also see How
Dogs Think.
Please note:
The information provided here is meant to supplement
that provided by your veterinarian. Nothing can replace
a complete history and physical examination performed
by your veterinarian. - Dr. Jeff
I greatly value your feedback. Please let me know what
you think of this site and what you would like to see
on it. drjeff@homevet.com
Return
to top of page.
Return
to Pet Care Medical Information
Last modified
at 10:17 PM on 1/5/98.
About Dr. Jeff | New Clients | Medical Information Center | Store | Forums
|
