A cat with other pets

Say you already have other pets but have always wanted a cat too. So you get one. Great! The other animals and the cat will of course need time to get used to each other. Guide this process yourself.

How does the introduction go?

In some cases cats and other pets become the best of friends and are inseparable. That is very touching to see and wonderful to experience. Your existing pets suddenly have a new animal in their territory. Initially this triggers the urge to defend. The same applies in reverse. Your new cat enters a completely unfamiliar environment where she might suddenly encounter a dog, for example. There is a good chance she will not feel at ease.

In other cases, such as with rodents or birds, bringing in a cat means introducing a natural enemy for those animals. Keep a close eye on things, especially during the first few weeks.

My new cat and the dog

How your dog will react to a new cat is hard to predict. Remember that a new animal is entering his familiar environment. Defence would be a logical reaction, but some dogs actually see a cat as a fun playmate. A first, smooth introduction is very important:

• Let your cat walk through the house alone first so she can get used to the scents.
• Introduce your dog and cat on neutral ground — not near the bed or food bowls.
• Wait until everyone is calm enough for the first meeting.
• Stroke your dog and cat alternately without washing your hands; this lets their scents mix.
• Do not force your cat or dog to stay if one of them walks away.
• Give your cat and dog a treat at the same time during the meeting. They will then associate the encounter with a positive experience.
• Distract both animals with a sound or a toy if one of them becomes agitated.
• Make sure both animals have an escape route if they want to move away from each other.

My new cat and the other pets

Do you have rodents, fish or birds? Then safety is the priority. Cats have a hunting instinct and often see other small pets as prey. The best approach is not to keep your cat and these animals in the same room. If that is not an option, make sure the smaller animals are placed somewhere the cat cannot reach. This is especially true for rodents. Living constantly near a natural predator is very stressful for them.