Introducing Another Cat into Your Home

Acclimating a New Cat in your Home:

Tips for introducing another cat into a home with other cat(s)

Adding another cat to your home may not be the Happy Homecoming you envisioned.  Cats already in the home, even if for a short time, may have objections to their new roommate.  Some felines may feel some “child jealousy” and fear being left out.  Others may be insecure about sharing space and “parental” love with another. These feelings may even turn your indoor cat a bit crazy. Ragging sessions with hissing, scratching, and chasing is normal, but you need to take charge before it’s becomes “survival of the fittest”. Getting your cats to sign a peace treaty can take time, patience and tactfulness on your side. It might take up to several weeks before your cats become comfortable with each other. Taking it slow is not a bad idea, but here are a few steps to pave the way  for multi-cat co-habitation:

·        Keep the new cat in a safe in a separate room

     Initial separation may bring a final happy union. Give your new cat a safe, secured, and confined room to stay in. The new cat needs this isolation to get adjusted to their new atmosphere. Make sure you keep a litter box, food, water, toys, and a scratching post in the room. It’s really very tempting to watch the immediate interactions between the two cats, but hold on! Isolate the new cat for a period of one week.  During this time your new cat may experience some stress symptoms such as eye or nose discharge or diarrhea.  This is normal.  But, if conditions such as inappropriate elimination occur, consult your vet immediately.

·        Introduce your cats to each other's smell

     Smells are a significant part of a cat’s life.  Felines determine emotions, physical condition and hierarchy based on smell.    During the one week isolation of the new cat, start an introduction through smell by sharing the same grooming brush on your cats.  You can also rub a towel over the new cat and have your existing cat smell it.  Consider offering the cats a special treat with the brush or towel so that they can associate each other’s smell with something positive.

·        Offer treats from the other side of the door.    

     Offering treats under the door from the other side also introduces a positive element to an uncertain situation.  Both cats will be receive reassurance that that something good lies on the other side of the barrier between them.

·        Introduce Cats in a Safe Manner

    Your cats first meeting should be through a controlled introduction via a cat carrier.  You may need to repeat this exercise a few times to ensure that your cats are safe and that there are no displays of aggressive behavior.  If there are no acts of aggression, take turns between which cat is in the carrier and which is out.  Keep the personality of your cats in mind, and  socialize the cats at a pace which is suitable for both. 

·        Try again if the first trial was a failure

     Stability might come at the cost of several trials. If negative interaction persists, then you may need to keep the new cat back into its safe room and start the introduction process again.  Such reactions are normal and all you need to do this time is to allow more time at each step. 

Don’t worry if you are not able to establish true love between your cats. You can at least work to develop a peaceful chemistry by allowing each other some space and respecting each other’s freedom.

Cats might appear to be creatures who love to be on their own. That’s true, but only partially. Humans, just like cats require personal time even though we love to spend quality time with our near and dear ones.  Cats crave human love and attention. Spend time with them, play with them, give them fresh food and water daily, and keep their litter box clean (with ScoopFree self-cleaning litter boxes, of course!). It only takes your time and interest to keep your cats happy. Whether your cats can share a true bond or not you will always be showered with their love and affection.

Holiday Foods Your Cat or Dog Should Never Eat

Part II - Keeping your Pet Safe during the Holidays 

You spent some time considering how to keep potentially dangerous holiday decorations out of the reach of your cat and dog.  Now let’s talk about the main event of any holiday - the food!  November and December are prime feast days in American culture.  While you and your family can indulge in the foods you crave and love, dogs and cats can be seriously sickened if the ingest certain "people foods".

Yummy Delights as Tummy Troublers 

Thinking of putting that wrapped box of chocolate under the tree?  How about sweets in a stocking?  Holidays pamper to our taste buds with little boxes of love! Baked foods and chocolates add sweetness in relationships and to our moods as well!  But accept this bitter truth- you cannot afford to share this sweetness with your pampered pets. Consumption of these items has been found to be associated with seizure, heart arrhythmia, and gastrointestinal upset. It’s wise to be “cruel” and “indifferent” when you feel the urge in your pet’s eyes as you take a scoop of a chocolate soufflé.   You should also be practical when placing sweets under the tree or in stockings.  Just because it is wrapped doesn’t mean it is hidden.  Your cats and dogs can smell right through that pretty paper. 

Unfortunately, nature does not permit dogs or cats to enjoy the “human sweetness”.   Cats and dogs cannot consume these holiday goodies:

• Chocolate
• Raisens
• Grapes
• Currants
• Milk & dairy products (including ice cream)
• Yeast Dough
• Macadamia Nuts
• Artificial Sweeteners

Spicy meats may be your family’s favorite holiday hor dourves (think Buffalo wings and salamis) but they are simply not meant to be used snacks for the cat or dog.  These items can cause pancreatitis and certainly, an expensive trip to the Vet’s office.  Also, don’t feed your pets anything meats steeped in hot sauces, garlic or onions all of these foods are toxic. 

Last, but not least, keep the holiday cheer for you and your guests.  Cats and dogs should never be given alcohol – beer, champagne, wine or mixed drinks.   Giving a pet alcohol can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, breathing issues and even seizers. 

If your pet ingests any of these items, call your Veterinarian immediately. 

Holiday Decorations Could Be Harmful to your Pet

(this part I of our series about keep your Pets safe this holiday season)

Keeping Pets Safe during the Holiday Season

The holidays are here and your attention is probably on the perfects gifts, the feast to come, decorating and travel.   Sometimes the last thing on your mind is the family cat and dog.   While pets may bring joy to your playful holiday moments, they also serve as the reason why you should be super cautious when the holiday festivities are in full swing.  

Decorations as “Destroyers”

Bright and shiny decorations are perfect lures for your kids and pets alike. Sparkling holiday lights, fluffy bows, wrapped gifts, and in fact, the newness of celebrations is just enough to tickle the curious spirit of your pets.   
When decorating your home this holiday remember:

o   Cats tend to view tinsel, garland, and string-like objects as their toys and such perceptions can really prove to be hazardous for their health. Ingestion of these objects can case damage to the gastrointestinal tract and some serious cases may demand surgical intervention.  Glass decorations may fall and break and your pets may fall victim to the sharp surfaces.   

o   Lights that twinkle and bring ecstasy to your evening indoors may pose a threat to your pooch or frisky. The innumerable cords and the plugs may become your pets’ favorite chew items and incidences of shocks and burns may spoil your celebration.

o   Candles… big or small… white or colored, twisted or plain… Santas or fairies light up your moods with their natural warmth, but may be associated with a fire threat when knocked over. 

o   Dried flower parts or essential oils found in potpourri may act as a poison to your pets and this holds particularly true for cats. Your feline may get affected with fever, difficulty breathing, and tremor and may sustain chemical burns in the mouth.

o   Live Christmas trees add life to your festive moods, but they may not be friendly to your pets as well! Water at the base of Christmas trees may be contaminated with fertilizers or toxins and may pose a risk to the wellbeing of your pets.

o   Plants form an integral part of celebration as we feel a lively presence with rejuvenating aroma. Unfortunately, some of the holiday season plants are not pet-friendly.  Poinsettias, holly mistletoe, lilies, and ivy, can be  poisonous to both cats and dogs.   

Be mindful of these dangers when placing these items in your home.  Try "baby-proofing" techniques that keep unsafe items in areas where your pets cannot get to them or where holiday decorations can be tightly secured.   In the instance of plants, trees and flowers, try fake silks instead.  Not only are they safer for your furry companions, you can reuse them year after year. 

You can also use distraction as a means to keep your pet safe too.  Try keeping your pet's mind off all the new shiny, smelly holiday decorations by getting them a new toy or play thing.  Keeping their mind busy with a new toy or exhausted from play, will lesson the chance that they go looking for trouble elsewhere.  We recommend FroliCat toys, our innovative pet toys designed to engage your pet in fun exercise and enthusiastic play. 

A Happy ScoopFree Customer!

Check out this ScoopFree Testimonial that we received from one of our loyal customers, M. Cummings! Thank you!

"I knew the litter box was going to be good when I bought it from what it said on the box, but I had no idea it was going to as great as it is. My kitten, Patches and I love it. I only change the tray once a month and that is not because of smell. This thing is amazing. Because of my recommendation three of my friends and one family member have also purchased one. It is definitely worth spending a little more. This litter box is absolutely awesome!!"

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