11/18/2024
Let's take a moment to talk cat intros and why we do not recommend letting your cats "fight it out"🐈
People have asked: "Has there been introductions you have worked that that even you couldn't integrate?" The answer - YES! Even though we are behavior professionals, that does not mean we have the abilities to make every situation work. In cases that don't integrate we do not see this as a failure, but as a trying effort to do everything we possibly could to make it happen.
Lets start here:
Why do some cats get along well and some not at all?
Why do some integrate quickly and others seem to take forever?
Why can some be successful with "the feed on either side of the door" method - but others cant?
Why sometimes does it not work out?
Cats are a beautifully complex species. They thrive on maintaining a safe, well enriched and balanced environment with predictability in their routine. What happens when a new cat comes along? Well, it shuffles the cards - the cat then begins asking the questions:
Who are you?
Why are you here?
What happens next?
Are my resources safe?
Am I SAFE?
Understand that the newcomer too is asking:
Where am I?
Who are you (other cat)?
Where are the resources?
What happens next?
Am I SAFE?
The structure of an introduction is crucial for the cat to ask these questions and get their answers via their interactions. Your strategic set up and supervised time together is to help them with building this relationship from the ground up. Too often the process is rushed and cats hissing at the door are left to engage in conflict as a means of "figuring it out."
While some share that after an initial rough patch that their cats found balance together, others have seen the other side that "figuring it out" resulted in:
-serious injuries to one another (requiring stitches or more)
-injuries to humans (redirected or when splitting up fight)
-redirected behaviors to other pets in the home
-long term stress resulting in illness
-cats wanting to go outside/reluctance to come back
-house soiling OR spraying (causing extensive house damage)
-complete shut down/change in a cat(s) personality
(not eating, not grooming, hiding)
If you are saying WOW, we say these things NOT to scare you but to share that we have seen all of the above, These are not typical outcomes - but possible. It is hard when introductions don't go well but if aggression is apparent, we NEVER recommend letting your cats figure it out because of what could go wrong. Why would you want to risk it all? We also focus on explaining that many aggressive behaviors observed during interactions are not what they seem - most actually being FEAR based. You may want to correct/stop a cat who is hissing/growling at the opposing cat not realizing that your cat is not looking to "be alpha"- they are actually "AFRAID!"
It's best to take a slow but steady approach, increasing exposure to one another and waiting for your cats to tell you when they are ready for more. So how long is too long? What is considered too soon? What if they never warm up to one another? The truth is - There is no black and white answer OR timeline we can give you. Your unique situation is just that - your cats might take a week, a month or a year. And there is a small possibility, it may not work out at all.
If you are feeling discouraged, hang in there before making a quick decision. First, talk to your resources like your vet, the rescue/breeder you adopted from OR a behavior professional. They may have new insights, an out of the box idea OR just the support you need to decide your next steps. Above all, pay close attention to your cats - they can sometimes give you the answers you are looking for. Patience, time and positivity can go a long way!
In conclusion:
-Before getting another cat, take time to learn about the cat introduction process
-Take your time with introductions - don't rush the process
-Watch your cats behavior, they will tell you how it is going
-Seek help if things are not going well
-Stay positive, stay patient & think clearly when making future decisions
-Some cats will not coexist with others, despite best efforts
Sisters Luna & Mimi pictured together after a very slow successful months long re-introduction! Stay tuned, we have another big intro story coming you wont want to miss.
