Socialising Your New Cat

The process of domestication facilitates social interaction of cats with other cats and humans and it is most important to do this within the first 3 months of the cats life. Kittens are highly social animals and spend most of their waking hours interacting with available animals and playing. Play with other kittens tends to peak in the third or fourth month after birth, with more solitary hunting and stalking play occuring through the later months. Kittens are vulnerable to harm because they like to find dark places to hide which makes them feel secure. This can sometimes result in fatal accidents if they are not watched carefully.

The cat is quite an independent, solitary species, but if trained at an early age it will adapt comfortably in groups. Playing with your kitten aids in the socialisation process, because it helps kittens learn how to respond to the actions of other members in the household including other animals. During this play, a kitten learns to mediate its aggressive responses. Social or interactive play eventually gives way to a more adult style of play that involves chasing, scooping, attacking, or batting around inanimate objects, though chasing and tackling of other animals may still occur.

Kittens are usually quite friendly and playful with other cats and their human family. When introducing a new cat to your home and you already own another cat, try to find one that has lived with cats before. It is recommended to introduce a cat that is different in age and sex to your resident cat. Introducing a kitten is the best option as it will appear less threatening to your cat. However, if you own an older cat it may be wise to look for another cat that is around the same age or is an adult and mellow.

There is a less chance of having cats fighting if they are on unfamiliar territory. So when you do bring your new cat home in a carrier, you should keep him confined to a single room for a few days. This will allow the new cat to gain familiarity with his new territory. It is important that your new cat feelsa sense of security within the new environment before being introduced to the resident cat.

The introduction can take place by allowing the two cats to get use to each others scent. This can be done by placing some of your resident cats bedding into the new cats room. Keep exchanging between both cats beds as they will become familiar and accept one anothers scent marking. The next stage is to let both cats sniff each other through a door or screen. If both cats appear to act none threatening towards one another than you may open the door or screen and allow them to meet.

If either cat retreats from each other followed with a noisy bout of hissing this should be ignored unless there is an actual life threatening fight. Your new cat will retreat again from its room when it has regained the confidence to venture out again. You should never force the cats to meet they will do it on their own terms. It is normal if your new cat remains in hiding as it will take some time to adjust to the new environment and the resident cat.

If after a few months either cat do not seem to get along by themselves, do not intervene to try to force them. Your resident cat simply might not be suited to have another cat in the house and you may need to consider separating them permanently. In conclusion, most cats by nature are not pack animals and may not always take to being social with other animals. However, if you want to socialise your cat, you must give it plenty of opportunity as a kitten to socialise and play.