If your cat is: | Look for a cat who is: |
A floor cat who perches under things | A high jumper who perches on shelves |
A snuggler who loves to be with people | A playful clown who focuses on other cats as well as people |
Elderly or sick | A cat’s cat; mature and calm; loving to other cats – no rambunctious kittens please |
Healthy but overweight | Rambunctious and jolly; a kitten of two months or more would do very nicely here |
Too energetic and running you ragged | Young and playful and jolly; a kitten would work but it should be more than five months old; a youngster between one and three years who would take your friend in paw and direct his energy would be ideal |
The cat you adore, but you are worried that he is left alone too much | A cat’s cat who enjoys the company of cats as much as, if not more than, the company of people |
So, now you have a new cat. Sometimes new cats just show up at the door, meowing piteously. Sometimes a friend's cat has a litter of kittens that are TOO CUTE to refuse. Or maybe you are actually searching for a new companion at the pet store or local animal shelter (a better choice).
However your new companion comes to you the first and most crucial step is to take the new cat to your own trusted vet for a complete check up. The cat you left at home should not be exposed to any potential parasites or cat illnesses.
While the new cat is at the vet, you will have time to prepare for introductions that are painless for everybody.
Before the new cat arrives:
Give your cat extra attention. Make sure (s)he feels loved and needed in your home. Lavish him with attention, lots of cuddling time, play time, voice and eye contact. Talk to him A LOT. He may not understand the words, but he will get the feelings you mean to convey..the feeling that he is loved and secure.
When your new kitty arrives, have someone else bring him in to the house. Have that person pet the cat all over, so the scent of the new cat is all over him. You need to ignore the new cat and give all your attention to the resident. His territoral instincts will be more subdued if he feels there is no threat to him as "top cat".
New kitty may feel a bit ignored, but it is for his own good in the long run.
It will also help if both cats have had a full meal and had thier claws clipped before being introduced to each other.
