Mar 15, 2008

Take it slow when new cat joins family

Special to Daily News

My husband and I recently found a stray cat. In the process of looking for his owners and discovering he was a neighborhood cat we became attached and decided to become Taylor's guardians. The decision to keep him wasn't hard, though our resident pets weren't thrilled by a newcomer. If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are some tips to help your new cat bond with your two-legged and four-legged family members:



_ First, set up a safe haven in a quiet room, containing a litter box (which gets changed daily), a hiding place, food and water, a scratching post as well as toys.



_ Let her warm up to you at her own pace. Periodically offer company and affection, but respect the cat's need to be alone if she hides from you. Never pull her from her hiding place, which will cause her stress and set back the bonding process. Allow her to come to you and at first keep your bonding sessions limited to a few minutes of gentle petting. Once she feels comfortable with this, you can extend the sessions and work up to petting her with a grooming tool.

_ To introduce a new cat to resident cats, separate cats for the first few days. Allow them to sniff each other through the door of their safe haven. Gradual, supervised introductions will reduce the risk of injury to either animal and help foster harmony within your home. Expect an adjustment period of weeks, or even months. Hissing, growling, chasing are normal and necessary. Do not expect them to be friends right away.

_ To introduce a new cat to resident dogs, have your dog under control, either by leash or by voice (or both). Never force a cat to get close to a dog. Let them approach on their own terms, and provide an escape route for the cat. Praise the dog's gentle behavior, and verbally correct him if he lunges, barks, etc.



_ Not sure if you should keep your new cat indoors or outdoors? Outdoor cats have a lifespan of one-quarter that of indoor cats.