Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Instead of having me write up a list of tips for new cat owners, I thought it would be fun if we made this a group effort. I'll start with one tip. Please add your own.

Here goes:

1. When bringing home a new cat, keep it isolated from your resident cat. Designate a small room just for the new cat. S/he'll have to be quarantined from your resident cat for a little while anyway. Make sure you have all the necessary suppllies so they don't have to share.
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PHCurious
Cat Chat Host

Definitely a vet check - also a blood test to determine if the cat is a carrier of anything before you expose your own cats to the newcomer!
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Take a towel and rub all over the resident cat and also a towel and rub all over the new cat -- then switch towels. Let each cat get used to the different cat smells!

Portia
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Yippie Zippie We Luffs You All

Ash, Zade and Wittul Antares

>>Take a towel and rub all over the resident cat and also a towel and rub all over the new cat -- then switch towels. Let each cat get used to the different cat smells!
>>

To expand on this one---Also, rub each cat with a piece of your clothing so they will smell YOU on each other as well.

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PHCurious
Cat Chat Host

Things to do when bringing home a new cat??
Bring home TWO! ::::ducking::::
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Munchie

Make sure and get some of the food the new kitty is used to, and use it to gradually change to the diet you use.
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Mia Liger Fluffy Banzai Smudge Hazy
& Midas ~ Golden Retriever and honorary cat

"An add-a-tip Checklist"...I like this idea!

Here's the Cat Faeries website on Feliway:

Click Here: Feliway for Calming your Cat

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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

I kiss my cats on the lips!

And I have to add a big ol'.....Have a good scratching post ready for use BEFORE you bring the kitty home. Having one on hand right when the kitty arrives is better than buying one later after kitty has already gone and picked something else to scratch on...

Lots of good suggestions here!

Another necessary item to have on hand before bringing home a new kitty is a cat carrier. First of all, you'll need one to drive your new cat home. But carriers are also a great tool for introducing two cats to each other. After they've sniffed each other under the door from different rooms for a few days, put one cat in the carrier and let the other see, hear, and smell the new kitty. The carrier provides protection in case there are any attacks initially. The next day, switch the cats so the one who was in the carrier the day before is now out and vice versa. Hold these protected "meetings" for approximately a half hour, modified shorter or longer depending on their reaction. Don't leave any cat in a carrier for too long though. They need access to food, litter box, scratching post, etc.
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PHCurious
Cat Chat Host

try not to play favorites, be sure both cats get enuff attenshun.
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Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Shorty