Step 3 involves allowing the new cat to explore and utilise the rest of the house while the other existing cats are excluded . This gives the new cat the opportunity to learn all the hiding places and escape routes so , when all of the cats eventually meet , the new cat does not feel vulnerable in the house . This step should continue until the new cat is confidently using all available resources throughout the house , then progress to the final step .
STEP 4 : LIMITED FACE-TO-FACE INTRODUCTION
The cats need to see each other , but without any risk of carrying out an attack , so there should be no possibility of physical interaction . The best way to achieve this is to use a barrier , ideally something made from mesh or similar , to allow some scent to be exchanged – a securely fixed , part-open door is another option . The scent from Step 2 can also be rubbed over the barrier to encourage recognition . The cats should be allowed to play and feed progressively closer to the screen , as long as there is no aggression . Once all of the cats are showing no aggressive or fearful behaviour , the barrier can be removed and they can be allowed to meet face-to-face . It is important to emphasise that this should be done passively ; the cats should not be forced to interact . Initially , this introduction should be done under supervision , but this can be reduced as the cats ' confidence grows .
When is enough enough ?
Again , it is important to remember that the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses ( RCVS , n . d .) states that we should refer cases on as necessary . If there appears to be no resolution of the issues relating to the introduction of the new cat , and / or any fighting that occurs is severe and / or frequent , it is appropriate to seek help from a behaviourist . In this instance , it can be best to separate the cats , as continued fighting can increase the likelihood of further antagonism within the household as the cats begin to learn defensive reactions ( Atkinson , 2016b ) as well as the risk of injury .
Conclusion
Ultimately , the aim when introducing a new cat into an existing household is the creation of a group of cats that will coexist in the same environment . While we would like to see high levels of affiliative behaviour , this is by no means a given when beginning this process , and owners should be advised of this .
Cats demonstrate sociality in very different ways from humans and other domestic animals , meaning that the environment in which owners want them to live may not always be suitable . As veterinary professionals , we are often the first port of call for help and advice .
REFERENCES
Atkinson , T . ( 2016a ) Prevention of behaviour problems 1 : what advice can be given to kitten owners . Feline Focus . 2 , 273 – 280 .
Atkinson , T . ( 2016b ) Prevention of behaviour problems 3 : management of behaviour problems . Feline Focus . 2 , 333 – 341 .
Bradshaw , J . ( 2016 ) Sociality in cats : a comparative review . Journal of Veterinary Behaviour . 11 , 113 – 124 . Available from : https :// doi . org / 10.1016 / j . jveb . 2015.09.004 .
Heath , S . ( 2016 ) Intercat conflict . In : Rodan , I . & Heath , S . ( eds .) Feline Behavioural Health and Welfare . St . Louis , Elsevier , pp . 357 – 373 .
Horwitz , D . & Pike , A . ( 2016 ) Did you know ? Fun facts and figures to help select a new feline family member . In : Rodan , I . & Heath , S . ( eds .) Feline Behavioural Health and Welfare . St . Louis , Elsevier , p . 405 .
RCVS ( n . d .) Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses . Available from : https :// www . rcvs . org . uk / setting-standards / advice-and-guidance / code-ofprofessional-conduct-for-veterinary-nurses / [ Accessed 18 September 2022 ].
In some cases , it may be necessary to reduce the number of cats in a household if individuals are identified as not being suitable for the social groupings that have formed . Above all , as VNs , our constant endeavour should be to ensure the health and welfare of our patients , as we declared to the RCVS upon qualification . Sometimes this means we have to suggest less desirable options to owners , and remember that rehoming an individual , even if upsetting for the owner , is never a failure if it is in the interest of the individual ( Heath , 2016 ).
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