Companion For Your Cat

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 22:49

The tempting pictures of friendship between a dog and a cat or two cats that you happen to see in the homes of your friends and acquaintances can tempt you to make a companion for your cat.

But first, you must think a hundred times. First, you need to decide if you can find the extra time, effort, and money to support a second animal. Secondly, you should consider whether your cat needs a companion or if she prefers to be the "only child" in the house. Cats are very jealous of "their" territory and, perhaps, your cat will not want to share it with an alien. You should also consider the cat's temperament. If she is shy, afraid of guests, hides when they arrive, the appearance of an unfamiliar dog or cat can put her into a state of severe stress. But if these problems are not before you, you still need to decide who to choose as a companion.

Let's say it's a dog. If you are settling on a dog, then it is best to take a puppy. The puppy has no bad experience of communicating with cats, and it is easier for you to control contacts between new acquaintances. But he himself gives great trouble to the owners of the house. In addition, if he does not suit your cat in terms of age and temperament, he can annoy her and even injure her. The food should take place gradually, preferably in several sessions … In the meeting room, the cat should have several places to run and hide in in case of danger. At the same time, your presence is obligatory, calm and relaxation is required from you, since your state is transmitted to animals. Both should be rewarded for good behavior. Take special care of the dog's nose: the cat can hit it three times before the puppy reacts. If you do not have time and desire to tinker with a puppy, take an adult dog, preferably one that lived with cats before. Any dog will do for a cat that is allowed outside. At the first meeting and a few days later, the dog should be on a leash during contact, and the cat should be able to run away or hide. Do not interfere with their relationship and do not rush things. The cat food bowl and litter box should be out of reach of the dog. The menu for a cat and a dog should be different: they have different needs. And of course, a preliminary check of the dog by a veterinarian is required.

What if it's a rabbit? First, you should get to know more about rabbits in general, their habits, language. Keeping your rabbit in a cage to keep it from getting dirty in the house will give your cat little joy from such a companion. On the other hand, without proper supervision and adjustment of the rabbit's behavior, it will chew on your things. Bypassing these obstacles can make it very pleasant to have a rabbit in your home. The two animals get along well, lick each other, play, and in games the rabbit usually chases the cat. At the first meeting, the rabbit should be in a cage, future friends should get used to each other. Only after a week can the cage door be opened, and only after two weeks can they be left together alone unattended. Cat bites can be very dangerous for a rabbit. It is also important that the rabbit is medium-sized or large: a cat can treat a small one like a prey.

Birds and mice. For the same reason, it is highly discouraged to combine a cat with birds, mice and hamsters, although it happens that they get along happily. Sitting in a cage, inaccessible to a predatory cat, these small animals upset the cat, and if they accidentally slip out of the cage, the cat can catch and kill them. It happens that the murka throws a cage with birds on the floor, and they die.

Companion cats. It is best to choose a second cat that has previously lived with other cats. It is better if your cats differ in age and sex, then they will not quarrel. Cats of opposite sex must be spayed. Probably, your cat is more willing to accept a kitten than an adult cat. But if she is already a solid matron, a noisy and restless kitten will annoy her, a good-natured adult cat is more suitable for her. Cats should be similar in temperament. The second cat should first be placed in a room separate from the hostess cat, provided with everything you need: food, water, toilet, bed and toys. It will take a few days for the new cat to master its new territory and get used to you. Accustom her to your routines and reward her for good behavior. The cats then need to get used to each other's smells. To do this, you can swap some of their things and let them sniff and peer at each other through the door. The first meeting is usually accompanied by hiss and grunts, after which everyone retreats to themselves. After a while, you should try to meet again.

Necessary warnings:

- do not force the acquaintance, they will meet themselves when they are ready for it;

- do not shower the newcomer with signs of your attention in the presence of the housewife until he becomes an equal member of the family;

- do not be alarmed if a beginner hides from everyone for several days. For cats, this is a common way of getting used to new situations.

Very often, the relationship is initially hostile, but do not try to interfere, give them the opportunity to agree on their own. They will get along faster if you do not take the side of one of them and increase the tension:

- both cats should be healthy at the first contact, preferably vaccinated;

- For a beginner, get a couple of new toilet cans, as cats usually consider them their personal property;

- show more attention and affection to your first cat so that he does not feel slighted and abandoned, he must be confident in you and in the right to his territory.

Based on materials from "Cat Fancy" magazine, Galina Starostina