Cat Introductions

Proper introductions of a foster into a home with another resident animal is extremely important. These first introductions can lay the foundation for attitudes of fosters and resident pets to one another. Sometimes taking extra time and attention to "getting it right" is vital to long-term success.

CAT TO CAT INTRODUCTIONS

Preparing for arrival

A new foster cat will need its own room. This will allow for the foster cat time to decompress and acclimate to the new environment (including smells and sounds). One room will provide the cat a calm environment and reduce chances of the foster from escaping. Please be sure to pick a room that is NOT a favorite of your resident pet!


The room should include all the items your foster will need for the next few days/weeks:

  • Litter box

  • Water

  • Food

  • Toys, scratchers, and bedding

  • A safe "hiding" spot

These items will all be provided to you from GPG. Please be sure to use these new items for the foster, and not something that smells of your resident pets (this will help reduce stress!)


Arrival Day/Daily Living

The foster's room will be its safe space for as long as the cat needs this space. Some fosters may take days, others weeks. During this decompression time, the foster should be interacting with all persons in the home but not yet other pets.


Once the foster is showing signs of comfort, you can slowly begin to start introductions.

  1. Scent Swap - exchange one of the foster's bedding with that of the resident pet. Allow each time to explore this new smell intermingled with their own.

  2. If the foster and resident cat both appear interested in the smells (laying on the bedding is a good sign!) and not showing stress signs, allow each to explore the other's space. Briefly confine each as the other explores their space [be sure the confined pet is in a complete separate space that cannot be seen during exploration].

  3. If both are not showing stress signs, allow visual contact. This can be one cat crated while the other roams a room, through a glass door or window, or some other physical barrier for which the cats are unable to get through or over. *If using the crate method, be sure the crate includes a way for the cat within to "hide" if needed!

    • If there is any signs of negative behaviors, attempt to positively distract via lure toys or treat. Do not punish a cat for showing negative signs as it will likely only scare the cats more.

    • If the negative behaviors are not able to be redirected, separate the cats physically and visually immediately

  4. If all previous steps have gone well with no signs of stress, allow for physical interaction while supervised. Remove the physical barrier to allow the pets to roam freely.

    • The ultimate goal is that each is able to remain relaxed in the presence of one another; they do NOT have to physically interact.

    • If there are any signs of negativity, replace the barrier. Interactions should start off brief but as frequent as possible.

  5. If the cats are relaxed in each other presence and there have not been any signs of negativity, allow for physical interaction while unsupervise for short periods of time (5-10 min). This can be done frequently.

    • If friendly behaviors persist, the time periods can become longer.

    • At this stage, it is particularly important that each cat has its resources in separate locations to help prevent the cats from feeling in competition with one another.

Jackson Galaxy's "How to Introduce Two Cats"

YouTube Video

CAT TO DOG INTRODUCTIONS


When introducing your foster pet to the resident pet(s) it is important that the dog knows basic obedience. Ideally, wait at least two days until you've begun to bond and formed an understanding with your foster. You will need to have the dog under control when interacting with the cat so they can learn which behaviors are appropriate and which are not. Make sure to keep a leash attached to the dog during introductions with the cat(s) just in case you need to grab them quickly.

Take your time and create a stress-free environment. Once the foster is comfortable in the room, let the foster explore the rest of the house for short periods each day while the resident pet is not there. Once both the foster and resident pets have acclimated to the new environment, set up a baby gate &/or other physical barrier so that the cat/dog can see one another without the possibility of interacting. Since some dogs may be able to hop a gate, be sure to leash the dog during the interactions through the gate.

If both pets appear to be calm and not-stressed, keep the dog leashed & remove the barrier. Do not hold or force the cat to meet the dog. Let the cat explore and interact on their own time.

Watch them carefully, but don't act nervous - the dog can sense it. A dog that is showing overt aggression, such as uninterruptible stares, fixating, snarling, growling, baring teeth, etc., will probably never accept a cat. In that case, the cat and dog should be kept separated for the entire foster period or you can contact the Foster Dog Placement Coordinator to see if another foster home may be a good fit. Our Profile Coordinator will also need to be notified so they can add "no cats" to that dog's bio.

If, however, all is reasonably calm, walk the dog around the room on the leash. A dog is naturally a predatory animal. It is a natural instinct for the dog to want to chase a cat. Assume the dog will chase the cat. Do not let the dog intimidate the cat by barking or chasing. Use the lead and collar and give a quick tug each time the dog acts inappropriately to let him know these behaviors are unacceptable. On the other hand, if the cat bops the dog on the nose, that is a good sign and should not be discouraged. When they set up boundaries between themselves, they are beginning to establish a working relationship. Let them interact while the dog is on the leash for about 20 minutes then return the cat to a safe haven. Increase the amount of time they are together a little more during each visit - always supervised. It is important to be patient and encouraging. If you are relaxed, the animals will be more at ease. Use your best judgment as to when it is safe to allow supervised interactions without the leash. NEVER LEAVE DOGS AND CATS TOGETHER UNSUPERVISED!

Always be sure that the cat has an safe space to enter/exit without concern that the dog can follow. Even if interactions are going smoothly, it is ideal for a cat to have a "safe space" when it is needed.


Please know, that even the best laid out attempt at successful introductions does not guarantee a "happily ever after". Some animals simply do not want to live with another. It is important that you are able to recognize signs of discomfort, fear and stress in both the foster, as well as your resident pet. If at any point any the foster is not a good fit for your family needs, please reach out the foster team sooner rather than later. GPG can work to offer additional tips & tricks or even offer next steps to find a better match for your family needs!