Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/1/2008

Question
Dear
We are a 40 years old couple, Attilio and me, and we live with Zulu, a male 2 years old neutered cornish who sleeps upon me or between my legs. Its our baby. We also live with a she english bull dog and a she bull mastiff. On two days we will going to look for Lilu, a she cornish rex, in the idea of breeding cornish ( so, no neutered baby girl). I am afraid of Zulu can suffer with this new one cat at home! I am afraid he can feel jealous or abandoned...Can you make me any advise? thanks a lot and have a really nice time.
Gabriela

Answer
Gabriela,

As I stated in my profile I do not answer questions that are specific to predigreed cats or breeding. You should ask your questions about that to one of our experts in 'breeding and showing'. They are knowledgabe about whether any behavior is breed-specfic or what is normal behavior between a breeding pair. I do not want to give you any incorrect information.

BUT as far as introducing the cats and dogs, you need to follow the correct introduction process in order not to have behavior problems, such as you mentioned (jealousy, abandonment, etc.). You can't rush it, it needs to be done slowly and correctly. It normally takes about two weeks or more.

When you get a new cat it needs to be kept in one room with food, water, and litter for a few days. That gives the cat a chance to get to know you, gain confidence and trust, and get acclimated to having a new home. Then you let it explore the home gradually, one room at the time. It is too overwhelming to have a whole big house at one time to be in. You can put the cat in a carrier  for short periods of time in a room that has the most traffic so it can get used to the normal people movements in the house and voices. Then as the cat is comfortable with the expanded area, let it go where it wants but still have the safety of it's 'safe' room to run back into. You should NOT add the introduction to the resident cat until the new cat feels secure and comfortable with you and the new home. Then you start the getting acquainted process. Otherwise there are too many new and confusing things going on, and too much to learn and accept all at once.

I am attaching a couple of links on how to go about the introduction process: (copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintro...

Once they can be together without fighting feed both cats yummy cat treats (like tuna or pieces of raw steak) TOGETHER. That is so the cats will associate each other with something pleasant.

Also getting a pet laser light (at PetSmart, etc.) is great for interaction between the two cats. They both can chase the 'little red bug' on the floor, ceilings, and walls, and they tend to forget about the other cat as they focus on the 'bug' which helps them get used to each other.

Follow the above guidelines when introducing the new cat to your resident dogs.  Make sure they are on a leash at first and don't EVER let them chase the cat. Put something the dogs lay on in or near her bed, switching the scents of the different dogs, so she can get used to the dogs' smell. Then when she is near them they will be a familiar smell.

Until she accepts and trusts them, only let her be around the dogs under supervision to make sure she doesn't have any negative experiences with them that could jade her for life. And keep her claws trimmed!

I am including a link to an articles about cat and dog introductions. Some parts may not apply but you may find some of the information helpful. (Copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar):

http://www.thedogman.net/DogmanArticlesText.asp?ID=366

I hope this helps.

Tabbi