#Cats body language windows#
A familiar phrase claims that the eyes are the windows to the soul, but in cats, it’s their tail position that provides the greatest insight into what a cat is feeling.Ĭats use their tail movements, along with their eyes, ears, and body postures, to communicate.
Visit her on Facebook at Patience for Cats. Check out her humorous YouTube videoįor Cats channel. Sheīachelor’s in Biology, a Diploma of Feline Behavior Science Technology, and isĪ certified veterinary assistant. You may also enjoy my blog on harness training cats.įor Cats LLC, a cat behavior business based in Pittsburgh, PA. To learn more read my blog Your Bad Mood Affects Your Cat. Your mood during introductions can have a profound effect on the cats. Rushed introductions are an all-to-common mistake. Since it is a long, slow process to un-do incorrect introductions, consider setting up an appointment with me to ensure that you move through these steps correctly. You must be able to read cats’ body language well to safely introduce a new cat. Keep in mind that some cats will never get along, and some will never be friends or share litter boxes, even after years together. Do not leave your new cat alone with the resident cat unless you are sure it is safe. If there is any stress then go back to using the toddler gate. Then gradually have the gate removed completely. Gradually increase the time they are allowed to interact. If there is no staring or tail lashing, and both cats turned when cued, still end the session in minute or so. Or, to block a cat if he rushes towards the other one. Keep a bath towel handy in case you need to block their view of each other to end a stare. Then ask each cat to turn away for a treat or toy. When they are consistently relaxed in each other’s presence, and willingly turning away when asked, partially remove the gate when they are at a distance. Rather, use food to have them look away after seeing the other cat, which lets you know they are handling things well. Allow them to approach each other if they are relaxed, but DO NOT use food to lure them closer. Now, allow them to spend an increasing number of minutes in sight of each other over the next few weeks. If they will look away from the other cat to play or eat, you have verified that they are pretty calm. If the cats seem calm about viewing each other, ask them to look away from the gate for treats or toys.
If the cats do not choose to look at each other, end the exercise and secure one of them in their room when you are done. If the cats stare or look aggressive or afraid, calmly close the door or block their view with the towel. Keep their first view of each other brief – just a few seconds - and at a distance. Be sure that the cats are far apart when they might first see each other. Have a bath towel handy should you need to block the cats’ view of each other. If the cats are relaxed about taking turns in the house, set up stacked toddler gates. Gradually increase the time he is out in the house. Repeat this over the next several days if no one was stressed. This also lets the cats smell each other’s scent in the house. He needs to know the lay of the land, and his way back to his safe room, before meeting the resident cat. Next, open the new cat’s door, so he might explore the house for a bit if he chooses. Put the resident cat in a room set up for her.
#Cats body language full#
Once a new cat has had at least a full week to establish one room as his territory, is relaxed there, and trusts at least one of the people in the house, it is time to see the rest of the house. New cat meets resident cat Learn the layout of the house If this step is not going smoothly consider booking an appointment with me. Spending time in his room daily reading, watching TV, or chatting on the phone is a good way to break the ice. Do not try to pull him out from his hiding place. If you go into the room you have set up for him and he hides, let him have a few hours to himself. Your new cat has no way of knowing if you have his best interests in mind. As the room acquires his scent, and days pass without incident, he will become more secure and more sociable. If your new cat is hiding or hissing, he will have to stay in his room until he settles down. It’s best for you to keep any other pets out of this room for a few days before bringing your new cat home, so that the room will not smell like someone else’s territory. In order to make the cat feel secure, you should set up a room for him, which contains all of his necessities, including a tall, heavy, scratching post. Your new cat has no way of knowing whether or not he is going to have to fight for territory. Being able to read a cat’s body language is important as well. Introducing two cats to each other requires a gradual step-wise approach.
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