Adopting a cat is a nice decision. While cats are said to be moody, that does not mean the furry creatures do not love their owners. The feline companions have their own ways of showing affection and closeness, and once you get the vibes, you will not think they are temperamental! Cats need their own space, and different cats have varying ways of bonding with their owners. However, you need to be a little more careful when you have other pets at home and wish to bring a cat too.
Listed below are some tips which will help you introduce a cat to your existing pets while reducing the scope of conflict and hassles.
When you have a cat at home already- Cats usually get along well with other cats, but you can never be too sure about feline compatibility. It is hard to predict if the new cat will get along well with the existing one or if they will have catfights every now and then! Two male cats may not bond well, but there is no guarantee opposite sex will ease the bonding as well. However, it is best that you keep a barrier between two cats in the first few days. If you find the cats are bonding well, they can be allowed to stay together. Introducing a kitten to a grown-up cat is relatively easier.
When there is a dog at home- This can be a tricky situation as well. Some dogs are forever at loggerheads with cats, while others bond well with the feline creatures very well. It depends on many factors, breed of the dog, the way it has been raised, etc. Typically, dog species like Labrador and golden retriever get along well with cats, while those with hunting instincts in their blood tend to consider cats as prey. In any case, you should adopt safety measures while bringing a cat to the home which already has a dog. Keep the cat or kitten in a cage for the first few days and observe the dog’s reaction well. If they get along well, you can let them play and stay together.
What to do if you have birds at home?
Cats and birds can coexist in the same household, but you have to be cautious. Domesticated cats still have genetic traits that make them deem small birds as prey. So, it will be best if you keep the birds inside a secure cage. If the bird is relatively big, like a macaw and does not spend much time on the floor, you can decide otherwise.
When there are rodents in the home- When you have rats or hamsters, or even guinea pigs at home, keeping them away from the cat is the safest bet. Not all acts have a high predatory instinct, but it is better to evade the risk. In some rare cases, cats bond with such rodents, but you never know when the inner instinct will kick in.
Overall, keeping cats with other pets at home will not be hard when you are well-prepared. Each cat has a distinct personality, so it is hard to predict the outcome beforehand. However, adopting precautionary measures and introducing the cat or kitten to the existing pets in a slow and phased manner is what you should do.
