How to Introduce Cats
One of the most popular topics I talk about over the years - and topics I get asked about the most - is how to introduce cats to cats. Well…here it is! Check out our online store! https://shop.jacksongalaxy.com/ And our Amazon store! https://www.amazon.com/stores/JacksonGalaxy/page/B63700B9-289D-4A18-8669-CD05705A559A?ref_=ast_bln 0:00 Intro 0:41 Preparation 4:53 Introducing Cats However…this is, by no means, an exhaustive overview on the subject. I wanted to give you guys a detailed glance into how I see bringing cats together - from their vantage point. If you want the real blow-by-blow, broken down into actual bite-sized pieces, there is a full chapter on introductions in my book, Total Cat Mojo. For the first time, in the many years that I've been teaching and, to the best of my abilities, perfecting this technique, I feel like I’ve gotten it down on paper the way I would want to see it if I wanted to learn everything about introductions. So, that said, I hope you guys pick up the book! Also...Another thing makes this technique great is that you can use it to re-introduce cats as well. Sometimes, when a major fight or other trauma between cats happens, it’s best to take it back to square one, treat them as if they’d never met before, and re-build a trusting relationship the same way you would build it if they were strangers. FINALLY - please remember one thing… even though I put together a step-by-step, very cautious program for introducing cats, please don’t interpret that as trying to force something - meaning that you would take this as saying cats are better off alone. Not true! I firmly believe that by and large, cats are happier in the company of other cats. They are very social animals, just like the rest of us animals. They’ve just gotten a bad rap over time as being solitary, when that’s not how they function in the wild, or in domestic settings. You only get one chance to make a good first impression! Adopt a cat today, use this approach, and congrats on your new, larger family! Related Videos When Cat Introductions Get UGLY https://youtu.be/ZUcVUFvmDFE How To Introduce Your Cat to a New KITTEN! https://youtu.be/4DlJYcfiRu4 Related Products Catify To Satisfy: Simple Solutions for Creating a Cat-Friendly Home https://shop.jacksongalaxy.com/products/catify-to-satisfy-simple-solutions-for-creating-a-cat-friendly-home?utm_source=google&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=jgyt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🔔 Don't forget to subscribe and ring that bell! 🔔 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCheL-cUqfzUB8dfM_rFOfDQ/joi 😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺😺 🐈⬛ Calling all pet parents! 🐈⬛ Share your video moments with me...and maybe the world! Upload your clips here ▶︎ https://www.jacksongalaxy.com/submit 😺 My Favorite Cat Products (naturally!) 😺 ►http://jacksongalaxy.com 🐈 Follow Me Here! 🐈 INSTAGRAM ► https://www.instagram.com/thecatdaddy FACEBOOK ► https://www.fb.com/JacksonGalaxy TWITTER ► https://twitter.com/JacksonGalaxy TIKTOK ► https://www.tiktok.com/@jacksongalaxy REDDIT ► https://www.reddit.com/user/jackson-g... 😻 The Jackson Galaxy Project 😻 We make a difference for at-risk animals and the people who care for them. Join us! ► http://www.thejacksongalaxyproject.org/ #JacksonGalaxy #Cat #Advice
How to Introduce Cats
Introduction to Cat-to-Cat Introductions
In this section, Jackson Galaxy introduces the concept of cat-to-cat introductions and debunks the myth that cats are solitary animals.
Cats are not Solitary Animals
- Cats are not solitary animals and should be with other cats.
- The goal is to introduce cats to each other in a safe way.
Preparation for Cat-to-Cat Introductions
- Do not free feed your existing cat. Put them on a meal plan.
- Get your cat on a schedule that includes playtime.
- Create a Basecamp for the new cat where they can get their scent into things.
Site Swapping
- Start site swapping when the new cat shows interest in exploring outside of Basecamp.
- Swap sites without ever letting the cats see each other.
Catification
- Catification is key to every aspect of introducing cats.
- Make sure there are places for cats to escape and explore vertically.
Introduction Concept: Other Side of the Door Feeding Ritual
This section discusses the introduction concept that is the other side of the door feeding ritual. The goal is to create a positive association between cats using food.
Positive Association with Food
- Create a positive association between cats using food.
- The only time your cat smells food, they should also smell each other.
- Use mealtime to create a positive association.
Personal Space and Slow Progression
- Give your cats personal space and slowly progress towards contact.
- Goal is for cats to eat without hissing or growling.
- Determine challenge line where cats are comfortable on one side but not on the other.
- Every day, move closer to challenge line.
Visual Access
- Once cats are comfortable eating near each other, provide visual access through a screen door or baby gate.
- Gradually increase visual access while continuing feeding ritual.
Final Step: Eat Play Love
This section covers the final step in introducing cats - Eat Play Love.
Eat Play Love Exercise
- Eat Play Love exercise combines all things that cats love - eating, playing, and loving.
- Give both cats an activity as they come into the room to prevent territorial behavior.
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