The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [77]
A well-socialized, four-month-old Aby is usually self-confident and will enthusiastically meet new cats and human friends. Adult resident cats, however, do not initially welcome a newcomer. Similar to their cousins in the wild, domestic cats display protective territorial traits that require gradual exposure during introductions.
Even after a long flight and car ride, Ruffian arrived at her new home with play on her mind. A bathroom was prepared with a comfortable cozy blanket, toys, litter, and food, but when Ruffy jumped up on the counter, she was shocked to see another kitten in the mirror. Step One in my introduction instructions — providing a “safe room” — suddenly turned into a catastrophe. A shaking and terrified kitten watched the mirror being covered with newspaper pages to block the view.
Once Ruffy had calmed down, we were ready for the second step of exchanging smells over a few days. This involved allowing the resident cats to sniff Ruffy’s carrier and blanket in the safe room, while the kitten became acquainted with the rest of the house.
Step Three called for the first glimpse between the resident cats and the kitten through a glass door. There was some hissing, but Ruffy was thrilled to finally see another Abyssinian. She happily ran around, launching herself onto the kitchen counter and eventually crashing into the other cats’ water dishes. From then on, it was clear she was no longer satisfied with life in the safe room.
Then came the final step — contact. The resident cats were held so they could sniff and greet Ruffy, who was also restrained. The senior female cat acted uninterested but expressed her protest by retreating. The male appeared miffed but politely avoided lashing out. Finally, with mealtime as a distraction, all three began to mingle peacefully.
Today, the three cats may not be best buds, but harmony exists. As for Ruffy, she displays a typical Aby personality by enjoying a ride on top of the vacuum.
Contributed by Joan Miller, all-breed judge
Bring the Outdoors In
Q My cat is driving me crazy! I adopted him from the local shelter a couple of months ago. He is about a year old. I want him to be an indoor cat, but he is constantly demanding to go outside. I have to be very careful when I open my door or he will try to slip out. I own a home with a backyard, but I can’t afford to fence the whole thing in. I tried to train him to walk on a leash, but that was a disaster. Are there other ways I can safely satisfy his need to be outdoors?
A Clearly, your kitty craves the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors. It is likely that he was an outside cat before you adopted him, but if you are patient, you can probably persuade him to adapt to indoor life. You don’t want his demands or door bolting to escalate into deeper behavior problems. His indoor-only status can cause more stress and anxiety, so you need to provide distractions for him.
Many creative companies are designing a variety of outdoor enclosures that give cats the outdoors minus the dangers. They vary in size and price, ranging from window enclosures to freestanding gazebo-type enclosures positioned in the backyard. Some are freestanding while others are attached to the house and accessed through a cat flap door. All of these enclosures are designed to keep your cat safe while allowing him some time outside.
Some of these models can take a major bite out of your household budget, but might be worth the cost if your cat is calmer and happier when he has an outlet for his outdoor longing. Even something as simple as a window enclosure will give your cat the chance to soak up vitamin D from the sun and be out of paw’s reach from dangerous predators such as dogs or coyotes.
FELINE FACT
Sir Isaac Newton, discoverer of the principles of gravity, also invented the cat door.
The more elaborate outdoor enclosures