Pet Care
Getting A Second Pet
Two Cats Can Live As Purr-fectly As One
The majority of households with more than one pet have cats, yet because of their nature, cats often pose a bigger challenge to owners than other pets. Their notorious aloofness can extend to other cats as well as to humans, particularly in the case of indoor pets who may not have seen another feline in years. For an indoor cat even redecorating can be a traumatic experience!
You Should Keep The Following Criteria In Mind Before You Adopt A Second Cat:
Age: Your cat will best accept a kitten. If you put a one-year-old cat with your four-year-old cat, there will be a lot of hissing and spitting. The kitten should be at least 10 weeks old. Twelve to 16 weeks is ideal, unless your cat is a senior citizen; then spare him the nuisance of a rambunctious youngster and adopt a mellow, adult companion.
Gender: The cat's gender does not matter, as long as they are spayed or neutered at the appropriate time.
Personality: Cats are like snowflakes - no two are the same. Take into account individual traits and quirks. If you have a laid-back cat do not get a second cat who is a spitfire.
Health: Owners often bring home disease with their second cat. The biggest concern is chronic viral infection. Feline leukemia is a leading natural killer of cats; it is infectious, and cats can have it and not show any symptoms. Have your cat vaccinated and test the newcomer for this disease. Less lethal, but more common, are upper-respiratory infections, which frequently occur in cats from shelters. Protect your cat with a distemper shot. Parasites are typical too, especially among strays, so have your veterinarian check your new cat for worms, fleas and skin mites before you take it home. Most experts recommend a precautionary quarantine of three to seven days at home or with the veterinarian.
Establishing the Relationship
Your cats will probably hiss at each other for the first two or three days, but you can help their relationship start off on the right paw. Ask someone who is not "pals" with your cat to bring the new animal in a carrier, so your pet can sniff it while they are separated. If the two seem to get along, remove the newcomer from the carrier and put him in a room with his own litter box. Open the door a crack and let the cats discover each other. Wait at least one week before leaving them alone together for long periods. You may want to alternate rooms in which they stay, so they will get used to each other's smell.
Bare-Bones Advice For Adding A Second Dog
Being pack animals, dogs are social and generally enjoy the company of other canines; however, additional dogs place more of a burden on pet owners than do multiple cats, because dogs require more attention than self-reliant cats. Do not adopt a second dog unless you are ready for double the walks, veterinary bills and belly-rubbing.
You should consider the following points when selecting another dog:
Age: If you get a puppy between 10 and 14 weeks old, your two dogs should have a bright future together, but beware of pitfalls in the present. A puppy that young might bond so tightly to your dog that he will not care for people or listen to your commands, so do not leave the two alone together for long periods during the first month. Also, because young puppies will still be teething, be sure to keep the pup from using your dog as a teething ring. As with cats, old dogs present an exception to the rule. Do not inflict a peppy puppy on a 16-year-old dog who just wants peace and quiet.
Gender: Opposites may attract but be sure your pet is spayed or neutered. Two unneutered males can disturb the peace in your house with bickering, urinating and brawling.
Personality/Breed: As with cats, heed individual trains; breed characteristics are more significant with dogs and should be weighed carefully. Akitas, for example, have been bred to be aggressive towards other dogs.
Size: Although size is a breed characteristic, it is worth singling out because it is important in choosing a second dog. There should not be a large disparity in size between your animals. A five-pound Pomeranian, for instance, might get hurt playing with a Doberman. The new dog should be the smaller of the two at the time it becomes acquainted with your family pet; then the first animal's status as top dog won't change, no matter how large the newcomer grows to be.
Health: Dogs are much less likely than cats to carry disease, but they should be examined by a veterinarian for problems such as kennel cough and worms. A bigger worry is parvo or distemper, which your new dog could be incubating without showing any signs of illness. Make sure your pet has been vaccinated against both diseases.
Establishing The Relationship
Before you bring your new dog home, have someone else take him to neutral territory where you and your first pet are waiting. Without having the dogs face off, you and your friend should walk them side by side for about 10 blocks. Towards the end of your stroll, let the animals meet and sniff each other before taking them to your house. In about an hour the other person should leave. For the next few days, keep the dogs from becoming competitive. Do not throw one stick for both to chase, or feed them in the same place at the same time. Make sure your first pet is not displaced, for instance, from a favourite arm chair. The process is similar to a desensitization program. Your dog gets accustomed to his new companion while learning the newcomer is a fixture in the home and does not present a threat. If necessary, keep the new dog under control - in a wire kennel crate or on a leash - while your older pet observes it. Dogs tend to become friendly faster than cats. The two will probably be buddies or at least tolerate each other in one week or so.
Mixing Cats & Dogs
Unlike dueling cartoon cats and dogs, in reality cats and dogs usually co-exist peacefully. Occasionally they even become loyal comrades. , cats and dogs sidestep dominance tensions since there is normally a difference in size as well as species. Still, match ups need to be carefully considered, particularly when you bring a dog into a cat's home.
You should consider the following factors when considering what is the best cat and dog "mix" for your home:
Age: Age doesn't matter in most cases: unless the cat is more than four years old and not accustomed to dogs. Then it is best to get an older dog.
Gender: The dog's gender is seldom a problem but if you have an older male cat who has not been around dogs, you should get a female dog.
Personality: Animal personalities are more important than age, gender or health. If your cat is extroverted, almost any dog will do, but a shy, quiet cat will welcome a boisterous dog about as much as the three little pigs embrace the wolf at their door. Also take into account what breed characteristics your dog has.
Health: Health is not a major concern since few diseases can be passed between cats and dogs. Still, it would be smart to have your veterinarian check the newcomer.
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