For further help and information
Pet information websites:
www.ddfl.org
Humane society in Colorado
www.peteducation.com
Run by a vet
www.drsfostersmith.com
Company that also has good articles
www.bestfriends.org
National animal rescue with pet care info area
Some useful books:
"Cats for Dummies"
A good general reference
"Cat versus Cat"
For cat to cat social problems
"Cornell Book of Cats"
A good general reference by a Vet School in
easy to read language

It's important to have realistic expectations when introducing a new pet to a resident pet. Some cats are more social than othe cats. For example, an eight year old cat that has never been arond other animals may never learn to share her territory (and her people) with other pets in the household. However, an eight week old kitten separated from her mom and littermates for the first time, might prefer to have a cat or dog companion. cats are territorial and need to be introduced to other animals very slowly in order to give them time to get used to each other before there is a face-to-face confrontation. Slow introductions help prevent fearful and agressive problems from developing. PLEASE NOTE: When you introduce pets to each other, one of them may send "play" signals which can be misinterpreted by the other pet. If those signals are interpreted as aggression by one animal, then you should handle the situation as "aggressive."

Confinement

Confine your new cat to one medium-sized room with her litter box, food, water and a bed. Feed your resident pets and the newcomer on each side of the door to this room. This will help all of them to associate something enjoyable (eating) with each other's smells. Don't put the food so close to the door that the animals are too upset by each other's presence to eat. Gradually move the dishes closer to the door until your pets can eat calmly, directly on either side of the door. Next, use two doorstops to prop open the door just enough to allow he animals to see each other, and repeat the whole process.

Swap Scents

Switch sleeping blankets or beds between your new cat and your resident animals so they have a chance to beocme accustomed to each other's scent. Rub a towel on one animal and put it underneath the food dish of another animal. You should do this with each animal in the house.

Switch Living Areas

Once your new cat is using her litter box and eating regularly while confined, let her have free time in the house while confining your other animals to the new cat's room. This switch provides another way for the animals to experience each other 's scents without a face-to-face meeting. It also allows the newcomer to become familiar with her new surroundings without being frightened by the other animals.

Avoid Fearful and Aggressive Meetings

Avoid any interactions between your pets that result in either fearful or aggressive behavior. If these responses are allowed to become a habit, they can be difficult to change. It's better to introduce our pets to each other so gradually that neither animal becomes afraid or aggressive. You can expect mild forms of these behaviors, but don't give them the opportunity to intensify. If either animal becomes fearful or aggressive, separate them, and start over with the introduction process in a series of very small, gradual steps, as outlined above.

Precautions

If one of your pets has a medical problem or is injured, this could stall the introduction process. Check with your veterinarian to be sure that all of your pets are healthy. You'll also want to have at least one litter box per cat, and you'll probably need to clean all of the litter boxes more frequently. Make sure that none of the cats are being "ambushed" by another while trying to use the litter box. Try to keep your resident pets schedule as close as possible to hwat it was before the newcomer's appearance. Cats can make lots of noise, pull eac other's hair, and roll around quite dramatically without either cat being injured. If small spats do occur between your cats, you shouldn't attempt to intervene directly to separate the cats. Instead, make a loud noise, throw a pillow, or use a squirt bottle with water and vinegar to separate the cats. Give them a chance to calm down before re-introducing them to each other. Be sure each cat has a safe hiding place.

Cat to Dog Introductions

Dogs can kill a cat ver easily, even if they're only playing. All it takes is one shake and the cat's neck can break. Some dogs have such a high prey drive they should never be left alone with a cat. Dogs usually want to chase and play with cats, and cats usually become afraid and defensive. Use the techniques described above to bein introducing your new cat to your resident dog. In addition:

Practice Obedience

If your dog doesn't already know the commands "sit," "down," "come" and "stay," you should begin working on them. Small pieces of food will increase your dog's motivation to perform, which will be necessary in the presence of such a strong distraction as a new cat. Even if your dog already knows these commands, work with obeying commands in return for a tidbit.

Controlled Meeting

After your new cat and resident dog have become comfortable eating on opposite sides of the door, and have been exposed to each other's scents as described above, you can attempt a face-to-face introduction in a controlled manner. Put your dog's leash on, and using treats, have him either sit or lie down and stay. Have another family member or friend enter the room and quietly sit down next to your new cat, but don't have them physically restrain her. Have this person offer your cat some special pieces of food or catnip. At first, the cat and the dog should be on opposite sides of the room. Lots of short visits are better than a few long visits. Don't drag out the visit so long that the dog becomes uncontrollable. Repeat this step several times until both the cat and dog are tolerating each other's presence without fear, aggression or other undesirable behavior.

Let Your Cat Go

Next, allow our cat freedom to explore your dog at her own pace, with the dog still on-leash and in a "down-stay." Meanwhile, keep giving your dog treats and praise for his calm behavior. If your dog gets up from his "stay" position, he should be repositioned with a treat lure, and praised and rewarded for obeying the "stay" command. If your cat runs away or becomes aggressive, you're progressing too fast. Go back to the previous introduction steps.

Positive Reinforcement

Although your dog must be taught that chasing or being rough with your cat is unacceptable behavior, he must also be taught how to behave appropriately, and be rewarded for doing so, such as sitting, coming when called, or lying down in return for a treat. If your dog is always punished when your cat is around, and never has "good things" happen in the cat's presence, your dog may redirect aggression toward the cat.

Directly Supervise all Interactions Between Your Dog and Cat

1. Keep your new cat in a small room at first. This way it becomes accustomed to the household smells and noises. Make sure you spend time with the new kitty by playing with him/her. After it has adjusted to this one room (could take 24 hours or more), introduce it to the rest of the house. This will prevent your new pet from getting lost in the house and becoming frightened. They wil lhide and not come out for days, if trust is broken.
2. Slow, slow introductions to other pets. (Do not begin this introduction until after the new kitty has adjusted to the house.) Read the pamphlet on how to introduce cats to other pets first. This introduction should be done only when you are there to supervise. Cats are social, and smart, but will remember a bad meeting.
3. Take your pet to the vet at least once a year. State law requires regular vaccinations for rabies.
4. Buy the best food you can afford. You will save money in the long run in food costs, litter and vet bills.
   Not worth buying - cats eat too much because they are not getting enough protein. This leads to heart problems, diabetes, urinary tract infections, and weight gain: Purina Cat Chow, Friskies, Nine Lives, Deli Cat, Chefs Blen, etc. Read the label. Anything with corn meal or meat meal as first ingredient.
   Worth buying - cats eat less because the food has more ingredients that they need. There will also be less health issues during the life of your cat. Save money and have a healthy cat: Max Cat, Science Diet, Iams, Eucanuba, Proplan, Royal Canine, etc. Read the label. Look for foods that have a meat as the first ingredient.
   Top Shelf - available only at small pet specialty stores or internet: Wellness, Enova Evo, Flint River, Ranch, Natural Balance, etc. Read the label.
5. Keep your cat inside. The average life span for indoor cats is 13 years, though we have seen many indoor cats live well beyond 20 years. Outdoor cats, on the other hand, live an average of less than 3 years. Outside cats are subject to dogs, wild animals or other cats - all can harm or carry diseases that can be transmitted to your cat.
6. Take care of their teeth. In cats over 2 years old, dental problems from lack of proper care rank among the top reasons for veterinary visits even though many of these expensive bills can be avoided with simple, preventative dental care performed regularly at home.
7. Play with your cat. Cats are social creatures and love to interact with you or other animals in the house.
8. Common items which are poisonous to cats - chocolate, caffeine, onions, garlic, grapes, macadamia nuts, mushrooms, Amphetamine, Antihistamines, Acetaminophe, Aspirin, Cocaine, Iron, Marijuana, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Sodium Phosphate Enemas, Tricyclic Antidepressants, Zinc.