Tips for Re-Introducing Cats
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Tips for Re-Introducing Cats
For those of you who follow us on Facebook, you already know that I re-introduced my 6-year old Ragdoll cats, Charlie and Trigg, to my parents’ 11-year old Ragdoll cats, Caymus and Murphy last week. Caymus and Murphy originally met Charlie and Trigg as kittens and have been with them at my parents’ house. However, my parents moved from their permanent home in April 2014 and have been in a rental house ever since. They finally found a home to buy, and are now moving again to their new home. As a result of the temporary situation, I chose not to introduce Charlie and Trigg to the house my parents were renting. Mostly, out of laziness and inconvenience. However, I thought it would be a good idea to introduce all four cats to the new place at the same time. My thought was that they would all be too cautious and uncomfortable with their surroundings to care what the other cat was doing. Worked like a charm. [youtube]https://youtu.be/gY-IpuGw5E4[/youtube] I also posted a few videos on Facebook of them:Murphy, Caymus, Charlie and Trigg under a bed in the basement of my parents’ new place. Posted by Floppycats.com on Saturday, October 31, 2015
Another video under the bed. Good god I hope they come out soon as I want to go home. Posted by Floppycats.com on Saturday, October 31, 2015
Some tips I have for re-introducing cats:
- Positive – Bring a positive attitude and energy
- Scent Exchange – I loaded my cats in my car, then went to my parents’ house and picked up Caymus and Murphy. They were all in their carriers, next to each other in the car ride over to the new house. So they could smell each other through the air on the way over.
- Breathe – a vet once told me that the ONLY time a cat has bitten her was when she held her breath.
- Clear Energy – I always clear the energy of each room with Epsom salts and alcohol. I fill a Pyrex dish with Epsom salts and rubbing alcohol, light it on fire and let it burn in a room until the flame goes out. I then repeat in all other rooms.
- Distract – If, for example, Charlie starts getting grumpy or hissy, I change what he’s doing or distract him to concentrate on something else. Like pick him up and take him to another room, or find something to play with.
- Talk – I think it’s so important to talk to your cats. Let them know what’s going on. Let them know you want them to get along. You’ll hear me in the video say, “Everybody’s friends.” (Poor English there, but you get my drift). Even if the cats don’t know the words you’re using, we subconsciously emit a feeling when we use certain words. Cats can pick up on that energy – that’s why it is important to stay positive.
- QuitIt – If worse comes to worse, a spray of a can of Quit It! will stop my cats dead in their tracks.
Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,
Excellent tips! I really enjoyed the video of the four cats investigating your parents’ beautiful new home. I was actually quite interested in your references to the animal communicator. Do you have any posts that you could republish that describes what they do, how they work, do they communicate with departed pets, etc.? I would really love more info on that. In any event, thanks for all the info and videos! Both enjoyable and quite helpful.
Hi Debbie,
Yes, I have interviewed a number of animal communicators over the years. I can give you the name and number of the one we use, if you’d like. She can do a conference over the phone and can talk to departed pets.
Here is a link to all the interviews I have done: https://www.floppycats.com/category/pet-communicators
Thanks,
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
Thank you so much for the info — really fascinating and very helpful! I am seriously considering getting in touch with an animal communicator. I would love to know what my Chelsea is thinking and am still heart-broken that I lost her brother, Derby, two years ago at only 6 years old. I very much want to talk to him and tell him how sorry I am that I wasn’t able to do more for him during his last, sudden illness. I really love the idea that it is possible to do that. I would appreciate knowing who you use — I have been very impressed by everything that you have posted about the subject.
I am so glad I found your website. Although I have had cats my whole life, I always find something new and interesting in your posts. I especially like the featured ragdolls. And please keep those videos coming — I do so enjoy watching Charlie and Trigg, Caymus and Murphy, Ash and Addie doing absolutely anything. I always know, if I am having a bad day or just feeling cranky, that a Floppycats video will always put a smile on my face!
Thanks for everything,
Debbie
HI Debbie, I have sent you an email privately with the animal communicator’s info. I am glad you enjoy the videos. I am so sorry for your loss – you know you can always submit your kitties for Ragdoll of the Week as well! Even kitties who have passed, like Derby, can be submitted. Of course, maybe you want to have a session with the animal communicator first to see if you want to include that in the story. Thanks, Jenny
Excellent post and advice, Jenny! Lurved the videos (as usual)! Your parents’ new home is just beautiful! Lurve those hardwood floors!!! Really learned a lot from this post and the videos! Thank you so much!!!
Big hugs!
Patti & Miss Pink Sugarbelle 🙂 <3
Yes, those hardwood floors are pretty.
I like your list of tips.
I agree with and practice all of them except for the epson salts and alcohol.
That, I have never tried.
Great videos.
Do you have any more to add?
Great advice Jenny! Love the video of them exploring. They all seem to be doing so well on their first time in the house too. Know that they all take a lot of comfort in the fact that you are there with them and hearing the calming sound of your familiar voice makes them know that everything is OK.♥♥♥
=)