Tips for getting used to foreign animals

The case is like this: Two cats live in a pretty residential complex with several blocks. At one end Naomi, a curious, friendly and welcome cat lady. She has been here for eight years. Merlin lives at the other end of the complex. He moved in about two years ago, is a shy and anxious hangover who prefers to travel outdoors at night. So far, both animals have shared the territory peacefully.

But that’s over for months. After Merlin had completely disturbed several times and even injured, his owner set up a webcam in the garden. She wanted to know who exactly is looking for her hangover. Naomi tapped into the film trap. Show recordings how to get Merlin when he is in the process of slipping through the cat flap and getting to safety. Naomi does not give up even if her opponent is already inside. She keeps nubering the cat flap, but cannot. The flap is provided with a sensor that recognizes Merlin’s microchip and only grants him inlet.

In the end, the cats of the cats landed in court

This failure caused increasing frustration in Naomi. She patrolled up and down more and more in front of the patio door. Merlin soon no longer dared. When the little guy even got nervous in the apartment due to Naomi’s persistence, his owner had outdoor blinds assembled as a privacy screen. Result: Naomi began to work on the blinds, scratched and bent them until Merlin’s mistress had enough one day. She sued Naomi’s owner for compensation and omission.

Different suggestions for solutions were discussed between lawyers and judges (cat connoisseurs, please record!): « Naomi can only be kept in the apartment. » – « Naomi has to be put to the shelter. » – « Naomi and Merlin should be blocked in a room and their problems with each other. »

The solution finally brought a controlled process

Idea one is not possible because you cannot suddenly lock a free -range cat. It will spread such terror at home that it becomes unbearable for the owners. It is difficult enough if a cat needs house arrest for health reasons. Idea two is completely out of the question, because Naomi’s owner loves her cat and offers her a good home. And idea three puts both animals in enormous stress and fear and can end bloodily if there are no escape and retreat options.

Despite their conflict, these aspects were immediately clear to both cat owners. So I was finally allowed to accompany them on a common path of socializing their cats. The basics for this:

1. Arranging cats must be consistently separated for at least one weekso that the waves can smooth out. In the specific case, each cat only got free access at certain times. They found each other when the air was in.
2. The first rapprochement takes place via smells. The owners mutually exchanged the ceilings from the sleeping baskets. There was also treats to fill the scent of the others positively.
3. Controlled visual contact without the animals getting together. The ladies managed this by having been fun inside and Naomi outside the patio door.
4. First encounter outdoors under observation. The brave cat initially remained in a box.

Result: Both cats met at the first free gear directly in front of the webcam. They kept your distance and kept calm. Merlin was able to retire relaxed in the apartment without naomi attacking him or raging at the blinds. Peace negotiations according to Katzen species may be tedious for us, but worthwhile for the well -being of the animals. And you can save yourself legal and court costs.

To person: Tanja Warter is a veterinarian and has been linking the passion for veterinary medicine with the fun of writing.