2. Visual Introduction

This step involves allowing the animals to see each other from a distance but not allowing them to get close enough to physically meet. Each individual animal’s response during this step can give an indication as to how they may react when they do physically meet. This step involves 2 people, time, patience and discipline.

• Start with the existing animal in a calm relaxed environment (possibly resting on or

  beside you on the couch).

• Sit with/near your pet and have some treats on hand. Dogs should be kept on lead.

• Allow the second person to enter the room from a distance with the introduced anima

1 - Social/friendly cats/kittens may be held during this process

2 - Scared/timid cats/kittens should be safely confined in a cat carrier as they

may bite or scratch to get away if they become fearful during this step.

• If the existing animal does not show a negative reaction to the introduced animal, then it

  can be rewarded with pats and treats. This will help the existing cat/dog associate a

  ‘positive experience’ with the sight of the introduced animal.

If a negative reaction is not observed, this step can be repeated, progressively bringing the introduced animal to approximately within 1 metre of the existing animal. If there are still no signs of a negative reaction, proceed to Step 3.

Negative reactions include:

• hissing/growling/barking at the introduced animal and/or owner

• dilated pupils or avoiding eye contact

• ears flat (cats), lip-licking (dogs)

• ‘Possum-tail’ (cats) or ‘hackles up’ (dogs)

• running away from the room in which visual introduction is being conducted

• aggressively trying to approach the introduced animal

• referred aggression to the owner during the visual exposure or shortly after

If negative reactions are observed during this process then it is best to stop and try again on a different day, as once some animals are upset they need time to calm down.

It is important not to rush animals through this process if they are showing signs of stress, as this will likely reduce the chance of a positive outcome

It is also important not to reward the existing cat or dog whilst it is displaying these signs of stress as this will only positively reinforce their negative reaction.

When the existing animal has calmed down, repeat the process but start by rewarding the existing animal with pats and treats immediately before the introduced animal enters the room and cease rewarding the instant the existing animal begins to display any negative reactions again.

If no negative reactions are observed, then continue to repeat the above process until both animals are within 1 metre of each other without any signs of stress, before proceeding to the physical introduction.

If there are still obvious negative reactions to this, then desensitisation can be attempted by allowing the existing animal to approach the introduced animal whilst it is safely contained in its carrier or through another secure barrier (e.g. flyscreen, glass door)

• This may be ‘safe’ for the introduced animal but can be very stressful as the introduced animal may feel threatened and ‘trapped’ in the carrier. It is best to place the carrier on a stable elevated surface (chair/coffee table) as cats feel safer off the ground.

• If any negative response is observed from the existing animal, it is best to offer a distraction (toy or noise) and not to scare/discipline the animal as this may heighten the animal’s negative reaction. The exception would be for trained dogs who could be instructed to ‘sit’ or ‘wait’.

• If there is no progressive improvement in response do NOT proceed to the physical introduction.