There are certain problems I encounter quite often in my effort to help people enrich their relationships with their animal friends. The introduction of a new cat into an established household is a frequent one. Whether kitty is coming in to a home with other cats, or dogs, the issues are similar. Cats are very territorial beings, often distressed by change. They need, on a very deep level, to “own” their space. Many of the problems people have when adopting a new cat stem from the insecurity a kitty feels when nothing in his new environment is his.

Then, there is the complication of established kitties (or, to a lesser degree, dogs) seeing the new individual as a threat to their own territory.