A Brush with Fur the Art Your Cat Blog

6 Tips to Introduce Cats to Each Other

Introducing a new cat to your feline ? Be sure to read our post of "6 Ways to Introduce Cats to Other Cats" for tips!

This is especially important for cats who have been rescued from a shelter, been surrendered by a previous owner, or have just been adopted from the humane society. In that situation, the new cat is likely very stressed and needs time to adjust and feel safe in his new surroundings.

1. Gently Handle The Cats Together

If you want to introduce any cat to another cat, the best way is to slowly approach them and gently handle them together. This will allow the cats to get used to each other, instead of getting scared of each other too soon.

2. Offering Treats

Cats are notorious for their need to snack. They will be looking for food all day if you let them, so it's important to keep them fed at regular intervals.

A great way to do this is by offering your cat treats as a reward or incentive. You can find these in any store that sells pet products, and many of them are designed specifically for cats. The best treats are highly nutritious and help your cat maintain a healthy weight over time.

Some people believe that it is safe to feed their cats dog food because it is the same ingredients as cat food but this is not true! Dogs require more protein than cats do, so feeding your cat dog food will lead to malnutrition and could even be fatal.

3. Place Them Next to Each Other for a While & Let them Sniff Each Other

Introducing cats to each other is a process that requires patience and a lot of time. There are many ways to introduce two felines – but it always starts with the sniff test.

The sniff test is important because it can tell you whether or not the cats will be able to live together in one household. The reason for this is because there are smells from different parts of our anatomy that we can’t smell, but cats can. There are also smells that we find attractive, but a cat might find it offensive or vice versa.

To avoid stressful incidents in the household, it is important to give cats time to adjust to one another. Allow them plenty of space without crowding them, and make sure they have plenty of opportunity to meet each other’s smells. 

4. Provide Toys for Both of Them to Engage in Playtime Alone or Together

Cats spend a lot of time playing throughout their lifetime, and playtime is an important part of helping them to live happy and healthy lives. Cats are natural explorers, so playtime is a great way to help them develop skills related to hunting prey.

Playing alone has the advantage of being able to engage in play time without interruption, but it may also lack the cuddling and companionship that comes with playing with friends.

"Solo cat play time with toys" can encourage cats to explore new areas of the house on their own terms or forage for food.

5. Let The cats Share the Same Room Gradually and See What Happens!

Cats may not be the best when they are in the same room together. They tend to fight, territorial and at times they will even urinate on each other's coats and beds. But introducing cats to each other can be a challenging task for many people. Cats at times don't like one another and will do everything they can to avoid contact with one another.

So it is best for cat owners to introduce their cats over a few weeks' time. Let them share the same room for two or three days, then separate them for about four days, then introduce them again for another two or three days before separating them again. This gradual introduction process will help cats get used to one another more easily and with less stress on both of them! 

6. Bring In Another Cat or Animal that Gets Along Well With Others into the Room (& then Leave!)

Some cats are not so friendly with other cats, so this step can be skipped if you have a cat that does not get along well with others. But if you have more than one cat at home, this is a great way to have them meet each other. You will need to find a new friend for your original kitty and the best way to do that is by going outside.

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If you like to introduce your cat to a new home, we recommend reading this blog post at REDFIN

Reducing Anxiety and Stress Level

with the Power of Cats and Pets

Fear. Stress. And anxiety. A lot of people  around the world are experiencing what you feel, and they have the questions beginning with “how,” what,” and “why.” It is expected to have any of those reactions during this worldwide pandemic. However experiencing all three daily may negatively affect your physical, emotional, and mental state! How then can one reduce the anxiety and stress level? One way is to boost your positive mood with the power of your cats and pets! 

Social Interaction

The truth is some people are not used to staying at home most of the time and there are those whose energy is boosted through social interaction. In addition, staying in touch with friends and family through social media sites, video calls, or texts may not be enough.

Cats and pets can fill in that need for social interaction and companionship! They are a great listener and a keeper of secrets, a comfort when loneliness strikes, and a good distraction that brings ease and peace when one is scared and stressed.

Encouragement

Play interactive games and do some walking exercise with your pets as this will keep you busy and moving. Such activities, including petting and talking with them, will help produce Oxytocin, Beta- endorphins, and Dopamine. These neurochemicals in the brain in turn boosts your positive emotions and improves your sleep, lowering your stress and anxiety level.

Happy and Calm

Relax, relieve the tension, and allow yourself to enjoy the small moment with your feathered/fur babies as you pet them, snuggle with them, watch your fish swim, and listen to your parrot repeat what you say. Such a warm, family interaction will bring lots of smiles, laughter, and a calm feeling to you and your loved-one.

Motivated

Cats and pets remind us that they are there and they know that something is wrong. In their own little way, they will wake you up, look at you to pet and play with them, some would follow their parents, and the rest is to let us feel that it’s okay. Allow the love and care from them and your loved-ones be the fire to motivate you and pull you up from drowning in fear, worry, and negative thoughts!

To conclude, cats and pets are great companions and motivators, but they also require our love, care, and attention during this COVID-19. How have your fur/feathered babies helped you cope? And what interactive activities can you suggest to cat and pet lovers which may lead to lessening stress and anxiety? We would love to hear from you in the comment section below😻

Six Surprising Valentine's Gift Ideas

Purrfect for Loved-Ones

Are you having a hard time finding a unique, surprising gift for your loved-one this incoming Valentine? Do they love cats and other pets? We’ve got the purrfect gift item list for you that will ease your stress and bring overflowing joy and happiness to your lover!

Remember, there are a lot of ways to express your love to someone on Valentine's day and one of them is by giving him/her a gift to let them know much you care and know them!

Respect Royal Cat Ruler

Your lover is your king or queen but never underestimate their small cute cat partner!

They are the true rulers of their human companions.

Symbolize your acceptance, love, and adoration towards the both of them by giving your loved-one a royal king or princess cat portrait.

We’ve got the best royal, professional artists in the entire kingdom who can make a purrfecct digital painting of their pets. Your partner will surely be amazed by the transformation of their furry buddy and child!

Convey Affection

How can you communicate “warmth” and “love” to your partner?

Hugs and Blankets!

As the cold touches your lover’s skin, drape the cat Valentine’s blanket between you two, and cuddle up with that special person --whisper sincere words from your heart to her ear.

Purrfect for a sweet couple moment in February.

Practical Love Gifts

Have your lover laugh and smile when you dance around while wearing this funny kitchen apron of a passionate chef cat!

Stop for a moment to serve him/her favorite drink placed in the LOVE custom mug with their pet’s face on it to make the occasion more special and thoughtful.

Special E-Gift Card

If you don’t know what cat-related gift you can get for your loved-one, our egift card is purrfect for them! Our store has a lot of adorable items they can buy with a $50, $100 or $200 gift card.

Need help finding the purrfect gift? Feel free to message us here or email us at meow@artyourcat.com and we’ll help you pick a Valentine’s present!

Celebrating Famous Felines

The smallest feline is a masterpiece - Leonardo da Vinci

Unleashing the World of Cat Art & Artists!

Cat art adored by artists and photographers worldwide. What makes cats a favored subject among pets? Cats' popularity in art can be gauged by the numerous likes, shares, and purchases of cat art photos on social media and art platforms. Cat lover and art enthusiast? Discover fascinating facts about cats in the world of artists!

British Museum Picture

Feline Masterpieces: Ancient Egyptian Cat Art Unearthed!

In ancient Egyptian history, cats are revered and feared during that time for they had feline goddesses such as Bastet and Mafdet. If one injures or kills a cat, severe punishment is given to the person held responsible. Moreover, these feline cats have small sculptures and paintings dedicated to them because most of Egyptian art is related to religion. In the city of Bubastis –known for its greatest temple –thousands of small cat sculptures and mummified cats have been recovered.

Pawsitively Artistic: Exploring Cat Art in Asian Cultures!

How about in Asia? Cats are found in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese arts. They are typically depicted as pampered pets, hunters, ghosts, monsters and spirits by Asian artists.

Cats Suggested As The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō, (1850), woodblock print

The Ukiyo-e (woodblock print and paintings) of Japanese illustrator Utagawa Kuniyoshi contains 55 cats and is displayed in museums.  In addition, Kuniyoshi gave Kabuki actors cat faces. 

InkDance Chinese Painting

Meanwhile, cats in Chinese art are favored by Chinese painters and calligraphy artists for their rounded and contour bodies. 

Byeon Sang-byeok’s Myojakdo

Korean painter Byeon Sang-byeok was known for his detailed brushwork and affections for animals, and an example is his work Myojakdo (Paintings of Cats and Sparrows).

French Artists to Artistic Icons: The Feline Evolution!

If you have watched films or seen arts with witches and their familiar cats, some of you must have thought that it is cool or you admired it. Sadly, some of the people in the past had a negative opinion of cats. During the early 1800s in France, these adorable and innocent cats suffered due to an assumption that they are a part of witchcraft and are a demonic symbolism. Later on, it ended and cats became the favorite subjects of artists in the 19th-century. An example is Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen’s prominent cat poster Lait Pur Stérilisé (found below).

Lait Pur Stérilisé by Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen

Another French artist whose work of art centers on a cat is Berthe Morisot. Her art piece Fillette au Chat shows a drawing of her daughter affectionately carrying a kitten. 

Fillette au Chat by Berthe Morisot

     Do you agree that cats are great, mighty hunters? Here is a fact: This trait is highly regarded by some societies or cultures from the past up to the present. An example is an art of a cat capturing a partridge in the well known Pompeian Casa Del Fauno (House of the Faun) mosaic circa 2 B.C.E. 

         snappygoat

    Cat art became a recurring theme in modern art forms during the 20th century. Why? Most artists were inspired and connected to the cat’s solitude, tranquility, and elegance. One artist who was known to adore and love his furry muse –allowing to accompany him during his creative process –was Henri Matiss. His art piece of his daughter and cat can be seen below. 

Matisse’ Marguerite with a Black Cat, 1910

Feline Artistry Unleashed: From Mighty Hunters to Modern Masterpieces!

At present, cats are still one of the favored subjects of artists. Moreover, with the emergence of new art forms, artists are able to bring these felines closer to people. Some museums and programs have interactive art that features live rescued cats ready to be brought home to a family. Through art, cats are appreciated and it also becomes an opportunity to encourage others to adopt.

What are your thoughts to our fun facts? Would you like to add an information? We would love to hear from you in the comment box below.

Sources:

• Cat Museum San Francisco
• The Great Cat
• Google Arts and Culture
• Swann Auction Galleries
• The Artifice