Debunking a myth

[saharahoshi]

My in law believes there is a magic procedure by which you can sedate two cats to introduce them to each other and when they wake up they will get along bc they smell similar. Has anyone heard of this before? It sounds bananas and made up.

 

[danteshuman]

The closest I have heard of is putting a dab of pure vanilla extract on the back of each cat’s neck; after one cat comes back from the vet or groomer. In those cases, the cats already knew each other.

I suggest the slow introduction method, where the cats swap spaces (without seeing each other.) Use 2 crates to site swap if you need to.

 

[rubysmama]

The vanilla extract "trick", as danteshuman mentioned, is the only scent "procedure" I've heard of.

But I've never heard of sedating the cats first. That doesn't sound right, at all.

Here's a link that mentions it: Ode to vanilla extract

And the TCS article on How To Successfully Introduce Cats: The Ultimate Guide – TheCatSite Articles

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I have never heard of that. Additionally, some cats can be violent when coming out of sedation, which certainly wouldn't help the cause at all. the vanilla trick works in some cases. Enough to be well-worth trying, but do use real vanilla.