How To Introduce One Cat To Another Cat
How To Introduce One Cat To Another Cat
Many of us begin our fur family with just one cat, but then quickly learn that our household needs an additional feline companion- because we love cats so much! We might not give the idea much thought, but introducing a new cat to your resident cat is one of the most crucial steps towards a lifetime of happiness together! If we take this step seriously and give our kitties the proper respect and support, they will be able to coexist peacefully in the same home. As eager as you may be to have the kitties together immediately, we highly encourage you to avoid introducing them right away and follow these steps:
What You Should Consider When Introducing Cats
1. Making The Right Decision First
With every member in your household together, compile a list of pros & cons to adopting another cat, chores, financial expenses, socialization planning, training, grooming, and veterinarian care. Is this something that everybody agrees upon? Think about your resident cat’s needs; does she truly want another companion? What is her personality like? How will she respond when bringing home a new cat? Put yourself in your cat’s “shoes” for a few days to see if it is something she would really want.
2. Separate Space and Daily Necessities
Your resident cat has her own territory, which is your entire house! It is very important to separate the two cats by placing the new cat into a smaller room with a door for the transition. If you’ve got a spare bedroom, you could use that for the new cat’s temporary dwelling and the new cat has a safe space to adapt to. Your resident cat also won’t feel as though her space is being invaded. They should always have separate litter boxes, food, water, toys, and bedding throughout the entire transition, and beyond.
3. Be Patient and Keep Calm
There is no timeframe on the transition period as every household and kitty dynamic is unique! It could take a few hours or a few weeks, but it’s best to prepare for the longer time to adjust to be conservative. There is no rush and do not pressure your cats to adapt to each other within a particular timeline. As we all know, our cats completely read our own energy, so it is important to stay calm and positive! Your cats may start off growling or hissing, but over time these unwanted behaviors will ease and disappear.
4. Exchange Scents and Paws
Take two clean fabric cloths, one for each cat. Gently and thoroughly rub one cloth on the cheeks and face per cat. Once you collect their scent, switch and take the time to positively let one cat smell the opposite cat’s scent. You will also start to see the cats smell and swat their paws underneath the door. Use positive encouragement while doing these steps, such as praise, petting, and treats. Eventually, you will want to have feeding time on each side of the door so each kitty is near one another during a positive activity during the day.
5. Introduce Slowly and Positively
Once both cats (and you!) are calm and comfortable, you may introduce the cats to one another and monitor their interaction. Take as many breaks as needed. You will eventually want to increase the amount of time they are together in the same space, using playtime, praise and treats given to each cat when they are not showing aggressive or concerning reactions. We recommend supervising them at all times. Repeat these steps until you begin to see a peaceful cohabitation between your two kitties, where your cats have relaxed postures around another and even start to play with and groom each other. At this point you may then decide to merge all living spaces in your home! Keep an eye on your kitties to make sure they are not being territorial of any litter box, food, water, or bedding, as these should always be accessible by both kitties. You will see a variety of cat behavior on your journey so stay encouraged that over time all will be comfortable in your family!
*Pounce Tip* Before making a decision to bring home another cat, visit a cat lounge or cat cafe in Honolulu. Spend time with all of the different personalities to see if any of them would match with your cat. Ask employees to guide you to making the right decision for your family!
