How to introduce your new cat to your current cat?

Cats are very social creatures. They love to interact with other cats or you, but cats are also very territorial animals. Whenever you want to bring in a new family member to meet your resident cat, it is never a good idea to straight away throw them together in a room. Just imagine yourself being thrown into a room full of strangers. Ain’t it scary? So if you are planning to adopt another cat, always introduce them slowly. A gradual introduction is IMPORTANT for them to build friendship. If you are not careful it may ends up in a catfight as a result they will be difficult to get them to be friends again. So let me show you how to introduce your new cat to your current cat.

STEP 1 Before taking in a new cat

Set aside a room or an area for your new cat, make sure it is away from your current resident cat. Here is what you need one seeping area for your new cat, food bowl, litter and one hiding area. Cats hates changes and it will take time before both of your cat can be around with each other.

If you unable to put them in a separate room like myself, you can prepare a cage for your new cat and cover it with some sheets, put the new cat away from your resident’s cat favorite places and hideout area. The hideout area will be the safe zone for the new cat, this will help them to feel more secure.

STEP 2 After bringing in your new cat

• Cats feel safe when surrounded with their own scent. When traveling, make sure to bring along their existing bedding or towel and toys and place them in the new sleeping area and hiding area.
• bring in your new cat straight to their designated area without having contact with your resident cat.
• shut the room door and place the carrier near the bedding or hideout area, let your new cat come out on their own. Never force your new cat to come out. You can try coxing them with their toys and some food.

STEP 3 Swap Cats scent

• A good way to introduce then is by swapping their scent with each other.
• Place your new cat towel or toys near you resident cats favorite place and vice versa. Observe if there is any negative reaction. Once they accept their toys place them closer to their favorite place each day. You also can try to swap their food bowl.
• This will help your resident cat and new cat recognize each other’s scent.
• This process may take a few hour to a few month.

STEP 4 Visual Contact

• Arrange for a control cat meeting. Separate them with a see-through door or keep the door slightly open and let them have a peak at each other.
• Observe both cats, if cats are comfortable they will start sniffing and rubbing against the door. There should not be any negative reaction like hissing and growling.

STEP 5 Spend time with no barrier

• Open the door and let them interact with each other. Do not pick them up and force them to be around each other, if they want to distance themselve, let them.

Cat introduction can take some time, so you have to be patient. It may take a couple of hours or even months. The key is never force them to do anything. They will need time to get comfortable with each other.

Try to see if there any bullying, like one cat is hissing at another cat or one cat is avoiding the other cats area. If you sign of bullying you might want to separate them and restart the process again.

Happy trying.

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