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Are you thinking of adopting a new cat? Do you already have a cat at home? If so, you’ll need to know how to introduce cats. If you plan ahead, stay patient, and take things slowly, the process should go smoothly.
Patience is especially important when it comes to figuring out how to introduce cats. Whether you’re introducing a kitten to an older cat, cats of the same age, a foster cat, or anything in between, it will be a gradual process.
Always remember to practice positive reinforcement, and things should be fine. This means rewarding good behavior with treats, play, and lots of love.
Start By Keeping the Cats Separated
It’s sort of ironic that two cats who will be long-time companions should be separated at the start. But that will really help to make feline introductions as smooth as possible.
There’s a chance that neither cat will exhibit any aggressive behavior when you bring the new kitten or older cat home.
But if you want to make sure each animal will ultimately be happy, play it safe, and keep the new cat in a separate room – at first.
The “safe” room should be a quiet place, such as a bedroom. It also needs to be one where the resident cat spends a good amount of time. That will help the new cat get used to the smell of the resident cat.1
Pheromones
Cats get used to each other through pheromones. These are substances secreted from glands in the cheeks. When you see a feline rub their cheek against a wall, or your leg, they’re producing pheromones and marking you with their scent.
Now, these pheromones can go a long way toward keeping each pet calm. Gently wipe a towel on the cheek of the new feline. Do the same thing to your resident cat. Keep each towel near each pet, so they get used to each other’s pheromones.2
Feed the Cats
A great way to get your kitten or older cat used to the resident pet (and vice versa) will be through food. Put their food bowls on opposite sides of the door. The cats will be able to smell each other and associate that smell with something pleasant – eating!
If either feline refuses to eat, bring the bowl to a different area. But make sure you put treats on opposite sides of the door. Should either cat show signs of aggressive behavior, such as hissing or growling, you’ll need to keep each animal separated.
It might take a few weeks before the cats start to get along. If both are eating normally, and using the litter box, switch rooms. Keep the litter boxes in the same spot. This will further help each cat get used to the other’s scent.3
The Face-to-Face Meeting
If everything seems to be going well after two or three days, it’s time to start the face-to-face introduction. Start by opening the door and putting a baby gate across the opening. Since most cats can jump a baby gate, consider stacking two gates on top of each other.
Keep the food and litter boxes for each animal on either side of the gate. If everything seems calm and you don’t notice any hissing, scratching, or other signs of aggression, take the gates down. Hopefully, they’ll start to play with each other and you won’t see any signs of problems.
If there are signs of aggression, though, repeat the separation steps for a couple of weeks. Then you can try the face-to-face introduction process again.4
Here’s to A Long, Beautiful Relationship
Sometimes, a kitten you bring home will immediately warm up to an older cat, and vice versa. A shy cat can often get along just fine with an outgoing cat. There are even instances where pet owners don’t need to go through any sort of special introduction process.
But even if it takes a few weeks for your cats to get used to each other, the effort will be worth it in the long run. They’ll likely be the best of friends, playing and hanging out together in harmony in your household!
If you have any questions regarding how to introduce cats to each other, talk to your vet.
Learn More:
Why Does My Cat Bring Me Dead Things?
How Fleas and Ticks Affect Your Pet’s Health
Why Fish Oil Can Be Amazing For Your Dog’s Health
Sources
1.https://www.thesprucepets.com/introducing-cats-101-552003
2.https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/introducing-new-cat
3.https://www.paws.org/library/cats/home-life/introducing-cat-to-cat/
4.https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/introducing-pets
My cat came to me out of the woods near my home in 2005; a skinny, frightened, half-grown kitten. He had been heard around the neighborhood for a week or more but no one could get close to him. I finally sat down on the ground and with some quiet talking and patience he finally came near me and took some food from me, but remained very skittish. When I got up to leave he followed me home. I fed him, and within days he was in my house. He was voracious, but almost seemed feral. He couldn’t stand to be inside all day and night but he didn’t want to stay outside all the time either. He always stayed close to home and fiercely defended his property against any other cat foolish enough to set foot on it. I knew it was dangerous for him to be outside and would have preferred to keep him as an inside only cat but we came to an understanding that has worked well for us for 14 years. He trusts me but he hates other cats and is still very wary about the unknown, and I think that is why he has survived so well when he is outside. I tried several years ago to rescue another cat who was a stray. He was as big as my big boy, very sweet and lonesome. I tried keeping them separated but able to smell each other through a closed door for weeks, but my cat was furious and would have no part of him. I set up living quarters for the new cat in a large cage and left the door to his room opened for several hours a day so my cat could go in and see him and maybe get used to him. After three months of listening to his growling and screeching at him through the cage I reluctantly turned the stray over to a rescue. Several years later it was necessary for me to adopt my brother’s elderly Lab rescue after he died and my cat grudgingly accepted him until the dog died of old age, but I realized it just wasn’t fair to him to make him accept another animal in our home. My now elderly boy doesn’t care as much about going out everyday, has never cared about cuddling but he always stays close to me. He is a strange little character whom I dearly love, and we chat all the time as he is very vocal, but I think there are some cats who cannot be made to accept another cat. I have wondered if he would accept a female or a kitten, but I don’t feel it is fair to put him or another cat to the test.
Dr. Gary; unfamiliar with owning cats I took in a male kitten at 4 wks. That was given me by a friend. I had him neutered so forward a year later, I had the opportunity to get a playmate for him from another friend. A 6 wk old female, Skitter who is still with me. Said Friend had other cats & I had read about introducing cats as you explained so I asked her how she proceeded. She said she didn’t do anything! Just bring her home & let her go. Well I did just that. As soon as I brought her in She went right to the litter box. Yoda acted warily at first & then he started chasing her around the house to my alarm. Was worried what would happen & at that time she was small enough to shinny under the hutch to get away. After some time of doing this it was like they were besties. He would groom her & vice versa. Yoda has since passed & wonder if it’s too late now after 2 years to get another. He helped keep her in shape with all the running.
One of my 10 indoor cats has suddenly started having bowel movements on the floor in the room where the litter box is located. He is a large (20 lb), twelve year old. Thinking that he might be too heavy to climb into the 12″ box, we placed a large block of wood next to the box for him to climb up on; didn’t make any difference. Now what? Please advise. Thanks
My resident cat is an outdoor cat. He is indoors now and then, mostly for eating and in winter. I am expecting my son’s family moving here next year. They have six cats that are all indoor cats that occasionally go outside. They sleep indoors at night and my resident cat sleeps outside at night.
What should I expect and what should I do to make the meeting smooth?
Thank you for all your wonderful advice