Introducing Another Cat into Your Home

Acclimating a New Cat in your Home:

Tips for introducing another cat into a home with other cat(s)

Adding another cat to your home may not be the Happy Homecoming you envisioned.  Cats already in the home, even if for a short time, may have objections to their new roommate.  Some felines may feel some “child jealousy” and fear being left out.  Others may be insecure about sharing space and “parental” love with another. These feelings may even turn your indoor cat a bit crazy. Ragging sessions with hissing, scratching, and chasing is normal, but you need to take charge before it’s becomes “survival of the fittest”. Getting your cats to sign a peace treaty can take time, patience and tactfulness on your side. It might take up to several weeks before your cats become comfortable with each other. Taking it slow is not a bad idea, but here are a few steps to pave the way  for multi-cat co-habitation:

·        Keep the new cat in a safe in a separate room

     Initial separation may bring a final happy union. Give your new cat a safe, secured, and confined room to stay in. The new cat needs this isolation to get adjusted to their new atmosphere. Make sure you keep a litter box, food, water, toys, and a scratching post in the room. It’s really very tempting to watch the immediate interactions between the two cats, but hold on! Isolate the new cat for a period of one week.  During this time your new cat may experience some stress symptoms such as eye or nose discharge or diarrhea.  This is normal.  But, if conditions such as inappropriate elimination occur, consult your vet immediately.

·        Introduce your cats to each other's smell

     Smells are a significant part of a cat’s life.  Felines determine emotions, physical condition and hierarchy based on smell.    During the one week isolation of the new cat, start an introduction through smell by sharing the same grooming brush on your cats.  You can also rub a towel over the new cat and have your existing cat smell it.  Consider offering the cats a special treat with the brush or towel so that they can associate each other’s smell with something positive.

·        Offer treats from the other side of the door.    

     Offering treats under the door from the other side also introduces a positive element to an uncertain situation.  Both cats will be receive reassurance that that something good lies on the other side of the barrier between them.

·        Introduce Cats in a Safe Manner

    Your cats first meeting should be through a controlled introduction via a cat carrier.  You may need to repeat this exercise a few times to ensure that your cats are safe and that there are no displays of aggressive behavior.  If there are no acts of aggression, take turns between which cat is in the carrier and which is out.  Keep the personality of your cats in mind, and  socialize the cats at a pace which is suitable for both. 

·        Try again if the first trial was a failure

     Stability might come at the cost of several trials. If negative interaction persists, then you may need to keep the new cat back into its safe room and start the introduction process again.  Such reactions are normal and all you need to do this time is to allow more time at each step. 

Don’t worry if you are not able to establish true love between your cats. You can at least work to develop a peaceful chemistry by allowing each other some space and respecting each other’s freedom.

Cats might appear to be creatures who love to be on their own. That’s true, but only partially. Humans, just like cats require personal time even though we love to spend quality time with our near and dear ones.  Cats crave human love and attention. Spend time with them, play with them, give them fresh food and water daily, and keep their litter box clean (with ScoopFree self-cleaning litter boxes, of course!). It only takes your time and interest to keep your cats happy. Whether your cats can share a true bond or not you will always be showered with their love and affection.