Sep 18 2008
Introducing A New Cat Into Your Home
Introducing one cat to another can be challenging, but when it is done correctly, the two cats can form a friendly bond that lasts for years. These are the steps generally recommended to help your cats get acquainted with one another.
First, have a friend or neighbor bring your new kitty into the home (if you can) in a carrier. Have him or her set the carrier down with the kitten or cat still inside and allow your old and new cat to smell one another. If the cats are curious, this generally means they will probably get along, but if they try to attack each other, it probably means their relationship will not be a good one.
Take the new cat in his or her carrier to a separate room where you will keep the new cat for a few days. The purpose of keeping the new cat in a secluded room for a few days is to allow the cat to adjust to your home and to begin learning the rules.
Make sure to spend time with your new kitty in the secluded room during the first few days so that he or she can start developing a bond with you. Do not allow your other kitty to enter the room yet.
Next, after a few days have passed, swap the cats’ beds or place a towel down in each of their favorite spots to nap and swap the towels. This allows each kitty to get used to each other’s scent. Keep switching the towels or beds for another few days to allow the cats to get used to the idea of one another.
Next, allow your cats to sniff at one another through the door of the secluded room. You might even want to feed your cats on either side of the door. If they seem okay with one another on either side of the door, open the door and allow the new kitty to venture out of the room whenever he or she feels safe to do so.
Do not make your cats meet one another. They will seek each other out when they are ready to meet. When your cats first come face to face they might hiss, spit, and growl at one another. This is normal behavior for cats, so don’t be too alarmed. Do not interfere unless the cats are actually hurting each other. If they are just hissing or growling at one another, let them be.
Eventually, the cats will learn to accept one another, and may even learn to like or love one another.
Following these steps will help you introduce your cats to one another in a way that’s best (and least stressful) for each cat.
Do you have any good or bad experiences in trying to introduce a new cat to your home? Please share your experiences in the comments section below!
Source:
Perfect Paws: Introducing Your Cat to Another Pet
