There may come a time when you want to add another cat to your household. Whether you found a tiny kitten that you want to bring home or you found one that you couldn’t resist at the shelter, the truth is that the real work begins now!
How do you introduce your cat to another cat? Here are some tips to help.
It is essential to proceed slowly during this process.
If you go too fast and try to hurry the steps, you may have to start all over again!
Choose the right cats.
It is essential to choose a cat that is similar to your own. This will make the whole transition easier!
If you want to read more, you can check out another article of mine, Will My Cat Get Along with Another? You can read it right here.
Give each cat its own space.
You need to start by keeping your cats separated. Each cat should have their own food, water, and litter box. You should give each cat a few days to learn where their own space is before you let them out together.
It may also help to give them each something that smells like the other.
Many people do this when they bring home a new baby, but it also works on cats. Give each other a towel or blanket with a new smell, so they can get used to it.
Then, you can let each cat explore the other cat’s space (without them in it).
You should put each cat in the other’s space for a while. You may do this for a few hours or an entire day.
Then, you can let the cats meet through the door or a baby gate.
This will introduce them to each other safely. They will be able to smell each other and gauge their feelings for one another. If you notice that your cat is stressed, you may want to take a step back or two.
When you don’t notice any signs of stress between the cats when they have a door in between them, it is time to move on to the next step.
It’s time to let your cats meet each other. It is normal to experience some hissing or growling initially. Then, they should settle down as they start to get used to each other.
You may allow your cats to see each other for a few minutes at a time, several times a day. This is NOT the time to let them together for hours at a time.
Then, it is time to open the door!
Once your cats can stand a few minutes of interaction, it’s time to see how well they will do when there’s nothing between them.
During this time, you should be there and watch their body language. If you notice that your cats look stressed or wound up, it may not be the right time to introduce your cats. You may want to try again tomorrow.
Once your cats can spend short periods of time together, you can start to increase the time.
After a certain amount of time, you may be able to leave them alone together, without having to worry.
When introducing new cats, you must go slowly. You may also need to take a step back if one of your cats seems to get upset. That being said, you also need to wait until both cats are doing well before you go to the next step.
You may also want to try Feliway, a drug-free solution for stressed cats. It is a diffuser that emits pheromones to help calm your cat. It is available on Amazon.
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Please note, this article contains affiliate links, where I will receive compensation if you buy the product, without any extra cost to you.
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You should also note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately.