How to Introduce Cats

CSO

So you have a new cat. Congratulations! Now comes the more challenging part - how to introduce your new cat to the existing cat or cats in your home. If not done correctly, your furry friends may resent or even act aggressively toward one another.

Before you bring your new friend home, set up one of the small rooms in your house or apartment for him or her. Make sure you put a food and water dish, blankets, and toys in the bathroom or laundry room where you will keep your new cat initially. 

Bring your new cat into your home in a cat carrier so that he or she does not get anxious and try to escape and hide. Once in the small room you've chosen for your new cat to stay in, let him or her out of the carrier to explore it.

Undoubtedly, the existing cat in your home will wonder what is happening. Allow the cats to smell each other under the door only. For the first few days feed your cats on opposite sides of the door, but do not let them see one another. Doing this will help your cats become acquainted with one another's smell, allowing for a proper introduction.

After a few days of this, bring your new cat out into the main part of the house in a carrier for short periods of time. Allow your existing cat to come up to the carrier to smell your new companion. Be sure to supervise their time together as there may be growling or hissing initially. Reward your cats for being nice to each other with treats.

It may also be a good idea to swap blankets your cats have been using. Give your existing cat the blanket your new cat has been laying on and vice versa. This will further facilitate the introduction process by allowing each cat to get used to one another's scent.

After a few days of brining your new cat out in a carrier, let him or her wonder around the main part of the house for short periods of time. Allow your cats to sniff one another. Again they may initially hiss or growl at one another. However, if they become aggressive, intervene.