5 Tips for Introducing a New Cat

Bringing a new cat into a home with a resident cat requires patience and a proper introduction process. Cats are territorial, and a slow, gradual introduction is the best way to ensure they become friends, not foes. Rushing it is the biggest mistake you can make!

1. Start with a Sanctuary Room

Your new cat should start in their own separate, secure room for at least a week. This room should have everything they need: food, water, a litter box, toys, and a comfy bed. This allows the new cat to adjust to the scents and sounds of your home without the stress of a face-to-face meeting with your resident cat.

2. Swap Scents

Cats learn about each other through smell. After a couple of days, start swapping scents. Take the bedding from your resident cat and put it in the new cat's room, and vice-versa. You can also rub a cloth on one cat's cheeks and let the other cat smell it. This lets them get used to each other's scent before they ever meet, making the eventual introduction less of a shock.

3. Brief Visuals, No Contact

Once both cats seem calm with the scent swapping (no hissing or growling at the bedding), you can allow them to see each other. Use a baby gate or crack the door just enough for them to see each other but not get through. Keep these sessions short and positive, offering praise and treats to both cats. A little hissing is normal, but if it escalates, close the door and try again later.

4. Supervised Meetings

When they can see each other without major signs of aggression, it's time for short, supervised meetings in a neutral space. Use toys or treats to make it a positive experience. Keep a close eye on their body language. Staring, flattened ears, and a twitching tail are signs of stress. End the session on a good note before anyone gets upset. Gradually increase the length of these meetings.

5. Be Patient!

This is the most important tip of all. The entire process can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the cats' personalities. Don't get discouraged. Forcing them together will only set you back. Patience and positive reinforcement are your best tools for creating a harmonious multi-cat household.