So, you have a new cat but you also have an existing cat in the home, right? What do you do to ensure that the two of them will get along? Cats are territorial in nature, so introducing one cat to another isn’t always so easy. But with a few tips, along with some time and patience, you can help to ensure that your cats can get along and coexist in the same household. Here is how to introduce a new cat to an existing family cat.
Create a safe room for your new cat
For the first 6 or 7 days, create a safe room for your new cat. This needs to be a room in your house that is completely closed off to the other cat in the home. A place where the new cat can feel safe and has what they need including food, water, litter box, toys and scratching post. During this time, neither cat should have any interaction with the other cat, except maybe for the occasional peeking under the door.
Start slowly introducing each cat to the scent of the other cat
After the first 6 or 7 days, you want to start introducing each cat to the other cat’s scent. You can do this by brushing one cat and then brushing the other cat with the same brush. Also, when the new cat is not in their safe room, have the existing cat go in there to get used to the new scent and when the existing is not around, have the new cat smell around too.
Introduce the first face to face meeting with the new cat in a crate
The first face to face meeting should be with the new cat in a carrier or crate. Have the cat carrier or crate in the safe room and then allow the resident cat into the safe room. This will allow for the two cats to interact while keeping the new cat protected.
What to expect during this first interaction
Expect some hissing from both cats, since this is something new to both of them. You want to do this type of interaction a few times before removing the barrier. Once the cats aren’t shown any signs of aggression, then it is safe to allow them to interact face to face.
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These are great tips. We had a bad experience bringing a new cat in! Wish I would have thought about some of this.
These are great tips! We have had several cats over the years and it took a little bit to get used to for some especially my girl cat she did was not happy when we brought her home a sister.
These are great tips. We had a bad experience bringing a new cat in! Wish I would have thought about some of this.
These are great tips! We have had several cats over the years and it took a little bit to get used to for some especially my girl cat she did was not happy when we brought her home a sister.
I have always had a cat, since I was a tiny baby. I love them. We’ve had one or two that weren’t thrilled but did come around.
I have always had a cat, since I was a tiny baby. I love them. We’ve had one or two that weren’t thrilled but did come around.
Adding a new furry friend to the family is never easy, especially when other pets are a factor. These tips sound fantastic and make for a wonderful introduction strategy.
Adding a new furry friend to the family is never easy, especially when other pets are a factor. These tips sound fantastic and make for a wonderful introduction strategy.
Animals have instincts of Self preservation and are very territorial so these tips sound very good to introduce a new cat to the family with another cat!
Animals have instincts of Self preservation and are very territorial so these tips sound very good to introduce a new cat to the family with another cat!
These are wonderful tips. I can remember introducing a new cat to my “old” cat and it really took awhile for them to come around each other but eventually they did and it was OK!
This is good information! We only have one cat at the moment but you’ll never know. I think it’s important to take the necessary precautions to avoid fighting and all that. Thanks for the tips!
Cats are territorial so I can see how it might be a challenge to introduce a furry friend in the mix. Great tips for making sure it goes smoothly.
These are super helpful strategies. We had some trouble introducing our new kitten to our other one.
These are wonderful tips. I can remember introducing a new cat to my “old” cat and it really took awhile for them to come around each other but eventually they did and it was OK!
This is good information! We only have one cat at the moment but you’ll never know. I think it’s important to take the necessary precautions to avoid fighting and all that. Thanks for the tips!
Such a smart tips! It’s hard to deal at the first but in the end it will be easy. So glad that you shared it.
Cats are territorial so I can see how it might be a challenge to introduce a furry friend in the mix. Great tips for making sure it goes smoothly.
These are super helpful strategies. We had some trouble introducing our new kitten to our other one.
Such a smart tips! It’s hard to deal at the first but in the end it will be easy. So glad that you shared it.
These are great tips! I love having new cat in our home and so glad to introduced new cat
These are great tips! I love having new cat in our home and so glad to introduced new cat
Oh, this is really great. My mom is planning to adopt a new cat, she already has two.
Oh, this is very helpful to me especially that I love cats!
Oh, this is really great. My mom is planning to adopt a new cat, she already has two.
Oh, this is very helpful to me especially that I love cats!
That’s smart to take it slwo and easy. It’s not always easy to bring a new member of the family home.
I love having cats at home, but never had one yet. These are some great tips to make sure that adding a new cat in your family is an easy process. With time, I guess they could adopt well to each other!
That’s smart to take it slwo and easy. It’s not always easy to bring a new member of the family home.
I love having cats at home, but never had one yet. These are some great tips to make sure that adding a new cat in your family is an easy process. With time, I guess they could adopt well to each other!
These are great tips. It can be tough sometime to introduce new pets into the family.
These are great tips. It can be tough sometime to introduce new pets into the family.