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If you are a cat owner feeling nervous about introducing a new cat into your family, you’re not alone. Introducing two cats can be a very stressful experience for both you and your cat. However, there are steps you can take to make sure that the transition goes smoothly. Most likely, your cat will not be incredibly welcoming to a newcomer. In fact, they will likely perceive them as a threat. Cats are extremely territorial animals, so they are not big fans of changes in their environment.
However, even though your cat may not initially be open to a new cat joining the family, it is absolutely possible to make the introduction smooth. Following these steps will allow you to safely introduce two cats while keeping both as comfortable as possible. As mentioned, you can’t expect your cat to be thrilled about a new cat entering their territory, but you can ease the stress they may experience.
In this blog post, we’ll cover instructions and advice on introducing two adult cats, a kitten and an adult cat, or just two kittens. But as you’ll find out, regardless of your cat’s age or breed, patience and time are the most important factors. Now, here is how to introduce two cats.
Introducing Two Adult Cats
Introducing two adult cats is certainly not an easy task, which is why having a “game plan” is essential. The biggest concern with introducing two adult cats is their safety. While it is not likely, a cat may react aggressively and even violently to another cat in their home. That’s why the introduction process needs to be controlled and closely observed. Even if your cat doesn’t react aggressively, they will likely not be welcoming of a new cat.
As mentioned earlier, cats are very territorial creatures that were typically solitary when they lived in the wild before domestication. Other cats will likely be perceived as a threat that is invading their territory – your home. So, if you’d like to introduce your cat to another cat, you need to eliminate the risk and let your cat know that it is okay. Now, let’s go over the various steps needed to ensure a smooth transition.
Step 1: Start Off Slow
Time is one of the most important assets you have while attempting to introduce your cats. Allowing your cats enough time to familiarize themselves with each other will be incredibly impactful on their long-term relationship. Though every cat will react differently, you can expect it to take up to eight months for your cats to establish a friendship. Yes, you heard that correctly. Up to eight months! What can I say? Felines are stubborn.
With that said, it’s not a good idea to allow a new cat to enter your other’s cat space immediately and with full access. Instead, keep your new cat in its crate at first when they are in the same space. The crate should be covered to prevent the cats from seeing each other. Removing any visual elements is very important for their first encounters. Since cats are highly smell-oriented creatures, allowing them to get used to each other’s scents is very important. After some time, the cage cover can be removed.
Continue to Take Things Slow
After they’ve met with your new cat in the cage, you can permit them to interact with each other through a baby gate or other barrier. Allowing them to see each other is important, but barriers are necessary to prevent any negative reactions. After you’ve observed calm, comfortable interactions between them on multiple occasions, it’s okay to allow them to meet without barriers. The time that they are in the same space should be limited for the first few days and weeks. All of their encounters should be monitored. By allowing your cats enough time and space in between encounters, they will likely be much more comfortable.
It is important to only proceed with introducing your cats if neither of them are showing signs of aggression. Closely observe both of their behaviors during all of their encounters to get a gauge of how the transition is going. If one or both of the cats are displaying aggressive or scared behaviors like hissing, scratching, or retreating, this is likely a sign that they need more time to become familiar with the situation. This is a clear indication that you should slow down the introduction process.
You may need to spend days or even weeks in between steps to ensure that your cats are comfortable. Unfortunately, though only in extreme cases, some cats may not be compatible. If all of your cats’ interactions are aggressive with no signs of improvement, it may not be a good idea to make the arrangement permanent. In this case, rehoming the new cat may be necessary. However, keep in mind that this is an absolute last resort. In most cases, cats will not react so extremely to each other, and a relationship is possible.
Step 2: Create a Controlled Environment
Creating a safe, controlled environment is also crucial to ensuring your cats get off to a good start. Your new cat should have a designated space away from your other cat for the first few weeks. Preferably, this space should be somewhere not often visited by your other cat so their scent does not make your new cat uncomfortable. During the times in between your cats’ encounters, they each must have a space of their own at least for the first few weeks.
After some time, you can switch out scent-absorbent objects like blankets and pillows in each cat’s room. Though this may be somewhat overwhelming for them at first, it will allow both cats to become more familiar with each other without interacting directly. It will establish the idea that your home has become a shared space.
The space that they interact in is incredibly important. The most important thing is to establish a safe, comfortable space for both of your cats. Set up multiple sources of food, water, and litter. This will ease any competitiveness that the cats may feel between them. Furthermore, provide lots of places for them to hide or be obscured as being forced to be in the open may be uncomfortable.
Make sure the shared space has an adequate amount of room for both cats. They should not feel confined or claustrophobic as this will only heighten tensions. If you can ensure that there is plenty of room and plenty of places for your cats to hide or sleep, you will likely find the whole process much easier.
Introducing a Kitten to an Adult Cat
Introducing a kitten to an adult cat can be especially worrisome because of the additional threat of the kitten coming to harm. While all interactions between a kitten and an adult cat must be observed, be especially wary of male cats. While it is not common, male cats have been known to attack and even kill kittens that do not belong to them. Plan on keeping your kitten away from your male cat until it is at least eight weeks old. Past eight weeks, it is okay to begin introducing your kitten to an adult male cat using the same process as explained earlier.
As for female adult cats, you generally have less to worry about. However, their introduction and interactions should be carefully spaced and always monitored. Besides exerting some extra caution and understanding that kittens have less defense than other cats, the process of introducing them to your cat is relatively the same as stated earlier.
Introducing Kittens
Introducing kittens is generally the easiest and simplest of the types of cat introductions. Because kittens have not fully developed their territorial instincts, they likely will not react as hesitantly to new cats – especially other kittens. You can introduce kittens using the steps mentioned earlier, but much less time will be necessary during the time in-between steps. It can take kittens as little as a few hours to get used to each other. Start by setting up separate spaces and allowing the kittens to observe and greet each other through a barricade like a baby gate. Also, be sure to have your camera ready for cuteness moments!
After they’ve gotten used to each other’s presence and scent, you can allow them to interact in the same space. As before, make sure these interactions are closely monitored for aggressive behaviors. Though it is much more unlikely that kittens will exhibit aggressive behaviors, it’s not impossible. Additionally, kittens can be troublemakers, so they should be observed anyways. Make sure that each kitten has a separate food bowl, water bowl, and place to sleep to avoid them feeling overwhelmed and competitive.
You don’t need to worry as much about limiting their interaction time after they meet, unlike with adult cats. While you should gradually introduce adult cats, it is generally okay to allow kittens to exist in the same space after they’ve been introduced through a barrier. However, as is the motto of this article, make sure to monitor their interactions closely.
Final Thoughts on Introducing Cats
While it can be stressful to introduce a new cat to your current cat, it is most important to be patient. Time is your greatest asset and will allow both cats to be comfortable. By following these steps – creating separate and shared spaces, allowing them to get used to each other’s scents, and closely monitoring interactions – you will create an environment that is ideal for both cats.
Whether you are introducing adult cats, kittens and cats, or just kittens, it is important to understand that this change may be stressful for both parties. Take it slow, be cautious, and be patient. Hopefully this blog post is helpful to you as you navigate the introduction process. Though it can be stressful and time consuming, it will be worth it to ensure both of your cats are happy and comfortable with each other.
Sources
https://www.paws.org/
https://www.jacksongalaxy.com/
https://www.humanesociety.org/
https://1stpetvet.com/
https://pets.thenest.com/
Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
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