When the cats notice each other, say their names and toss treats to them, aiming the treats behind them. Have one cat and one person on each side of the door, and start the introduction by setting each cat down a few feet away from the screen or gates. If you can’t use a screen door, you can try using two baby gates positioned in the door jam, one above the other.Īsk a friend or family member to help you with the introduction. One method is to replace the door with a temporary screen door so that the cats can see each other. Eventually the cats may play “paws” under the door with each other.Īfter a week or so, assuming that you see no signs of aggression at the door (no hissing, growling, etc.), you can introduce the cats to each other. Encourage them to paw at toys under the door. After a few more days, play with each of the cats near the door. After the towel carries both cats’ scents, bring the towel back to the first cat and rub her with it again. Some behaviorists suggest rubbing the cats separately with the same towel to intermix their scents. This also allows the new cat to explore a different section of your home. In addition to regular cat food, feed the cats extra-special treats near the door as well, like tiny pieces of tuna, salmon, cheese, chicken or liver.Īfter two to three days, switch the cats’ locations so they can investigate each other’s smell. Feed the cats near the door that separates them so they learn that coming together (even though they can’t see each other) results in a pleasant experience. Each cat should have her own food and water bowl, litter box, scratching post, bed, etc. The two cats should be able to smell and hear-but not see or touch-each other. For this reason, it’s best to separate your resident cat from your new cat when you first bring her home so that you can control their initial meeting. If two cats display aggression during their first meeting, this may set the mood for their future relationship. The first impression a new cat makes when she meets your resident cat is critical. Be aware that the more cats you have, the higher the likelihood that there will be conflicts among them. The individual personalities of the cats are more important than any other factor, such as sex, age or size. Some cats are very social and enjoy living with other cats, while others prefer solitary lives. ![]() Unfortunately, there are no reliable guides for deciding the best matches among cats. However, it’s impossible to predict whether or not any two individual cats will get along. If your cat has lived harmoniously with other cats in the past, the odds are good that she’ll adjust to a newcomer. If your resident cat becomes aggressive when she sees other cats outside your home, you’ll probably have a difficult time introducing a new cat into your household. Many cats who don’t become buddies learn to avoid each other, but some cats fight when introduced and continue to do so until one of the cats must be re-homed. Although some cats certainly become close friends, others never do. It takes most cats eight to 12 months to develop a friendship with a new cat. Following the initial introduction, it can take a very long time for a relationship to grow. If you’re bringing a new cat into your home, be patient. ![]() Considering this natural behavior of cats, it isn’t surprising that it can be very difficult to introduce a new cat into an established cat’s territory, even when that territory is your home. They don’t live in groups or even pairs, and they don’t seek out contact with other cats. They only occasionally interact with other cats. Within these territories, cats explore, hunt and scavenge for food alone. They maintain far larger territories than most people realize, and these territories often contain a variety of environments, such as forests, farmlands, urban gardens and yards. Free-ranging and feral cats lead complex and busy lives.
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