Introducing Cats

Many cat owners imagine adding more cats to their family. But the resident cats may not be as excited about this idea. While cats can live peacefully together, they often need a little help getting to know each other. First impressions matter so make them the best they can be!

What to Expect

Some introductions are more likely to go smoothly than others. Cats with similar energies will be easier to introduce than those with very different personalities. Also cats that have a history of meeting and socializing with new cats will probably adjust more quickly. If your cat grew up with other cats but hasn’t met unfamiliar cats since they were young, they may have trouble accepting a new cat.

If the cats you are trying to introduce may not be an ideal match, don’t despair. The introduction process can still work; you just need to go slower and be prepared to manage the cats’ interactions for longer.

Separation to Promote Togetherness    
When you first bring a new cat into the home, set up a safe space for that cat to stay at first. You want the cat to transition into their new home slowly and to adjust to the space before being introduced to the other animals in the home.  

While the cats are in this separation phase:

  • Set up a routine for all the cats that includes plenty of attention and play.  
  • Place towels or blankets in each cat’s area and then switch them to let the cats get used to each other’s scent. Don’t rub them on the cats though.
  • Once the new cat is comfortable in their space, put the resident cat in another room and allow the new cat to start exploring the rest of the home by themselves.

Do not move on to any further steps until all the cats are showing calm, relaxed behavior. This generally means eating well, using the litter box consistently, playing and interacting with you, and moving around the space with their tail up. 

Dinner Dates    
Once everyone is relaxed in the home and has gotten use to one another’s scents, you’re ready to start dinner dates. A good first impression is everything. Do this by creating a simple association: other cat = food.

If your cats have a scheduled feeding time, do this activity at that time. If they are free-fed, pick a time when they are most likely to be hungry. Get some extra special food or treats that the cats love. Each step may take multiple sessions.

  1. Feed on either side of a closed door.
  2. Place a baby gate covered with a blanket in the doorway and feed on either side. Start with the bowls far enough apart that the cats eat calmly and move them closer slowly.
  3. Move the bowls further apart again. Lift up the blanket for a short time while the cats are eating. Slowly build up time until the blanket is off completely, then move the bowls closer together.

Play Together, Stay Together
The next phase is similar in that you’re still making the “other cat = good things” connection. Now you’ll introduce shared playtime. Have two toys (one in each hand or ask someone else to assist you) so the cats aren’t competing. 

  1. Play with the cats on either side of the gate so the cats are near each other, but still separated. Keep the play sessions short. Always stop on a good note and reward the cats with a treat. 
  2. Gradually increase the amount of time you play with them. 
  3. When the cats are relaxed, remove the gate and continue to play using two toys.

​ Supervision
​ When the cats are able to eat and play together without problems, you should be safe to give them supervised time together without a barrier or distraction. Be alert for signs of tension (staring is a big one) and distract or redirect the cats by pulling out a toy or treats.

Gradually extend the amount of time that you allow the cats to be in the same area under supervision. It may take some time to get to the point where the cats can be unsupervised, but it’s well-worth going slow with the introduction.  Keep up the play routine and continue to offer treats when the cats are relaxed together.

Happily Ever After
Building a relationship between two cats can take time and energy but having a peaceful household is worth the work. The consequences of a bad introduction can set you back a long way so don’t rush things.  

Signs that things are going well include approaching each other with high, relaxed tails, spending time in the same room (other than mealtime), sleeping or playing together, and grooming each other.

With a little work, you can have a happy and peaceful multi-cat household!

This material was written in collaboration with cat behavior consultant Jessica Char.
Learn more at  www.FelineEngineering.com