How do I start the process of introducing the cats?

Although bringing a new cat into your house may be a very fulfilling experience, as with everything involving our feline companions, patience, time, and care are needed to make sure that everyone has a stress-free experience, especially if you already have a resident cat.

Since cats are solitary creatures by nature, it’s crucial to recognize that bringing them into the home might be challenging. Furthermore, some cats just don’t want to live with other cats, even when the best care is given. Ensuring the physical and mental well-being of all cats under your care depends on your ability to recognize when this might be the case and take appropriate action.

Don’t be tempted to rush this step; slow, deliberate introductions give both cats the best opportunity of accepting one another and creating a positive connection going forward. In the long run, you’ll be happy you spent the time because not only will you feel better, but the cats’ stress level will also be significantly lower.

Are you prepared to begin? Continue reading for our easy cat introduction steps.

How do I start the process of introducing the cats?

Let your new feline get used to its surroundings. We advise limiting your new cat to a room that isn’t used by your resident cat and that you don’t require constant access to in order to minimize the stress this new family member may experience. Prepare the space with:

Food
Water
Comfortable resting areas with beds
Hiding places
A litter tray
Toys
A scratching post

These must be either brand-new or already owned by the new cat. Stress can result from using some of your resident cat’s possessions; your new cat will detect the scent of another cat on the objects, and your resident cat may get upset when a resource, like a litter pan, is taken away. A synthetic feline face pheromone might also be useful in the spaces where your resident cat spends the majority of its time and in the room where your new cat lives. This helps your new cat settle in more quickly and keeps your resident cat from feeling as though its territory is in danger by fostering feelings of security and familiarity in the physical surroundings.

It will take your new cat a long time to adjust to its new surroundings and let its fragrance permeate the space. How does this occur, then?

Actively – by rubbing the scent gland areas on its face against furniture and on the corner of walls, and by scratching its scratching post.
Passively – by sleeping on bedding and playing with toys.

Your cat will determine how long this acclimatization phase takes; it may range from a few days to a week or two.

The following are indicators that your cat is at ease in its new surroundings:

Friendly behaviour when you enter the room (rubbing against your legs, chirruping, purring, meowing).
Resting on its side with its belly exposed and rolling over.
Playing with toys.
Facial rubbing on furniture, walls, and other items in the room.
Normal eating, drinking, toileting and grooming behaviours.

Consider granting access to a different room or hallway that your resident cat doesn’t frequent if your new cat doesn’t seem to be content with being cooped up in one room. You might need to begin the introduction process earlier if this isn’t feasible.

Signs that your cat is frustrated with being confined to one room include:

Scratching/pawing at the door and windows.
Meowing consistently for several minutes at a time.
Pacing by the door.
Rearing up at the door.
Swiping at you when you try to leave the room.

The separate chamber can eventually be left open, allowing the cats to come and go as they like, provided that both are comfortable. One cat can have exclusive access to a single area if you observe fighting in the future. This gives all of the resident cats access to the entire house, but the afflicted cat is free to utilize its own area and, if needed, stay away from the cat with whom it has been at odds. Cats can enjoy their own area by using vertical spaces like shelves and perches. Additionally, keep in mind that cat interactions can evolve over time. It’s crucial to keep an eye on how your feline companions act among one another and make adjustments as necessary.

When and where should the cats meet?

Step 1: Scent Swapping

Cats can determine whether or not they belong to the same social group by smelling one other. By establishing a shared aroma, scent swapping aims to help the cats identify one another as belonging to the same group. By doing this, both cats get used to each other’s scent before they ever meet, increasing the likelihood that they will accept one another when they do.

Step 2: Allow exploration of each cat’s area

Moving on to the next phase is necessary if scent switching proves to be successful. Start by temporarily limiting your resident cat to a single room of the house (only do this if it won’t upset your cat) and then give your new pet the chance to explore the resident cat’s room. Only until your new cat is completely established in and at ease in its own space can you remove it from its room and let your resident cat explore its surroundings.

Step 3: Allow visual contact

The next step is to let the cats see each other after they are both completely at ease in the house and accustomed to each other’s scent.

This must take place via a physical barrier, such as:

An open door that is inaccessible to cats
A gate for stairs
A barrier made of mesh

When both cats are in each other’s visual presence, they should form favorable connections. Encourage each cat to play with a toy or give them incentives to do this. Without turning into a gazing contest, the cats should be content to go about their daily lives, occasionally glancing at one another. You can let the cats sniff each other through the barrier, but you should divert their attention if they exhibit any unpleasant behaviors, such as growling, hissing, or ear rotation accompanied by rigid body posture. Just use a toy that resembles a fishing rod to entice the person causing the bad behavior to stop. Additionally, keep in mind that punishing your cat for bad behavior will just make them more fearful.

Step 4: Physical, supervised access

You can silently remove or open a barrier after both cats are completely at ease looking at each other across it. When both cats are engaged in a constructive activity, like playing or eating, make sure you do this. Avoid putting two cats together. It is not necessary for the cats to be physically engaging; our goal is for them to feel at ease with one another. Replace the barrier and take a step back if there are any indications of distress or animosity toward one another. Repeat this procedure as frequently as you can if both cats seem at ease with one another.

Step 5: Short periods of free access without supervision

You can grant free, unsupervised access for brief periods of time after completing Step 4 without experiencing any unfavorable behaviors; initially, we advise only a few minutes. Continue to keep your new kitty apart between sessions and repeat this process as often as you can. The amount of time the two cats spend together can be gradually increased if they appear to get along well and feel at peace with one another; just make sure they can withdraw to their separate spaces if necessary. To avoid having to share or feeling competitive with one another, it’s crucial to make sure that every cat has its own supplies (food and water bowls, beds, litter trays, and scratching spots) as well as an additional one, distributed throughout the house.

The separate chamber can eventually be left open, allowing the cats to come and go as they like, provided that both are comfortable. One cat can have exclusive access to a single area if you observe fighting in the future. This gives all of the resident cats access to the entire house, but the afflicted cat is free to utilize their own area and, if needed, stay away from the cat with whom they have a disagreement. Cats can also enjoy their own space by using vertical space, like shelves and perches. Additionally, keep in mind that cat interactions can evolve over time. It’s crucial to keep an eye on your cats’ interactions with one another and make adjustments as necessary.