Pet Care Tips
Adding A New Cat
Can't We All Get Along?
How To Introduce Your New Cat or Kitten to Resident Cat(s)
Adding a cat (or two) to your family? Worried about how they'll get along? Worry no more. With a little time, patience and preparation, you can help them get through the adjustment.
Before even bringing your cat or kitten home, set up a "safe room". That would be a closed-in room, like a bedroom, apart from the usual household hustle and bustle. Place the food and water at one end and the litter box at the other end. Also a bed, scratching post and toys.
When all is ready, bring the cat - still in his carrier - into the room. Shut the room door and open the carrier door. Let the new cat come out on his own. Don't pull him out. If he hides under the bed, let him. If he hides in the closet, lethim. This is normal. Remember, cats usually don't like change. A new house and family is definitely a big change for a cat. That's why this is not the time to meet the other pets, the neighbors or explore the entire house. Slow and gradual will help him adjust.
- Connect good feelings with each other's scent. Feed your original pet(s) and the newbie on each side of the closed door, so they can associate something good - like food - with each other's smell. You don't want the bowls so close that it's upsetting.
- Gradually move them closer to the shut door until they are completely comfortable on either side. Another "good feeling" trick is to switch blankets or place each other's blanket under the food bowls. You can also encourage both parties to sniff and get closer to each other with treats and toys.
- Next step, switch. Put original cats in "safe room" and allow the newcomer to explore the house. This can be for one hour or several. May take a couple of days or several.
- Next, prop open the door an inch or two and allow them to see each other. Only do this if they are relaxed. Reward with treats and toys. If stressed, stop and go slower with briefer exposures and the door more closed.
