Important resources for cats
If you have an existing resident cat, ensure that all their routines remain the same where possible. Shut the new cat in the room that the resident cat uses the least.
When introducing two cats to each other for the first time, it is best to give each cat a separate room. In each room provide each cat with:
• food and water. Cats like to drink away from where they eat, so place the food and water bowls in separate areas sited away from the litter tray
• somewhere to hide. It is very important for cats to have somewhere to hide – eg a cardboard box on its side, or under the bed – particularly when adapting to a new environment
• a viewing platform. Cats love to view their surroundings from a height. You could offer access to high spots eg shelves or the top of a wardrobe window sills. Ensure easy access by placing a stool nearby
• somewhere to sleep – igloo beds, cardboard box, blankets in elevated places
• toys – be aware that a cat may not want to play while they are settling in
• a scratching post – try placing this near to where the cat sleeps as they often like to stretch and scratch after they wake up
• litter tray – placed away from food and water bowls
You can install a facial pheromone diffuser, such as Feliway©, in the area that each cat uses to sleep, to make the environment more reassuring for the cats.
Before introducing the cats physically, introduce them to each
other’s scent. Swap scents by:
• stroking each cat with a separate clean, soft cloth and dabbing it around your home and furniture or leaving the cloth in the cat’s environment to sniff when the cat is ready to investigate• keep swapping the scents until the cats show no reaction to the smell• if the cats avoid the scent cloth, then the scent swapping stage is going to take longer
Keep mixing scents until the cats show no reaction to the smell. You can progress to allowing them to see each other, but not letting them touch or meet one another. Try placing a glass or mesh door between the cats, and allow each cat to approach or hide as they choose. Do not progress to a face-to-face introduction until the cats either ignore each other or show positive feline social behaviour – such as attempting to groom each other or rub heads on each other through the divider.
When it is time to introduce your cats face to face, it helps to:
• ensure easy escape routes are available for both cats, as well as easy access to places higher up, such as furniture or shelves• start in a fairly large room where they can stay at a distance from each other• supervise the cats when they are together• work at a pace that the cats are comfortable with and go back a step if necessary• only introduce for short periods of time during feeding time to help form positive associations with each other, before returning the cats to separate rooms• gradually start to fuss or play with the cats for a short time, so their attention is on you, before putting the food down
If this is tolerated, gradually increase the time they spend together.
It can take anything from a day to many weeks for cats to tolerate each other, so don’t give up if there are some hissing and spitting initially, just go back a step. They are unlikely to fight but have a blanket ready just in case, so you can separate them. Take care to avoid being bitten or scratched as the cats may be quite excited. Don’t chase or shout at them as this will only lead to them associating each other with bad things.
As the cats become more comfortable in each other’s company, try giving them titbits to encourage them to come closer. Choose somewhere where they can escape easily – placing an
object such as a chair between the feeding bowls may help them feel less threatened. Over time, you can move the bowls closer together but do not place them side by side.
object such as a chair between the feeding bowls may help them feel less threatened. Over time, you can move the bowls closer together but do not place them side by side.
Many cats prefer to eat separately to other cats – even those cats in the same social group, as a throwback to their evolutionary past when they would hunt – and eat – separately. Cats can feel vulnerable when they are eating, so place food and water bowls slightly away from the wall, so
the cat has space to sit with its back to the wall and is able to survey the room while eating or drinking.
the cat has space to sit with its back to the wall and is able to survey the room while eating or drinking.