How to Introduce Cats Properly (8 Steps)

how to introduce cats properly

Bringing a new cat into your home can be exciting but also make you worry. You might picture your cats fighting, hissing, or one of them hiding under the furniture.

The best approach is a slow introduction, which prioritizes the comfort and safety of both cats. We have often used this method when introducing new cats to our household.

It has always worked for us, helping us create a peaceful home for multiple cats, even those with very different personalities.

Finding the Right Match

a playful fluffy young gray kitten with bright

Finding a good match between cats can make the introduction process much smoother. Think about your current cat’s personality, age, and energy level.

A hyper kitten might be too disruptive if your cat is older and enjoys a calm environment. Kittens learn how to interact with other cats between the ages of 2 and 9 weeks. This is a key learning period for them. What a cat experiences during this time will affect how they interact with other cats later in life.

Knowing your cat’s background and personality can help you decide if it would enjoy a companion and what kind of cat would be a good fit for your household.

A shy cat might do well with a gentle friend who respects their need for space. Older cats often prefer the company of other older cats who also like a more relaxed lifestyle. Young, energetic cats might love having another playful cat around to keep them busy.

The 8 Steps for Successful Cat Introductions

A slow, step-by-step process is the best way to introduce cats. Going too fast can create fear and aggression, making it much harder for your cats to get along.

Each step might take days or weeks, depending on the individual cat. Be patient. Your cats’ well-being is the most important thing.

1. Prep Before the Adoption

a clean cozy well lit room with a comfortable ca

Before you bring your new cat home, set up a separate room just for them. This room should be a place your current cat doesn’t go to often. Fill it with everything your new cat needs.

This includes new bedding, a cat tree, toys, food and water bowls, and a litter box. Using new items is best. It helps avoid any scent issues that could cause stress for the new cat.

Keep the door to this room closed. Let your resident cat get used to the idea that this room is now off-limits. This creates a safe space for your new cat to settle in.

It prevents any negative interactions from happening right away. By giving the new cat their territory, you are helping them feel secure in a new and unfamiliar environment.

2. Keep the Cats Separated

a newly adopted slightly timid calico cat inside

When you bring your new cat home, take it directly to its special room. Don’t let it meet your current cat yet. Even seeing each other at this early stage can be stressful. It is best to avoid any contact whatsoever when the new cat first arrives.

Your new cat needs time to adjust to their new surroundings. This time apart is very important. Let the new cat relax and explore their safe space without feeling overwhelmed. They need a chance to get used to the new smells and sounds of your home.

3. Scent Swap

two cats a curious orange tabby and a cautious bl

This is where you start letting the cats get used to each other’s smell. Begin by letting them sniff each other under the door. Pay close attention to how they act.

A relaxed cat will have its ears forward and a loose body posture. Its tail might be straight up or curled gently.

A stressed cat might have flattened ears, a stiff body, and fur that is standing on end. It might also show its teeth or have very wide eyes.

Once they seem comfortable with sniffing under the door, swap items between their spaces. You can use things like blankets or toys.

This lets them get used to each other’s scent without any direct contact, which could be too much for them at this point.

You can also rub a cloth on one cat’s face to collect their scent and then let the other cat smell it. This helps them connect the smell with a specific cat.

4. Let Them Meet Through a Barrier

a ginger cat and a calico cat separated by a tall

After they are comfortable with each other’s smell, let them see each other. Use a baby gate or a screen door.

This way, they can see each other but not touch. When they are calm near the barrier, give them treats and praise. Positive reinforcement is a great training tool.

This step helps them associate each other’s presence with good things, like treats. At first, keep these sessions short.

As the cats become more comfortable around each other, you can make them longer. It is a good idea to do this several times a day.

5. Remove the Barrier

a gray cat and a white cat cautiously sniffing eac

Once your cats are consistently calm when they see each other, you can remove the barrier. Allow them to have brief, supervised time together.

Start with just a few minutes of sniffing each other. It is helpful to have two people present during this stage, so each person can focus on one cat.

Separate them immediately if you see any signs of aggression, such as hissing, growling, or swatting. This step might take many tries over days or weeks. Go at a pace that both cats are comfortable with. Do not rush this part of the introduction.

6. Conduct Supervised Playtime

a brown tabby cat and a siamese cat playing togeth

Use interactive toys, like fishing pole toys or laser pointers, to encourage your cats to play near each other. This helps them associate each other with fun and positive experiences.

Offer treats and praise when they play nicely together or show friendly behaviors, such as gentle batting or grooming each other. Playing is an excellent way for cats to bond.

Give them short breaks during playtime. This prevents them from getting too excited or overwhelmed. Supervised playtime is a good way to build a positive relationship between your cats.

7. Allow the Cats To Interact Unsupervised

a black and white cat and a tortoiseshell cat peac

When your cats have had several good play sessions without any problems, you can start letting them spend time together without you watching. Begin with short periods. Gradually make it longer as they get along better.

Make sure each cat has their own food, water, litter box, and resting places. This helps prevent fights over resources. Having their things can give each cat a sense of security.

A camera can be useful for watching them when you’re not there. This lets you make sure they aren’t fighting. If you see any problems, you may need to go back to supervised visits for a while.

8. Tips for Successful Introductions

a close up of a feliway pheromone diffuser plugged

Every cat is different. Be prepared to adjust how quickly you introduce them. If you see signs of stress, go back to the previous step.

Products that release calming pheromones, like Feliway diffusers, can be helpful for some cats. These products mimic natural cat pheromones and can create a more relaxing environment.

Your goal is for your cats to live together peacefully. They don’t have to be best friends. Provide enough resources for each cat to prevent competition.

You should have one more litter box than the number of cats you have. Also, make sure there are plenty of toys, beds, and high places for them to rest.

Assessing a Cat’s Personality Before Adoption

a shelter worker with a kind smile holding a purri

Many animal shelters test cats to see what kind of personality they have. These tests can tell you if a cat is playful, shy, or good with other animals.

Shelter workers can also tell you a lot about a cat’s personality because they spend time with them every day. They can often offer insights into a cat’s behavior and preferences that you would not be able to gather on your own.

When you visit a shelter, ask if you can hold the cat you are interested in. See how they react to being touched and held.

A cat that purrs or snuggles is probably relaxed. A cat that stiffens up or tries to get away might be scared or stressed. These observations can help you determine if the cat’s temperament is a good fit for your home.

Influence of Breed on Sociability

a fluffy blue eyed ragdoll cat with a calm expres

Some cat breeds are known for being friendly. Ragdolls and Maine Coons are two examples. Other breeds, like the Turkish Van, can be more aggressive. Studies show that a cat’s behavior can be inherited, just like their physical traits. This includes how social they are.

Knowing about breed traits can help you pick a cat that will get along with your current cat. But each cat is an individual. Their personality can vary a lot, even within the same breed. So, while breed can be a factor, it is not the only thing to think about.

Final Thoughts

Introducing cats the right way takes time and patience. Following these steps and paying close attention to your cats’ behavior will help. You can create a peaceful home with more than one cat.

The goal is for your cats to live together comfortably, even if they don’t become close friends. With careful planning, you can successfully add a new cat to your family and create a happy environment for everyone.

Fauzan Suryo Wibowo batik, black and white

Fauzan Suryo Wibowo

Fauzan is the founder of Meongnium and a passionate cat enthusiast. With years of experience in online publishing, including managing pet-focused platforms, he's dedicated to providing cat lovers with accurate and engaging information.

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