Recommendations for Cat Introductions
It’s important to have realistic expectations when introducing a new pet to a resident pet. Some cats are more social than others.
For example, an 8 year old cat that has never been around other animals may never learn to share their territory (and their humans!). However, an 8 week old kitten separated from their mom and littermates for the first time might prefer to have a cat or dog companion.
Cats are territorial and need to be introduced to other animals very slowly in order to give them time to get used to each other before there is a face-to-face confrontation. Slow introductions help prevent fearful and aggressive problems from developing.
When you introduce pets to each other, one of them may send “play” signals that can be misinterpreted by the other pet. If those signals are interpreted as aggression by one animal, then you should handle the situation as “aggressive”.
Some tips:
Provide a “safe place” for each cat. Do this by observing where they like to go when they feel anxious, then allow access to that space or create a similar one. Make sure each cat has access to a litter box, water, and food (if free fed) in their safe space.
Wipe one towel gently over one cat and put under the other cat’s food bowl and/or sleeping places. You can do with both cats.
Feed the cats on opposite sides of the door. This will help each cat associate good things with the other cat’s presence.
Switch living spaces. Keep one cat confined to a single room and allow the other to free roam the rest of the house. Periodically switch them. this will allow each cat to “get to know” the other scent in a non-threatening way.
Don’t let the cats free together until they are eating peaceably together on either side of a door that has been secured propped open 2 inches wide.
Make sure each cat has an escape route to their safety place. An escape route only works if the cat knows how to use it, so don’t pick a route you have never seen the cat take.
Pay attention to your cat’s body language. If the cat is threatening you or another person/animal take the hint and leave them alone until they are calmer. If you need to get them out of the situation, try “herding” the cat, using a larger object between you and them, walking close behind the cat.
Avoid comforting/soothing the cat when they are acting fearful. Touch a cat who is fearful or anxious will more likely result in a cat bite than reassure the cat.
Keep the cats separated when you are not able to supervise them. If the cat frequently has negative interactions, it will be much harder to retrain them to tolerate each other’s presence.
Never use hands or other body parts to split up two animals that are fighting. Throw a towel over the cat who appears to be the aggressor. A loud startling noise or as a last resort use a squirt bottle with water and small amount of vinegar to break up fights.
Cease all punishment. Punishment is likely to make the problem worse.