Cats have always been solitary animals. Despite this, we force them to interact with each other.
Most felines do not like to share and will, therefore, protect their territory. They also dislike change. These aforementioned character traits make it very difficult to introduce new cats to each other – but not impossible!
Remember that scents are an extremely important tool for cat communication. With the above in mind, follow these guidelines to get your cats better acquainted.
Keep your new cat separate from your other cat
It is your responsibility to keep both cats safe. Introducing them the wrong way or introducing them too early, can result in harmful fights or other undesirable behaviour.
To allow the newcomer to get accustomed to their surroundings, keep him or her in a separate room. Provide them with their own litter box, kitten food, water, scratching post, toys, and bed. Do this for several days to a week (this will depend on your cat. Remember each cat is different and will respond differently).
You can feed the cats at each side of the door to make them familiar with each other’s scent. Eating is an enjoyable activity. So, by doing this, they will associate each other’s smell with something pleasant.
If the cats show signs of distress, you can place the bowls further away from the door and then gradually move them closer as they become calmer.
Make sure you spend plenty of one-on-one time with the original resident as well as your new kitty.
Get them familiar with each other’s scents
Every cat has their own unique scent. To familiarise each cat with the other’s scent you can do the following:
Get two clean cloths (each a different colour). Assign a red cloth, for example, to one cat and a blue cloth to the other so that you don’t get them mixed up. Then, every chance you get to interact with each cat, you can rub the assigned cloth all over them. Do this several times.
After doing this repeatedly each day, for several days, you can now get a plastic bag and place both cloths inside, sealing it closed. Shake the bag to ensure the scents mix, transferring from one cloth to another.
Now rub the mixed cloths over their bodies, or place them underneath each food bowl.
If either of the cats show signs of distress during this process, it is important that you take a step back and restart.
Don’t force anything – slow and steady wins the race!
Be very patient when introducing cats. Do not rush into introductions.
Once your cats are comfortable with scent swapping you can consider introducing them.
Always ensure there is a place for them to escape to (an elevated cat bed, cardboard box, scratch poles etc.).
Cats love boxes! This simple and inexpensive tool can provide security and personal space for your cats. Simply put out some empty boxes of various sizes and allow them to explore. You may find that the cats take comfort in hiding out in these little fortresses, which can have a calming effect on them.
Withhold food for 2-3 hours to help them work up a healthy apetite. Place the separate bowls into a single room and let them eat together. There must ALWAYS be one more bowl than there are cats in the household. Never withhold fresh water from them.
Again, do not rush any interaction.
Initially, after feeding, you can seperate them. But their periods of interaction can be extended, depending on their response towards each other.
If you are not at home, rather leave the new cat in his/her room.
Expect the unexpected
If you are really lucky, your cats will just get along. However, this is seldom the case.
If they show any antagonistic behaviour towards each other, the whole process needs to start again.
A few key things to note are:
- Always have one more water and food bowl than cats in the house.
- Always have one more scratch pad than cats in the house.
- Always have one more litter tray than cats in the house.
- Never get physically involved in a cat fight. You WILL get injured.
- Always consult a veterinary behaviourist first, if you are unsure of what to do, or struggle with the guidelines above.