6 Top Tips for Introducing Cats to Each Other

If you’re thinking about getting another cat, you may be wondering the best way to introduce them to your furry friend and make their transition into your home nice and smooth. We have plenty of tips and tricks to (hopefully) keep your house in perfect feline harmony.

How do I know if I should get another cat?

Not every cat is meant to have a cat sibling! Luckily, there are some ways that your cat will let you know if they’d like a new friend. From their sleep patterns to their appetite, any small changes can mean that your cat is feeling lonely. 

As you know, all cats have different personalities, so pay close attention to your cat’s personality to get a hint as to whether or not they want a cat sibling and what type of cat sibling they’d prefer. Lively cats might want a new kitten friend, while more chill cats might want a slower senior buddy. 

How to introduce a new cat into your home when you have a cat 

Once you’ve decided that ​​getting another cat is right for your household, and you know the best age or personality that would fit in with your cat, it’s time to start preparing for your new addition: 

1. Prep their space
   • Buy some new toys, blankets, new food and water bowls, a new litterbox and a new bed for your new friend, and put them in a secluded room in your house. Keep the door closed even before the new cat arrives to attempt to keep your cat’s scent out of the room. 
2. Keep the cats in their separate spaces
   • Make sure to keep the cats apart as the new cat acclimates to their new home.
3. Scent introduction
   • Bring something from each cat’s space into the other cat’s space so that they can get used to each other’s scents. Pay attention to each cat’s reaction to the other’s scent. 
4. ​​​Introduction through a barrier
   • Let the cats “meet” through a barrier like a gate to get them acclimated to being in the same space. ​​Have lots of treats and toys on both sides of the barrier, and use them to distract and reward each cat to make sure the experience is positive for all. 
5. Supervised introduction
   • Once the cats seem comfortable, remove the barrier and watch them interact carefully for a short amount of time. ​​Continue offering rewards and Applaws treats for happy vibes, ensuring they’re given in separate areas to avoid competition. If there is discomfort and aggression, don’t be discouraged! Replace the barrier and try this step again after a few days have passed. As the supervised visits begin to go well, slowly increase the time of the supervised visits. 
6. Unsupervised time
   • Once the cats are comfortable with each other, give them small bits of unsupervised time together until they’re fully acclimated to sharing their space.

When introducing a new cat into your home, patience is key! Be sure to take the process slowly, taking several days in between steps to make your cats more comfortable. You know your cat’s personality, so watch out for signs of distress. It’s also important for you to remain as calm as possible during this process to not increase either cat’s anxiety. In order to keep your cats’ anxieties low, you may want to get a calming pheromone spray. 

Remain patient, calm, and carefully take these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to a peaceful multi-feline household!