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Fur-st Impressions: How to Introduce a New Cat to Your Feline Family

Fur-st Impressions: How to Introduce a New Cat to Your Feline Family

Adopting a new kitty can be very exciting, but if you already have a cat, it can have its challenges. Cats are territorial creatures, so before your new feline comes home, you need to do some planning and prepare to be patient. You can help your cats form positive relationships and maybe even become best friends with the correct attitude and approach. 

Understanding Cat Behavior and Territoriality

Before diving into the introductions, it’s essential to understand how cats view and mark their territory. Cats are very territorial animals, marking their area through scent. There are several methods to communicate ownership and establish boundaries. These methods include:

  • Scent Marking with Glands: Cats have scent glands on various parts of their bodies. These glands are located on their cheeks, forehead, and paws. They are being friendly when they rub these body parts on people and objects, leaving their scent behind.

  • Scratching: When cats scratch surfaces, they leave behind both visual marks and scent from the glands in their paw pads.

  • Urine Spraying: This is a less desirable form of marking territory. Their intention is not as friendly, and it’s annoying to you.  

  • Bunting: Cats often "head-butt" objects or people. The scent from the glands on their head reinforces their claim over their environment. 

It’s important to introduce a new cat to the household gradually. This allows both cats to adjust without feeling threatened. 

Tips to introduce your cats to each other gradually 

1: Prepare for the New Cat’s Arrival

It’s essential to prepare a separate space for your new feline. A small bedroom is usually best. In that room, you need to place the essentials, including:

This room will serve as your new kitty’s safe zone while also blocking face-to-face encounters between cats, which can be overwhelming and stressful for both.

2: Gradual Scent Introduction

  • Since cats communicate heavily through scent, exchanging scents is a great way to be introduced to each other. Begin by swapping toys, bedding, and blankets. This is a very non-threatening way for each cat to become familiar with the other’s scent. 

  • You can also rub a clean cloth against each cat’s cheeks and place each fabric in the other cat’s space. Do this daily. 

  • Likewise, take an article of your clothing (dirty) and rub one cat down with it, then the other. You will be transferring your own scent back and forth from one cat to the other. 

3: Controlled Visual Introductions

After getting each cat familiar with the other’s scent, it is time for them to see each other. Use a screen door, a baby gate, or a slightly open door to allow the cats to view each other without physical contact. Monitor them closely. 

  • Positive signs: Curiosity, relaxed body language, or playful behavior.

  • Negative signs: Hissing, growling, flattened ears, or puffed tails.

If either cat shows signs of aggression or fear, close the barrier and give them more time to adjust to each other’s scent before trying again.

4: Supervised Face-to-Face Meetings

After both cats get comfortable seeing each other through a barrier, it’s time to try having face-to-face meetings. Start with short sessions in a neutral area of the house. Keep the following tips in mind:

  • Have treats or toys on hand to create positive associations.

  • Use a calm voice to reduce tension.

  • If any aggression occurs, separate the cats and try again later. Be careful when separating them so that you don’t get hurt. 

Gradually increase the length of these meetings as the cats become more comfortable with each other. Always end the sessions positively with some tasty treats to reinforce good behavior.

5: Monitor Behavior During Full Integration

Once the cats have had successful interactions, you can allow them to share the same space. You must monitor them closely during this meeting. Look for signs of stress or tension, such as hiding, swatting, or excessive vocalizations.

6. Separate Resources

Cats must have their own resources even if they don’t use them. If you have more than one cat, you need more than one litter box. In fact, you should have one more than the number of cats you have. You should also have a litter box on every level of your house. The last thing you want is for your cat to go outside the box. The same goes for feeding locations. Have more than one area where their food is kept. 

Addressing Challenges and Setbacks

As with anything else, you can plan endlessly and something can still go wrong. 

  • Aggression: If the cats show persistent aggression, separate them and return to the scent-swapping stage. Consult a veterinarian or animal behaviorist if the aggression continues. Use this tactic anytime things aren’t going well. Take a step back.

  • Stress: Signs of stress in cats include changes in appetite, hiding, and excessive grooming. Provide plenty of hiding spots and vertical spaces, like cat trees, to help your cats feel secure.

  • Health Concerns: Ensure all cats are up to date on vaccinations and have been checked for parasites or illnesses before the introduction. Health issues can exacerbate tension between cats.

Encouraging Bonding

While not all cats will become best friends, many can learn to coexist peacefully with time and patience. You can encourage bonding by:

  • Engaging in group play sessions using interactive toys like feather wands or laser pointers.

  • Offering treats when the cats are in the same room to create positive associations.

  • Providing ample vertical space, such as shelves or cat trees, gives each cat their territory within shared spaces.

When to Seek Professional Help

If the introduction process is not progressing despite your efforts, or if the cats’ behavior becomes increasingly aggressive, it may be time to consult a professional. A veterinarian or certified animal behaviorist can assess the situation and provide tailored advice to help your cats adjust.

Long-Term Harmony

Introducing new cats to each other can be challenging, but it can be done with the right attitude and a gradual introduction process. Many cats become best buddies; others learn to tolerate each other. Remember, every cat is unique, and it will take a different amount of time for them to settle down peacefully with another cat. Celebrate small successes along the way, and always prioritize the well-being of all your feline companions.

Shelby Neely headshot

About the Author

Dr. Shelby Neely is a freelance writer and a licensed veterinarian with a BM and MA in music and a minor in Psychology.  She has focused her veterinary career with a commitment to integrating traditional medicine with holistic, humane therapies. She strives to enhance pet health through a blend of evidence-based methods and personalized care strategies that contribute to animals’ happiness and well-being.