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The cliché cat personality is standoffish and temperamental. While not every kitty possesses these traits, it is the stereotype for a reason. Cats tend not to like sudden changes and can be slow to warm up to newcomers. So, when it comes to how to introduce cats, you need to be careful. Going too quickly can have lasting negative effects on the relationship between the two cats, your cats’ health, and the peacefulness of your household.
How to Find the Right Match for Your Cats
If you have or have ever had roommates, you know that some people get along better than others and living with someone that you don’t see eye-to-eye with can be difficult. Well, the same is true for your feline friends. Introducing cats will likely go more smoothly if the two cats are similar in personality, energy level, and age.
Socialization is Key to Cats Coexisting
There are few things more important to a cat’s ability to get along with others than that early socialization period. This is when a kitten is 2-10 weeks old and their mother and littermates teach them about the world and how to interact with others. If you take a young kitten home, socialization continues with you helping them navigate relationships with other people and animals, and how to handle new experiences. A kitten that hasn’t been socialized is more likely to have negative or inappropriate interactions that your other cat is likely to frown on. Socialization is a big part of early kitten care.
Match Your Cats’ Personalities and Ages
People (and cats) tend to gravitate towards personalities similar to their own. While being carbon copies of each other isn’t ideal either, you want to be sure not to introduce a rambunctious and wild kitten to your adult couch cat. There’s bound to be some pushback! Before bringing home a new cat, get a feel for your cat’s personality so that you can best match it in your new feline friend.
The same goes for ages. Most senior cats aren’t going to take to a young kitten and most kittens are going to need more than what a senior cat can safely give them. This is especially true until a kitten calms down with age and learns how to interact appropriately even when their energy cup is overflowing.
How to Match Compatible Felines
Though it may be tempting, bringing home another cat shouldn’t be an impulse decision. To make the cat introduction as smooth as possible, it's important to invest time in research and planning.
First, get to know your cat. Make a note of their habits and routine, such as how long they sleep, if they enjoy playtime, and how social they are with you and other animals. Next, choose a shelter, rescue or breeder that takes the time to know their cats as well.
By the time a kitten is ready for a new home, their personality will be shining through. An adult cat’s personality will also be evident through easy observation. Anyone that pays attention to it will be able to determine which cats are more active, which are more sedate, which ones are timid, which are outgoing, and which ones are social. All of these traits can then be considered and best matched to your cat at home for the best outcome.
Preparing for the New Cat
Now it’s time to lay the groundwork with your kitty at home. Start by keeping things as consistent as possible. Feeding times, play times, and wake up and bedtimes should stick to a schedule as much as possible. The last thing your cat needs when dealing with a new introduction is an untrustworthy schedule.
You’ll then want to set up a room just for the new kitty. Offer a litter box, bed, food and water bowls, and toys. Allow your cat to investigate the new room, but make sure they still have their own things in their own place.
You may also want to start bringing home items with unfamiliar smells, especially if you can get something that smells like your soon-to-be cat. Dogs are often touted for their smelling ability, but a cat’s sense of smell ranks right up there. Getting them used to the smell of the new kitty can help smooth some of the roughness that can come with introducing cats to each other.
The same goes for your new cat. If possible, bring a bed or toys to the shelter or breeder so that the new cat gets a sneak sniff at their future roommate.
Now is also the time to get pet insurance. It’s never too early to get a pet covered with health insurance to help with some of the costs that come with illnesses or injuries. This can be especially helpful during the introduction period, as unfamiliar environments and potential stress can sometimes lead to unexpected vet visits.
In addition to a comprehensive pet insurance plan, consider adding on an optional pet wellness program. This program is not insurance but is designed to help you budget for routine veterinary care, such as kitten vaccinations, and can provide peace of mind knowing your new kitten is receiving the preventive care they need.
Introducing Cats Step by Step
You have the room set up, there’s been some scent communication, now it’s time to get down to it. Bring the new cat home but know that the introduction process is far from over.
Start by keeping the new cat in their designated space. Keep the door closed but allow your cat to come near and sniff and listen. They may initially respond with a puffed-up tail and a hiss but reassure them with a pet and then move about your day.
Allow both kitties to get used to the other’s presence through the closed door. During this time, you can continue with your scent swapping strategies by letting each one smell the other’s things. You can even allow each cat to explore the other’s territory while one is locked away. Turned up lips and raised hackles are to be expected.
Once each cat’s dander no longer rises at the scent and sound of the other cat, allow them a visual. Keep your new cat in their designated room but place a see-through barrier between them instead of the closed door. This can be a screen, window, or clear piece of plastic. Both cats can approach at their own will and give each other a good visual inspection. It may take another few days for both cats to get comfortable with this.
When there’s no ill will with seeing each other, you can allow your cats to interact when you are present. Allow them into the same room, preferably on neutral territory. Keep the interaction brief and try to end on a good note.
Continue with supervised interactions until you’re confident that both cats are comfortable. Now you can let the kitties go wherever they’re allowed in your home together or apart. Make sure there are enough litter boxes, food and water bowls and beds to go around and give each cat a little one-on-one time every day.
Tips for Introducing Cats
Introducing cats the proper way can seem very time-consuming, grueling even, but it will be well worth it when both cats emerge comfortable with each other and possibly even friendly. During this process, you’ll need to be able to recognize when one cat just isn’t having it. Introducing cats can be stressful, potentially causing health issues or even aggression in cats.
Don’t be afraid to back up and repeat a step if either cat is stressed or becomes aggressive. A cat’s body language says a lot, so if either cat is becoming overly tense, is growling or angerly twitching their tail, it’s likely time to stop the interaction and give everyone a break.
While patience goes a long way in introducing cats, some cat pairs may need a little more. Speak to your vet about using calming supplements or products to help ease the process.
Introducing Cats Can Go Well!
Introducing cats isn’t all cuddles and purrs. It can actually be a pretty tough and lengthy process. Even with the best laid plans, sometimes it just isn’t going to work out, especially if one cat is more on the cantankerous side. Just as having surprise houseguests can be stressful, bringing home a new cat on a whim isn’t something you should do to either cat. Invest time in the preparation period as well as the introduction phase and consult a veterinarian along the way if you have any questions.