Tips for Presenting Two Cats

Adding a new member to your feline family is often more exciting for you than your current cat. Although they are solitary by nature, most cats eventually learn to accept or at least tolerate newcomers. Because they are so territorial, how you introduce your new cat to your existing cat can mean the difference between success or “catastrophe.”

The introduction process can take anywhere from 10 to 12 days for kittens and very young cats, up to 12 weeks for older cats. It all depends on the personality of each cat. Be sure to pay close attention to your “first” cat. This will help him feel confident that he is not competing for your affection.

Confine your new cat to a “safe” room until the introduction process is complete. It should be a small room, like a bathroom or a small room that your current cat rarely visits. Furnish it with a bed, scratching post, food, water and litter box.

At first, your first cat may hiss and meow at the cat on the other side of the door. Just ignore it and walk away. Never punish him for aggressive vocalizing, it will only cause problems between the two cats. Be sure to praise and pet your first cat when he acts calm when he is around the new cat’s room.

After a few days, take a rag or washcloth and rub it on your new cat while petting and playing with him. Use a different rag to do the same for your first cat. At feeding time, place each cat’s scented rag under the other cat’s bowl. This will help them associate the other cat’s scent with something positive: food. Many small feedings each day will help them get used to the smell more quickly. Be sure to renew the scent of the rags every day.

You can then feed them closer. Keep your new cat in her “safe” room with the door securely closed, and place each cat’s bowl on her side of the door. Make sure you feed them at the same time. Once you both eat without growing or hissing, you can move on to the next level of the introduction.

Lock your first cat up in a room she likes to frequent, making sure she has water, her favorite food, and a litter box. Let your new cat explore the house. After a few hours, put him back in his room and let your first cat out. He will probably hiss and whine when he smells the scent of another cat on HIS territory. Again, be patient and praise him when he acts calm. Repeat this activity at least once a day until both cats are comfortable.

Before allowing the cats full access to each other, let them meet face-to-face in a safe situation. Use two hard plastic doorstops to open the door to the new cat’s room 2 to 3 inches. Check that the door cannot be opened any further and that no cats can stick their heads through the opening. The goal is to give them the opportunity to paw at each other and even go face to face without the opportunity for full body contact. Feed each cat on their respective side of the door. Once they no longer hiss or growl at each other, you can try playing with the two of them in the same room.