How to Introduce a New Pet Cat

Cats tend to be territorial and can find change stressful. Their reactions to new situations can be unpredictable. If a cat has lived many years alone, introducing it to your home and pets may take time. On the other hand, a kitten newly away from its litter mates may be eager for a dog or cat companion and the resident pets are quite likely to treat the little one with care.There are steps you can take to make the introduction go smoothly. In extreme cases, this can take up to a few months, though most animals learn to tolerate each other within a few days or weeks.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat carrier
  • New cat
  • New food dishes
  • New litter box(es)
  • Current pet toys, litter boxes, food dishes
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Instructions

  1. Introducing a New Cat to Resident Cats

    • 1

      Confine the new cat in its own room. Provide its own litter box, food, water, bed and toys.

    • 2

      Feed your cats near the closed door to the confined cat's room. With each feeding, move the bowls closer to the door until the cats are able to eat calmly directly on either side of the door.

    • 3
      As you move the food dishes closer to the door, gauge the cats' reactions.

      Prop open the door to the new cat's room using wedges (to prevent the door slipping open unexpectedly) just enough so the cats can see each other. Continue feeding the cats on either side of the door. If there's lots of hissing and growling, move the bowls away from the door and continue to move the bowls closer to the propped door gradually.

    • 4

      Use a blanket in all of the cats' beds and switch them back and forth between the beds. This will familiarize the different scents to the cats.

    • 5

      See if the cats might play together with a toy. Tie a toy to each end of a string and place it so there is a toy on either side of the door. The cats may bat at the toy (feel free to use catnip toys to encourage playfulness) and even end up playfully pawing at each other through the door.

    • 6

      When the new cat is eating regularly and using the litter box without problems in her own room, let it out to explore the house while keeping the other cat(s) in another room. The cats will be able to explore the household scents without face-to-face meetings.

    • 7

      Add another litter box and scoop and plan on cleaning the boxes more frequently.

    • 8

      Use Feliway spray, available at pet stores, as it mimics relaxing pheromones cats exude from their cheek glands. Spraying furniture and places where cats find each other can make things go more smoothly.

    • 9

      Let the new cat out while the other cats are around. Be prepared for some hissing, spitting and growling. If a fight breaks out, do not interfere directly. More often than not, cats introduced in this manner are able to tolerate each other quite well in time.

    Introducing a New Cat to a Resident Dog

    • 10

      Confine the new cat in its own room before introducing it to your dog. Given the chance, most dogs will want to chase cats playfully, and most cats are afraid of this behavior. As with the cats place the food dishes on either side of the confined cat's door. Move the dishes steadily closer to the door until all animals are able to eat peacefully.

    • 11

      Use a leash and commands (sit, down, stay) with your dog for the first several face-to-face meetings. Start on opposite sides of the room. Use praise and treats as appropriate after each meeting.

    • 12

      Move the animals closer together when both animals are tolerating each other without aggression or uncontrollable behavior.

    • 13

      Use a cat carrier or crate to keep it in position for the meetings if the cat does not like being held.