Most cats are independent and often are reluctant to accept a new family pet into their surroundings. However, with hard-work and patience, you can help you new cat adapt to its new environment, while helping your other cat adjust to having a second cat in the home. Most cats will learn to live with one another and some even will become best friends; however there is the chance they might have a hard time getting along. Here are a few tips to help aid in the process of introducing your new cat to your existing family cat:
The first two weeks:
- Always put the new cat in a separate, confined area for at least the first week of having her/him home. This allows them to get used to the scent of their new environment, and the comfort of not being bullied by another jealous cat.
- Make sure to have separate food and water bowls in the confined area, and a separate litter box
- It is recommended that you allow the cats to interact during the first week for no longer than an hour per day. If they begin to show hostility, do not interrupt them. This is a normal process in which they establish dominance, and it is crucial to their future in getting along and knowing who's in charge. However, if they become extremely aggressive, you can intervene by clapping or making a loud noise. Never physically get in the middle of their fight as you may be the unintentional victim.
- Also, during the first week introduce the new cat to your other cats scent, and vice-verse. Whether it's swapping out their toys or blankets, scent familiarity will lessen the amount of stress on each cat when they encounter one another.
Week 3:
- By week 3, you should be able to let the new cat out of confinement and both cats should have equal freedom in the home.
- During the first few weeks they are together all-day, make sure you pay close attention to the food they are consuming and their behavior towards one another
- If you find one cat is consuming nearly all the food you will need to separate them during their feeding times. It is recommended you place their separate food dishes in separate areas of the home. You can also have one of the cats eat at a higher level than the other (i.e. countertops, tables, etc).
- Keep the second litter box in the area the new cat was originally confined to. If you allow both cats to use only one litter-box they will most likely at some point harass one another while they are in the litter-box. Having a litter-box in a separate room gives them both the privacy they need.
It usually takes cats a few weeks to get used to one another. Don't be surprised if weeks go by and they still are showing irritation with one another. Cats are loners and it takes them longer to accept a new cat in the home than it does dogs. Some cats will quickly accept the new, but many will need a few weeks to adjust to the change. Sometime it can even take months, but eventually they will learn to live with one another. Don't feel bad if they do not get along right away. Patience is the key. Your guidance and love is important to both cats during the first few weeks, and make sure you give them both the same amount of attention.
