Lea esta página del internet en español

Indoor Cat Initiative

Introducing a New Cat

Introducing a New Cat The new cat should be given her own room containing the necessities; food, water, a litter box, a scratching post, perch, and toys. This is just like a except that the new cat is not permitted to leave that room, yet. The newcomer should be kept in her room for at least one week. The cats need time to get familiar by smelling one another without coming face to face. Although your cat will smell the new cat's scent on you, you may better acquaint the cats with one another's scent by giving each a towel to lay on and then swapping the towels after a couple of days.

When the cats have gotten familiar with one another's scent, begin feeding them on opposite sides of the closed door. This creates a positive association between food and the other cat's scent. When the cats are eating comfortably at the door you can start introducing visual contact.

Allow gradual visual contact by opening the door a crack. Secure the door so the cats may look at one another but not walk through. It is common for cats to hiss at each other initially but if they become aggressive or extremely hostile close the door and leave them alone for a few hours. Crack the door open again when the cats are relaxed. When they can look at one another calmly, open the door wider. After the cats can look at each other without hissing or becoming agitated, open the door and let them meet while you watch from a distance. If problems occur, return the new cat to her room and close the door. Gradually increase open door time until the cats are comfortable with each other. Keep the room available to the new cat so she has a safe place to retreat to if she feels threatened.