How to Bring New Cats into Your Home: A Simple Guide

Bringing a new cat into your home is kind of a big deal for your existing cat(s). Why? Well, because your resident cats might see the new furball as more of a threat than a pal at first. It's not the dream start to a beautiful friendship, but that's just how cats roll. The good news is, if you stick to these guidelines, your new cat stands a good chance of being accepted by the current cat crew. At least, you'll hopefully get some peaceful coexistence, and if you're lucky, a bit of bonding.

First off, think about what your current cat needs. How much energy do they have? It's a good idea to adopt a cat around the same age or with a similar energy level. For instance, your older cat might not be thrilled with a super playful kitten bouncing around all the time.

Consider your cat's experience with other cats too. If they haven't hung out with other cats much, it might take them a while to get used to a new furry friend. Ideally, the new cat should be cool with other cats; it makes the whole introduction thing easier.

Now, onto the slow and steady approach. Introducing cats should be like a slow dance. The slower, the better chance of success. "Slow" means going at the pace of the cat that's the most stressed. This could be the new cat or the resident cat(s). This might take days, weeks, or even months. It might be tempting to rush things, but patience is the key to keeping everyone happy in the long run.

Here's how to go about it:

Step 1: Separate the cats

Keep the new cat in a single room at first. This is for both their sakes. It helps the new cat get comfy in their new territory and lets the resident cat adjust to the new cat's presence. Ideally, the new cat should be in a room the resident cat doesn't hang out in much. During this separation time, switch their bedding so they get used to each other's smell. Also, make sure both cats are getting enough playtime to ease their stress. Don't move to the next step until both cats are calm and relaxed.

Step 2: Create positive associations

Now, you've got two or more curious but maybe nervous cats. The goal is to show them that good things happen when they see each other. Get a treat that each cat loves, something different from their regular food. They only get this treat when they see the other cat. Playtime or grooming can be good things too. They shouldn't be directly interacting yet; use a tall baby gate to keep them apart. Gradually increase the time they see each other and decrease the distance. Watch for positive signs like eating treats in each other's presence or playing on either side of the gate.

Step 3: Supervised time together

Now, let the cats spend time together without the baby gate, but keep it supervised. Reward them with treats for any positive or neutral interactions. If things take a negative turn, distract them with a toy. End on a positive note and slowly extend their time together.

The last part is making sure your home has enough of everything for every cat – litter boxes, scratching posts, water bowls, food bowls, hiding spots, comfy resting spots, toys, and human attention. Also, make sure there are plenty of high resting spots for the cats; they love to perch and it helps them feel secure. Once they've had positive or neutral interactions over several days or weeks, they're ready for unsupervised time together.

That's the game plan for a smooth cat introduction. Just take it slow, keep it positive, and ensure there's enough cat stuff for everyone. Before you know it, your cats might just become best buds.