In the event you’re a cat lover, only one cat is not often ever sufficient. However introducing cats could be a little bit of a minefield, particularly whenever you don’t know the way both pet will react. Cats generally tend to be extremely territorial towards different felinesopens in a brand new tab, so you might have to make each animals’ security a precedence and make sure that each cats are correctly socializedopens in a brand new tab earlier than they meet.
Overwhelmed but? Whereas introducing two cats could look like a problem, it doesn’t must be demanding. Simply take issues slowly, one step at a time, as we’ve outlined beneath. And should you’re uncertain about your skill to be taught how you can introduce cats to one another, take into account enlisting the assistance of an expert cat behaviorist, like Kristiina Wilsonopens in a brand new tab, who gives some tips about how you can assist your cats, if not like, a minimum of tolerate each other.
Cat introduction timeline
Introducing two cats shouldn’t be one thing you may do in a pair hours. Generally, it could actually take weeks — and even months — earlier than the cats really feel snug round each other, and a few cats could by no means take pleasure in one another’s firm.
For the very best probabilities of turning your cats into a minimum of roommates who tolerate one another, take your time and be taught how you can introduce grownup cats, shifting on the animals’ tempo. If both cat exhibits any indicators of aggressionopens in a brand new tab or stress, reminiscent of a tucked tail or flattened ears, take a break and transfer again a step in the method.
In the event you can, attempt to introduce your new cat’s odor into the home earlier than you deliver them residence, ideally a minimum of per week earlier than. Then, you may comply with the overall timeline beneath, however be able to alter primarily based on how the cats react to one another:
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The day earlier than bringing a brand new cat residence, create a chosen house for the cat—ideally, a room with a door you may shut.
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Two days in, swap scents by switching the cats’ bedding, permitting them to odor each other.
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5 days in, work on constructing constructive associations by rewarding every cat with a favourite deal with once they react calmly to the opposite cat’s scent.
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Inside per week, if all goes effectively, enable the cats to see one another by way of a barrier like a child gate.
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Ten days in, if the cats present no indicators of aggression, attempt a supervised, face-to-face assembly.
Wilson recommends utilizing cat pheromonesopens in a brand new tab as effectively — and having the scent stepping into the room earlier than you deliver a brand new cat residence.
Introducing cats: step-by-step information
If you’re introducing two catsopens in a brand new tab, the method is much from easy. Be sure to take issues slowly, step-by-step, and listen to each cats’ reactions and physique language to see if you must retreat again to a earlier step.
“In the event you see the cat is anxious, upset, or aggressive, cease the session and restart it later after everybody has calmed down,” Wilson emphasizes.
Maintain the cats separate.
“Take time at first to set your self up for fulfillment,” Wilson says. “Have a room arrange with a door that shuts for the brand new cat, and preserve them there for a day or two or per week, reckoning on how shortly they alter.”
Be sure to preserve the door closed so the resident cat can’t enter the room and watch out when stepping into and out your self. It’s additionally thought so as to add a pet or child gate on the door to stop any sudden encounters between the 2 cats earlier than they’re able to be friends.
Trade scents.
As soon as the brand new cat is used to their house, enable every cat to smell your fingers and clothes after you work together with the opposite. This helps them get accustomed to at least one one other’s smells. You too can swap their bedding so every cat can get acquainted with the opposite’s scent and even sprinkle a couple of treats on the bedding to assist create constructive associations.
Let the cats discover one another’s areas.
Proceed to preserve the cats separated, however enable them to discover one another’s areas. Maintain a detailed eye on every cat for any indicators of discomfort or sad vocalizations, like growling or hissing.
Encourage playtime close to the door (and perhaps a peek).
If neither cat appears upset by the unseen presence of the opposite, encourage your resident cat to play close to the door—with out opening it but. Use string toys to get each cats’ consideration, regularly bringing them nearer, with the closed door separating them. If all goes effectively, take into account opening the door so every cat can get a glimpse of the opposite.
Enable the cats to satisfy nose to nose.
Lastly, open the door (with the gate nonetheless in place) to enable the cats to see each other. Search for constructive indicators, like relaxed physique language, light eye contact, and elevated tails. If there isn’t any hissing or indicators of concernopens in a brand new tab or aggressionopens in a brand new tab, take away the gate and permit the cats to work together. All the time supervise these interactions and proceed to separate the cats whenever you’re not residence till they’re snug being alone collectively.
Introducing cats with out separation
When you can introduce cats with out separating them first, most specialists don’t advocate this technique. Some cats could do exactly effective with a sudden intro, whereas others could change into confused, territorial, and even violent.
Earlier than making an attempt a fast introduction, take into account how effectively each cats’ temperaments and the way snug you’re with dealing with the method on your personal.
How lengthy does it take for cats to get alongside?
For many cats, it takes a couple of weeks for them to really feel snug round one another. However each cat is completely different, and a few could get used to at least one one other rather more shortly — or take weeks longer.
It’s thought to take care of separate areas for every cat for a minimum of a couple of weeks and be certain to have a number of litter packing containers all through the home. Additionally, bear in mind the completely different personalities of every cat and perceive how you can introduce kittens or how you can introduce a kitten to a cat.
Indicators cats are beginning to get alongside
Need to know in case your cats are lastly getting alongside? Look out for these indicators:
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Relaxed physique languageopens in a brand new tab, reminiscent of blinking, delicate eye contact, and tails lifted up within the air
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Mild head-butting
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Grooming each other
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Snuggling or napping collectively
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Touching noses
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Taking part in or wrestling
“When two cats headbutt one another (often called bunting), this implies they like one another,” Wilson says. “So does resting on the identical sofa or mattress along with their butts touching and being snug going through away from one another.”
assist cats get alongside
Among the finest strategies for how you can get cats to get alongside is to create constructive associations with the opposite cat. That may embrace giving your cat a favourite deal with or toy when the opposite cat is round.
Listed here are a couple of different ideas for enhancing the connection between two cats:
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Be sure there are many assets within the residence so there’s no sense of competitors (i.e., litter packing containers, meals and water, toys, and locations to disguise or relaxation).
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Spay or neuter your cats to assist cut back emotions of aggression.
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Introduce the cats slowly—don’t rush the method.
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Present lots of considerationopens in a brand new tab and playtime for each opens in a brand new tabcats.
FAQs (Folks additionally ask):
How a lot hissing is regular when introducing new cats?
Cats typically categorical themselves by way of hissing, so a few of this conduct once they first meet is regular. Nevertheless, if the hissing doesn’t relax after a couple of minutes, or if there may be any signal of aggression (like chasing, screaming, flattened ears, or hitting with pressure), separate the cats instantly.
How can I acclimate a cat to a brand new residence?
When introducing a brand new catopens in a brand new tab to your property, create a house only for the brand new cat with their very own meals and water bowls, litter field, bedding, and toys. Be affected person and provides your cat lots of time to alter to their new atmosphere, slowly permitting them to discover your property as they start to really feel extra snug.
Do female and male cats get alongside?
Do feminine cats get alongside? Do male cats get alongside? Opposite to widespread perception, the sexes of two cats have little to do with whether or not they may get alongside. A male cat and a feminine catopens in a brand new tab can simply get alongside, particularly in the event that they have comparable personalities. Be sure to spay or neuter each cats as soon as they’re sufficiently old.
How do I introduce a cat to a canine?
When introducing a cat and a canine, preserve each pets separate at first and be certain to work on primary instructions along with your canine. As soon as each animals have sniffed one another out with out seeing each other, you may begin supervised face-to-face conferences. By no means rush these introductions, and proceed slowly and with warning.