How do I introduce the cats to eachother?


cats
Navia521 asked:


I’m moving in with someone who has two cats. I have one cat. How do we get them to get along? Can you give me some good tips cuz I have never done this before?
I should add it that it wont be possible to separate them completely for a week because it’s a very small apartment and I don’t want to lock one kitty in the bathroom

This entry was posted on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Cats. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “How do I introduce the cats to eachother?”

  1. Christine Says:
    September 1st, 2009 at 7:35 am

    Here’s a great article on introducing cats:

  2. DaniGirl Says:
    September 1st, 2009 at 9:31 pm

    It depends on the space that you have. If it’s at all possible, close the two that know each other together in one room, and put the other kitty in an adjoining room where they can hear each other and play under the door, but can’t see each other, or get at each other.

    Another trick is to stick one in a carrier, and let the other sniff around it, and switch positions.

    It’s rather normal to have some hissy fits, and small scuffles, but as long as no real harm is done, they should be alright. It also can take quite a while for them to adjust to each other.

  3. cat lover Says:
    September 5th, 2009 at 5:51 am

    A lot depends on the ages, and I hope all are spayed/neutered or there becomes another issue. If there is a large age difference, and the two are much older, then it likely will be less accepted. The two have accepted which cat is the alpha cat, and now that whole dynamic is going to be upset.

    You will want to bring your own food dishes and litter box with you. They may share later, but don’t force them now.

    If they can be separated into different rooms, you can do a gradual introduction. That way, they will sniff, etc under the door, and you can also switch places, so they get used to each others scents. You put them together for gradually longer periods of time.

    Often, in small homes, that is not feasible. So you put them together, and stand back. You will get hissing and growling, as that is common. Most cats hate changes, and the introduction of four paws and fur is a big change.

    There will probably be hissing and growling no matter how you do it. A lot of it is bluff and bluster, and eventually, one kitty will emerge as the alpha kitty. Then, there will be peace and harmony, so to speak.

    Your cat may be upset as there is a whole new set of scents, sounds and sights to get used to. Love and attention will help your cat adjust.

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