Cat on Cat Introductions

CAT TO CAT INTRODUCTIONS

Preparing for arrival

A new cat will need its own room.  This will allow for the cat time to decompress and acclimate to the new environment (including smells and sounds).  One room will provide the cat a calm environment and reduce chances of the cat from escaping.  Please be sure to pick a room that is NOT a favorite of your resident pet!

The room should include all the items your foster will need for the next few days/weeks:

• Litter box

• Water

• Food

• Toys, scratchers, and bedding

• A safe "hiding" spot

Arrival Day/Daily Living

The new cat's room will be its safe space for as long as the cat needs this space.  Some cats may take days, others weeks.  During this decompression time, the cat should be interacting with all persons in the home but not yet other pets.

Once the cat is showing signs of comfort, you can slowly begin to start introductions.

1. Scent Swap - exchange one of the cat's bedding with that of the resident pet.  Allow each time to explore this new smell intermingled with their own.

2. If the new cat and resident cat both appear interested in the smells (laying on the bedding is a good sign!) and not showing stress signs, allow each to explore the other's space. Briefly confine each as the other explores their space [be sure the confined pet is in a complete separate space that cannot be seen during exploration].   

3. If both are not showing stress signs, allow visual contact.  This can be one cat crated while the other roams a room, through a glass door or window, or some other physical barrier for which the cats are unable to get through or over.   *If using the crate method, be sure the crate includes a way for the cat within to "hide" if needed!  

   • If there is any signs of negative behaviors, attempt to positively distract via lure toys or treat.  Do not punish a cat for showing negative signs as it will likely only scare the cats more.

   • If the negative behaviors are not able to be redirected, separate the cats physically and visually immediately

4. If all previous steps have gone well with no signs of stress, allow for physical interaction while supervised.  Remove the physical barrier to allow the pets to roam freely.

   • The ultimate goal is that each is able to remain relaxed in the presence of one another; they do NOT have to physically interact. 

   • If there are any signs of negativity, replace the barrier.  Interactions should start off brief but as frequent as possible.

5. If the cats are relaxed in each other presence and there have not been any signs of negativity, allow for physical interaction while unsupervise for short periods of time (5-10 min).  This can be done frequently. 

   • If friendly behaviors persist, the time periods can become longer. 

   • At this stage, it is particularly important that each cat has its resources in separate locations to help prevent the cats from feeling in competition with one another.