{"id":19291,"date":"2020-12-04T14:57:20","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T14:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hartz2020.bfmstaging.com\/how-to-introduce-two-cats\/"},"modified":"2024-04-12T16:22:41","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T16:22:41","slug":"how-to-introduce-two-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hartz.com\/en-ca\/how-to-introduce-two-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Introduce Two Cats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Despite myths that cats are antisocial and like to be alone, most cats do enjoy the company of another member of their species. When left to their own devices outdoors, you\u2019ll find that most cats live in social groups or colonies. However, just as it takes you time and several meetings to make a new friend, the acceptance of newcomers to the group will take time and practice. The majority of cats can get used to and benefit from living with a friend, although there are always exceptions and some match-ups just do not work.<\/p>\n
\nWhen left to their own devices outdoors, you\u2019ll find that most cats live in social groups or colonies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
You\u2019ll want to plan ahead when thinking about adopting a new cat. Pick a cat who is compatible with your current cat. If you have a 13-year-old cat who likes to sleep all day, a kitten is probably not a good idea. Likewise, if you have a playful kitten at home, you will want to pick another young cat who can keep up with their energy.<\/p>\n\n
Before Bringing Home Your New Cat\u2026<\/h2>\n\n
Set up a \u201cbase camp\u201d in your home prior to going to the shelter. This can be a spare room or a bathroom equipped with food and water, a litter box, toys, and a nice place to hide. Your new cat should stay here at minimum one week, but often it can take longer. Keeping your new kitty in this one room allows him to have time to decompress, take it slow, and get used to his new environment. Think about it \u2013 if you were uplifted from your former home and forced to live with a stranger, you\u2019d want a space of your own, too.<\/p>\n\n
You Should Avoid\u2026<\/h2>\n\n
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Don\u2019t throw the two cats together and let them \u201cwork it out.\u201d This is stressful for both cats. A slow and gradual introduction where they can build positive experiences is best.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Some people may feel tempted to put the new cat in a carrier or crate and let the old cat approach and smell him. This isn\u2019t a good idea. It leaves your new cat feeling trapped and like they can\u2019t escape, and can damage the relationship between your cats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, introductions with both cats on leashes are not recommended. Unless your cat is very used to wearing a harness and is walked regularly, putting a harness and leash on a cat is a stressful experience. You are pairing the stressful experience of wearing a harness and meeting a new cat together, ending in one very stressed out kitty!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nRushing cat introductions can put cats into uncomfortable positions and they will start associating the other cat with stress.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The best way to have two cats see each other first time is through a baby gate where they each have the opportunity to move away if they choose. You should not hold or restrain the cats in any way during introductions.<\/p>\n\n
Resources are important to cats \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0their food and water, their bed, their scratching post, even their litter box. When you have two cats, they each should be given their own set of resources, even if they are getting along. The less they have to share, the less competition there will be.<\/p>\n\n
The Introduction Period\u2026<\/h2>\n\n
This can take anywhere from one week to six months or even longer! Patience is key and remember that slow and steady wins the race. Rushing introductions can put cats into uncomfortable positions and they will start associating the other cat with stress. The following are a few helpful tips to follow when doing a slow and proper introduction:<\/p>\n\n
Scent Swapping:<\/h4>\n\n
Scent is very important to cats. This new outsider doesn\u2019t smell like them or your house, so he sticks out like a sore thumb to your cat. Rub on your cat\u2019s cheeks and facial area using a sock or washcloth, then rub the same cloth all over the new cat, and then swap and do the opposite cat. The cheeks are full of the cat\u2019s pheromones and scent glands and will deposit a stronger scent on the other cat. Once the cats begin to smell familiar to each other, they will start to accept each other more quickly.<\/p>\n\n
Pair with Food:<\/h4>\n\n
Your main goal in the introduction period is to allow the cats to have short interactions that are completely positive so that they begin to pair the other cat with good things happening.<\/p>\n\n
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