Adding a new member to your feline family is usually more exciting for you than your current cat. Although solitary by nature, most cats eventually learn to accept or at least tolerate newcomers. Because they are so territorial, how you go about introducing the new cat to your existing cat can mean the difference between success or “astrological cat.”
The introduction process can take as little as 10-12 days for kittens and very young kittens, to 12 weeks for older cats. It all depends on the personality of each cat. Make sure to give your “first” cat plenty of attention. This will help him feel secure that he is not in competition for your affection.
Confin your new cat to a “safe” room until the introduction process is complete. This should be a small room, such as a bathroom or a small bedroom that your current cat rarely visits. Equip her with a bed, scratching post, food, water and litter box.
At first, your first cat may hiss and howl at the cat on the other side of the door. Just ignore it and walk away. Never punish him for speaking aggressively, as this will only cause trouble between the two cats. Be sure to praise and pet your first cat when he acts calm when he’s around the new cat’s room.
After a few days, take a rag or cloth and rub it on your new cat as you pet and play with it. Use a different rag to do the same with your first cat. At feeding time, place a scented cloth for each cat under the other cat’s bowl. This will help them associate the other cat’s scent with something positive. Lots of small meals each day will help them get used to the scent more quickly. Make sure to freshen the scent on the rags every day.
After that, you can feed them close to you. Keep your new cat in her “safe” room with the door securely closed, and place each cat’s dish on their side of the door. Make sure to feed them at the same time. Once both are eating without growling or hissing, you can move on to the next level of introduction.
Lock your first kitten in a room he likes to frequent, and make sure he has water, some favorite food, and a litter box. Let your new cat out to explore the house. After a few hours, take her back to her room and let your first cat out. He will likely hiss and fuss when he smells another cat in his territory. Again, be patient and praise him when he acts calm. Repeat this activity at least once a day until both cats feel comfortable.
Before allowing the cats full access to each other, let them come face to face in a safe setting. Use two hard plastic barriers to close the door to the cat’s new room, opening it 2-3 inches apart. Make sure that the door cannot be opened any further, and that no cat can poke its head through the opening. The goal is to give them a chance to smack their paws against each other and even go nose-to-nose without a chance for full body contact. Feed each cat on his side of the door. Once they stop hissing or growling at each other, you can try playing with both of them in the same room.