What cat lover can resist the pull of an adorable kitten or a saucy teenage kitty or a placid adult cat? That pull is strong even if you have a resident cat(s) already.
Adding another cat or cats to an existing cat household should be a decision taken with some care. It’s important to make sure that both you and your cat(s) can accommodate a newcomer.
What New Supplies Will You Need?
Naturally, you’ll need additional food bowls, litter, food, beds and possibly toys. You will need a litter pan for each cat, plus a spare. You want to ensure that your existing kitty does not feel threatened by the newcomer using his “stuff”, at least until they are well integrated. Try to put the litter boxes in separate locations so one kitty doesn’t become a bully over the litter box. The locations should be quiet and out of heavy traffic routes so kitty can have some privacy.
Male or Female?
What gender should your new kitty be? It depends on the personalities of both the resident kitty and the newcomer but many vets recommend getting different sexes. A male and female may be more likely to bond and less territorial than two males or two females.
How to Make Introductions
This is the most critical part of bringing a new cat into an existing cat household. Doing it right will set you and your pets up for a long, happy co-existence. Yet too many people rush this phase and just put the two cats together right away. Here are the steps to follow:
- Start by isolating the newcomer in a separate room with a door and provide a litter box, food bowls, water bowl, toys and bedding.
- Rub a separate cloth on each cat’s cheek and give it to the other cat to check out. This exchange of smells helps each cat get familiar with the other’s scent. Do this for several days.
- Feed them or give them treats on opposite sides of the closed door for a few days. This helps both cats associate the other cat with pleasurable things.
- Once this all seems to be going well put them together for 5 or 10 minutes at a time over several days. Monitor them carefully and expect some hissing. Separate them immediately if there is any sign of aggression.
- Use a Feliway dispenser in the area where you introduce them to help keep them calm.
Expect this process to take as little as a few days and as much as two weeks or more. But spending the time to introduce them properly will pay huge dividends for their life together.
Adding a new kitty to an existing cat household can be incredibly rewarding. Your existing kitty gets a new playmate and you get double the kitty love.