It can be challenging introducing two cats in your household. I have owned what some might consider to be a shocking number of cats. I’ve been cat crazy my whole life but my mother was allergic, so I didn’t have a cat until I moved out at 17. I adopted Spike — still my favorite cat to this day, even though he passed away decades ago — two days after I moved out. Then as the years passed I added a couple other cats, and then I started working for veterinarians and my fate as a Crazy Cat Lady was sealed.
Over the years, I’ve brought home over thirty cats. In the beginning there were many foolish mistakes leading to a fair number of injuries (I still have a scar and a touch of nerve damage on my left hand from a very frightened new kitty biting me because he saw the other cats and freaked out), By now I’ve finally hit upon a strategy that works. In the last two years I’ve adopted two new cats and fostered a litter of kittens, all without injuries to me or the cats.
Here’s what I’ve learned.
Confine Your New Kitty
The #1 thing you absolutely must do with a new cat is confine that cat to its own room with food, water, and a litter pan. Your new cat needs time to acclimate, and confinement is the best way to do it. I recommend taking your new cat to the designated room and opening the cat carrier and then leaving the room for an hour or so. Don’t pull the cat out; let them make the decision to leave the carrier. This gives your new kitty the chance to settle from the trauma of leaving the shelter without needing to also adjust to a new person. After an hour or so, go back in and remove the carrier — but don’t put it away or clean it just yet (unless, obviously, your new kitty was so fearful it went to the bathroom in the crate).
Cat Personality is a Huge Factor
My simple system worked perfectly for every cat with the exception of one — Spot, a feisty calico with a hard core attitude. She hated everything and everyone, and spent her entire thirteen years living with me attacking my legs, the other cats, and especially the poor dog. She was an asshole, but damn, I loved her for it. You have to accept that some cats are just inflexible and aren’t going to adapt well. Not all cats are going to get along and curl up together on your couch. Some might fight, some might ignore each other, and some might become best buddies.
Smells Are Important
If you’re new kitty is from a shelter (and I sure hope it is), it smells like the shelter — and that alone is enough to make your resident cat nervous. A great trick to combat this is to use a damp washcloth on your new kitty once a day or so for a few days to help eliminate the scent of the shelter. After the second or third time you use the washcloth on the new kitty, don’t wash it — instead, use it on your resident cat as well. Go back and forth with the washcloth between the kitties, being sure to rub the cloth on the sides of their face where the scent glands live (this is why your kitty rubs your hands with the side of his face; he’s marking you!). This will help both kitties get used to each other. In addition, once the cat carrier is out of the confinement room, leave it out and open so your other cat can explore the scents in the carrier.
Time Is Your Friend
My favorite veterinarian (Dr. Marty McGuire of Queen Village Animal Hospital) always told me the confinement should last at least two weeks. But here’s another confession: I’ve almost never waited that long, and in every case (with the exception of crazy Spot), it’s been just fine. With kittens I’ve found that just a few days is enough, and with older cats I begin letting them see each other within five or six days. Sometimes I’ll bring the first cat into the room and let them see and sniff each other, other times I just open the door for a few minutes at a time. It really depends on the personalities of your cats. Usually within a week or so, I’ve found both cats are willing to be in the same space, even if they aren’t yet playing or cuddling.
Keep Your Expectations Reasonable
I currently have three cats: Jax, Leela, and Louie. Jax is an older cat and is somewhat of a curmudgeon. When we brought Leela home from the shelter he was not amused and he let us know. If she tried to approach him, he’d yowl and act threatening. I worried they’d never get along, but after months of just ignoring each other I found them curled up together on my bed. Eventually they began to play together and relax. Of course then we brought in foster kittens and kept one in the form of Louie, so the dynamic had to readjust once again. Now all three get along great
I’ll add one small caveat to my recommendation about introducing two cats to each other earlier than that two week confinement period: I have a dog. A big, silly, dumb dog that changes the cat dynamic completely. Because when I’m introducing a new cat, the dog is far more frightening than the resident kitty. So bear that in mind; if you’re a cat only person, you might want to give it the whole two weeks.
So what are you waiting for? Head to the shelter and get yourself a second (or third) kitty!
Long story but I will try to cut to the point. I had 3 resident indoor cats…2 sister calicos now 7 years old and one seventeen year old Himalayan. All three get along …although calicos are alpha. I adopted a 2 year old tuxedo who was born with cataracts in both eyes, but she sees very good. And no, surgery is not an option and not really necessary…she really does see very good! Problem…she gets along with 1 calico and the Himalayan….BUT…the other calico is another story….I have to keep them separated at ALL times. I have had the tuxedo for 8 months now. When we travel we have to carry the Tuxedo with us…ugh! I am a wonderful “Cat Lady”, BUT… I am not a miracle worker!
I’m a veterinarian and just wanted to comment on the 2 week confinement. That 2 weeks is actually not about getting your cats used to each other – it’s because the incubation period for most diseases is less than that, but not a lot less. The reason for the 2 week confinement is so if the new kitty you brought home is incubating any disease, it will show up before you expose the other cats in your household.
Personally, I recommend a month separation, to give both the new and old cats in the house the opportunity to hear and smell the other, without being forced to confront the strange new one (and the resident cats ARE the “strange new one” to the new cat as well). I’ve never had cats that didn’t get along when this was done.
But I do like the idea of giving the old cat an opportunity to check out the carrier, AND even more, the rubbing down with a wash cloth to exchange scents. I will definitely add these tips to my recommendations in the future. But even so, I’m sticking with the minimum 2 week quarantine to avoid having to treat a whole house full of cats with upper respiratory infections or intestinal parasites that the new kitty brought in.
I want to thank you for your advice. This is a first time experience for me. Boots brother died about a month ago and he just cries that low deep cry every night because (I think) he has no one to cuddle up too like they did before. So wish me good luck and if you have any further advice please feel free to share it with me. Again thank you.
Oh, Diana that breaks my heart, the first time I saw a cat mourn it was shocking and yet another aspect of cats that is so precious and surprising at first. But they do, they grieve.I have heard that crying before and it is just the most sad thing.
I am so sorry for your loss too, we have always had amazing cats in my family, just amazing, fun, chock full of personality kitties. But my loss 4 weeks ago today has just ripped my heart into pieces. So I am just going to be open to adding another kitty, not sure yet. In the past, I have always found healing for the people and kitties in waiting a bit and then adding a new kitty, usually one who shows up at the door! 🙂 So just spend time with kitties who need homes, and let the right one pick you. That has been an amazing thing for me, a great story with each kitty… so I really hope that you and Boots will find the absolute right new kitty to bring into your home and lives <3
I adopted a 7 year old stray female polydactyl tiger striped cat. I have an existing female calico cat for 6 years. I have the stray cat for 2 months and she is still getting use to me. She hides all day and at times hides from me. It is difficult to do introductions or try the cloth on the face strategy because both cats run away when I tried it. The stray cat has been trying to leave her room and has been successful. My existing cat will hiss, growl at the newly adopted cat. Suddenly the new cat is attacking my existing cat and appears to be winning. Today my exhisting cat got scratched above the eye, ear and nose. The stray had no marks. How do I help them get along and not fight?
We have a cat who is 12 years old. Recently we adopted another cat who 9-10 years old. They cannot get along. Our first cat hiss’s at her. New cat stauks her and has attacked her. The older cat runs to her safe spot. Currently first cat owns the upstairs and new cat the lower level. Please help us help them to get along
What about people who have a 1 bedroom apartment? How do you keep them apart for 2 weeks if you don’t have a spare room? I live in a one bedroom and I have found that letting a new kitty stay in the bedroom infuriates my resident cat because he is now shut out and that is his room! Last time I did that my resident cat didn’t come back in my bedroom for over 2 years and he never really did get over it. Tomorrow I am adopting a 6 yr old male cat. His owners landlord gave the place to his son and his son doesn’t like animals. So “Bear” lost his family after 6 years with them. I have an orange 8 yr old male tabby. any suggestions?
Chris.. I will be having the same problem as you. one bedroom apt. only spare room is the bathroom. the cat i’m adopting from the shelter is still not here yet. i’m at a loss. my vet said to keep him in the bathroom or put him in a crate or just take a chance and let him directly into my apt. it’s a challenging situation!
In December my husband and I were “found” by a stray kitten 3 weeks old and weighing about 3 ounces. After having him checked out by a vet we brought him in the cabin with us when we flew home a week later. We had him examined by our vet who declared him a “miracle” because we were able to rescue him and he seemed healthy. He was weaned, starting to use the litter box, and exploring the house. Then overnight he went into crisis and even though we rushed him to a 24 hour vet he had to be put down. We are devastated and grieving so badly. But then on a lark we went to a local shelter where we had adopted our now 7 year old siblings and saw a beautiful orange young cat. When I asked about him, the response was, “He’s from Puerto Rico.” Of course we saw this as the events coming full circle and he is now our 4th cat. So we have a 15 year old grey tabby who is ok with the new kitty, and the male 7 year old just hides from him, but the 7 year old female calico is very angry that new kitty is here. We went through the confinement stage and then gradually began to introduce them, but I am worried that she might never accept him. Advice?
I am interested in adopting a senior cat, I already have to young cats ( 4 and 2). Want to know how this will work.
Hi Sheri,
That’s a tough question. Adopting a senior cat is an awesome idea but I would suggest talking to your vet about ways you can make a senior comfortable in a household of younger cats. Providing a “safe place” for them to hang out and get away from all the action might be a good idea. Best of luck!
HUGE DILEMMA ON SECOND CAT!!! I have had my 6 month old shelter kitty for a month now and he is shaping up to be everything in everyway I want my cat to be. He is playful and loving and falling in love with me as much as I am with him. I have had cats all my life but have not had two at a time since my childhood and I am 53. I had a solo calico that lived for 17 years! She got along with dogs and there was always a dog around. I do dissapear for an 8 hour day of work and assume he sleeps in his bed most of it. He gets ample amount of attention when I get home. Everyone keeps telling me I need to get a second one for him to play with. I am so afraid he won’t want to share his love with me if I do but at the same time don’t want him lonely. Bouncing back and forth on it ????
Thank you for sharing, Tracy. That’s a tough question. Cats tend to be independent and sometimes adding a cat to an already calm household can cause unneeded stress. On the other hand, a smooth introduction is also very possible. So I would say its up to you if you want to take on the added responsibility. You can also consult your vet if your noticing your cat is showing signs of stress or separation anxiety.
Hi i have a thing for rescuing strays i have a 9 yr old male has been with us since he was a kitten. A few months ago a young female shows up ..i thought she was pregnant, turned out to be false. But she was sick and i keep her in her own bedroom until i can take her to the vet and have her spayed. I believe she is deaf …i was just wondering how she will need care and with being deaf will she be mean to my older cat . I am hoping to get her to a vet soon.
I have seven kitties! When I found our Siamese male cat outside, he was terrified of everything! I had to keep him isolated for a longer period of time (one month). He learned how to interact with me first then I gradually introduced him to the Herd. I had the door to the room he was in cracked open so he could see the other kitties and they could see him. Then we had him out for a few minutes at a time and gradually longer until I could see that everyone was getting along. Patience and personality does make a difference!
Thank you so much for sharing, Patricia. So happy to hear it all worked out you and your pets!
Need some advice. Moving soon with my cat and dog. My husband has been living elsewhere working and has taken in a stray cat. We are all moving to a new house together. How do I introduce the new cat to my cat and dog that will be introduced to a new home at the same time, complicated.
My boyfriend has 1 cat, who has his claws and can be quite mean. I have 2 cats without their claws and are extremely nice and playful. All of these cats are males. What would you recommend for me to start off with, because I am afraid that Saleen (boyfriend’s cat) might really hurt my cats!
Any advise would help!!
Hi I have a 6 year old spayed cat I’ve had her since she was 14 weeks I also have a 3yr old dog they do well together however I just brought home a 11 month male all 3 are fixed I kept everyone apart for 2 weeks did introduce slowly did the scent of carrier but my female makes these horrible sounds when she sees him and when he comes close it’s a fight I keep them separate when I’m not home and at night because I’m not sure what might happen do I stop the fighting or see if they will work it out I could use any help I don’t want to give up to soon or make life harder for them
I’ve just moved into a house with 2 roommates. I have 2 cats ages 4 and 6 …male and female. My male, Tigg, is a ginger and when I first introduced them Tigg hissed and wanted nothing to do with my new kittten. One day I was walking into my room, I glanced into my bedroom and there was my male cat, Tigg, with Reggie (my new female kitten) and Tigg was letting her suckel….his little teets were bloody and scabbed over..needless to say they are now inseperable…I just moved into a home where my cats can run free..the only problem I have is the 13 yr old that lives in the Lanai…HOW DO I INTRODUCE THEM???? PLEASE HELP…I WANT ALL 3 OF THEM TO GET ALONG…Do I try the scent?? There’s a sliding glass door between them…
Yes, I have the “Calico from Satan Spawn” living at my house. She lost her BFF a year ago and I’m trying to introduce a kitten from my Vet. The first day was terrible, little Teddy was scared to death and you could tell he wanted to snuggle with her. This 2nd day is not as vocal, but still hissing. Doing blanket exchange. Hoping for the best.
Hi, I really have a dilemma. I have 3 older cats (1 female/2 males – 10 years and up) and I rescued a young female cat the neighbor threw out. I took the rescue to the vet and she was finally cleared of everything/shots/spayed, etc. I’ve been trying to slowly introduce my older cats to the new one and it’s not going well at all. They hiss at her when she gets too close to them even though I have a gate up. My one male won’t even come by us. If he does he hisses and growls terribly. I have tried looking for a good home but haven’t been able to find one. Anyone, I’m so worried they will attack her if I let them out together. I even let the older cats go in her room to smell and inspect. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I’m at a total loss.
Hi Kristen! That sounds like a really tough situation. How long have you had the younger cat for? Like Cecily mentions above in her article, her vet has said two weeks minimum is the time needed. Your cats might need a little longer than that since they are older and therefore might be more set in their ways. I would recommend keeping them separated to avoid fights until the cats have shown some more acceptance/indifference rather than aggression towards the new cat and while waiting on that, keeping your eye out for a new home. I hope that your older cats will accept the new cat soon, and if not, I hope that you find a great home for the new rescue (maybe even one you can visit her at often!)