Introducing a New Cat to a Resident Cat

By taking a step-by-step approach, you’ll create a smoother transition and help both cats feel safe and secure in their shared home.

Initial Confinement: For the first few days, keep the new cat confined to one room. Provide fresh food, water, and a litter box daily. Spend quality time in the room, engaging with the new cat by playing, feeding, petting, and interacting. This allows the new cat to adjust to a safe space and build trust in its new environment.

Gradual Scent Introduction: Your resident cat will detect the new cat’s scent on your clothes and skin, as well as hear its sounds. During this time, spend extra time with your resident cat, engaging in favorite activities to ease anxiety. Feeding can be particularly comforting. Place your resident cat’s food dish near the door of the new cat’s room and feed both cats at the same time, separated by the closed door. Move to the next step when neither cat growls, hisses, or shows signs of aggression.

Exploration Swaps: Confine your resident cat to a familiar, favorite room with its own food, water, and litter box. Allow the new cat to explore the home in short, supervised sessions, gradually extending the time. Accompany the new cat during these explorations to help it feel secure. Repeat this process several times daily until both cats appear relaxed (e.g., resting or grooming instead of constant exploration).

Supervised Interaction: When both cats seem comfortable, arrange a supervised meeting during mealtime. Feed the cats in the same room but at a comfortable distance. Some hissing or hesitation is normal. After eating, return each cat to its separate space. Gradually increase their time together after meals. If either cat seems too stressed to eat, separate them and try again later.

Gradual Integration: Over time, move their food dishes closer during shared mealtimes. Allow the cats to spend more time together as they become comfortable. If issues arise, return to the previous step and progress more slowly.

Litter Box Adjustments: As the cats settle in, you can gradually relocate one or both litter boxes, but maintain at least one box per cat to ensure comfort. Cats may eventually share litter boxes, but having separate options reduces potential conflict.