Introducing a new cat to the resident cat

"SIERRA.....are you on the dining-room table again?"

"Oh crap!"

"NO, I'm not"


Although she doesn't fool me and does like to sprawl out on my tables,  Sierra is a GOOD cat. She is clean about herself and the litter-box, eats everything in her bowl (never a crumb left) and mostly, she lives quite happily with any cat that happens by. I feel she is just a very confident little gal.
You cannot say this for every cat.
This time of year adoptions are very slow at animal shelters.

The Lanark Animal Shelter in Smiths Falls, Ont. The cats have playrooms.

Mostly because people are busy and travelling or entertaining company and do not have time to integrate a cat into their household.
Come September,  the adoptions will go up and many people will be wondering how to introduce a new cat to the resident cat.
Here are a few tips from someone who really does believe that baby-steps need to be taken.
First, put the new cat in a room of its' own.
Give your resident cat time to get used to something being on the other side of the door.
Then rub down each cat with a sock. Be sure to rub around the cheeks where the scent glands are.
Put the opposite sock with the cats to watch the reaction of each cat.
Once they stop hissing (or they may not) from smelling the sock then switch rooms. Put the new cat in the room that the resident cat was in and the resident cat goes into the room where the new cat came out of. Let them roam around a bit getting used to each other's scent.

Think of it this way. If a person was to arrive at your home that you had never met would you feel more comfortable knowing something about this person before they arrive? Wouldn't you have lots of questions? Once being informed about this person would you not feel more comfortable once you meet? It is the same for the animals.

Before introducing them have on hand some treats and toys. There most likely will be some hissing so be prepared for that. Give the resident cat more attention and keep your eyes on that one mostly. If it looks like there will be an attack you should immediately put the new cat back into its' room and wait for another day to try this. This could take awhile so take your time with it. It could be up to a month or so before the cats can be left in a room unsupervised or you might be lucky and they like each other immediately. Remember....baby steps.

hugs, Deb