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Despite common belief, cats are not actually solitary creatures. Whilst they do prefer to hunt alone, many of them can benefit and enjoy having a fellow feline companion. However, it is also important to understand that cats are very territorial animals, meaning you cannot simply add a new cat into another cat’s existing territory and expect them to willingly accept their new house mate. Doing this will risk greatly stressing both cats and more concerning this often leads to them both deciding to never be friends. Introducing a new cat must be done slowly; it is vital to be patient and not rush either of the cats as this may be very counterproductive and turn them against each other. Most cats will take about 8-12 months to develop a new friendship with another cat.

1. Set up an exclusive “safe place” for the newcomer

When introducing a new cat to your home, the newcomer needs to initially be isolated in a separate room with their own food, water, litter box, comfortable bedding, places to perch off the ground, a scratching post and some favourite toys. This will allow both cats to be introduced to each other very gradually by only initially exposing the two cats to each other’s scent only. If not already done so, it is a wise idea to take your new cat to your vet for a thorough examination to ensure they are healthy. Feliway is a synthetic feline facial pheromone that can mimic the cat’s natural pheromones and provide a calming effect in stressful or unfamiliar situations. It is worthwhile considering placing one or two Feliway diffusers in locations around your home.

2. Utilise feeding times to reinforce with positive rewards

Feed both cats near the door of the newcomer’s room so they both associate smelling each other’s scent with a positive experience. Make sure that they cannot see each other under the door. In addition to their normal diet, when they are near the door reward them with extra tasty treats such as salmon, cheese, Greenies or sliced ham. Ensure to only offer small amount of the treats, little and often is the key. Continue to do this for about 2-3 days, or longer if either cat seems reluctant or stressed.

3. Expose them to each other’s natural smell

The next step is to increase their exposure to each other’s scent without any visual contact. There are a couple of ways to achieve this. Exchange bedding between the cats, or rub a cloth around one cat’s mouth and then leave that cloth in the other cat’s space, or you can rub a cloth alternately on each cat. As they start to exhibit curiosity about each other’s scent, ensure to reward friendly behaviour with treats and praise. Another way to mix their scent can be to switch over their living quarters making sure that they don’t see each other in the process.  This also allows the new cat to start to explore more sections of your home.

After a few more days of mixing scents, you can try to play with each cat near the door. Encourage them to paw at toys under the door, in accepting individuals this can sometimes result in the two cats playing with each under the door.

4. Allow them to have brief, supervised visual contact

If there are no signs of aggression such as hissing or growling from either cat after one week of exchanging scents you can attempt to let them see each other. This needs to done gradually to avoid conflict. If possible, install a screen door or high baby gate so they can see each other but cannot approach each other. Continue with your feeding and food rewards near the door that is blocked off with the screen so they see each other while eating. Some cats may be reluctant to each near the door, so start with feeding them a small distance away and gradually move their food bowls closer together as they get used to each other.

5. Allow them to have supervised, communal time

Once both cats are happily feeding on separate sides of the screen door, you can commence allowing short, supervised, direct interactions. For the initial exposure, have one cat in a carrier and allowing the other cat to approach. Feeding both cats at the same time can reduce stress as well. Following this, allow cats to walk around and sniff each other. Continue to reward friendly behaviour. Gradually increase the supervised time together.

Do not leave the cats together unsupervised until several supervised interactions without aggression have occurred. The process of introducing a new cat may take several weeks to months. Older cats may need a quiet space away from kittens for an extended period of time. Friendly, well-socialized cats may adapt to each other rapidly.

6. Remember to respect the Five Pillars of Cat’s Environmental needs

The ISFM and the AAFP are two of the largest feline veterinary organisations in the world and they share the vision of helping improve the lives of cats all around the world. These organisations will frequently collaborate together to publish specific Feline Practice Guidelines on a variety of cat-specific topics. The guidelines are generally formed by a panel of feline experts and help provide recommendations to both vets and cat owners on the optimum standard for feline care. The 2013 Environmental Needs Guidelines identified five primary concepts that are needed to provide a healthy environmental for your cat. These five pillars can be applied regardless of what sort of lifestyle your cat has; whether they are indoor or out. By incorporating the Five Pillars into your cat’s environment, you will see a lower incidence of illness, improve their behaviour and increase their general well-being.

1. Provide a safe place: ensure that both cats have their own retreat where they can be alone
2. Provide multiple and separated key environmental resources: this means multiple food bowls, water bowls, toileting areas, scratching areas, play areas and resting or sleeping areas. 
3. Provide opportunity for play and predatory behaviour: set time aside each day to play with your cats. Learn their toy preferences and make sure you keep it interesting for them by regularly changing the toys. 
4. Provide positive, consistent and predictable human-cat interaction: every cat is different in the way they interact with humans. Learn to know what your cat loves but make sure you don’t force any interactions upon them instead let your cat initiate it. 
5. Provide an environment that respects the importance of the cat’s sense of smell: Use of the synthetic pheromone Feliway can be very helpful in creating a less stressed and more social environment. 

For more information about the Five Pillars read our blog post “Environmental Needs for Cats” or alternatively the Guidelines are available free for downloading from the AAFP website.