As with quite a few of my cat related stories they are inspired by my friend Mike and his feline exploits, adventures? I’m not actually sure how to explain all the things he has dealt with. He requested that I write on the best practices on how to introduce cats.

The scenario: you have one cat at home and are looking to introduce another lovely cat to the family. Problem is, when paws hit the ground the choir of hissing begins. This post could probably be quite short: Go slow. But I will give some practical tips to hopefully bring some harmony and togetherness.

Cats are territorial, and as such get a bit,…grumpy when a newcomer enters. This is stressful for all parties involved, the resident cat, the new comer, and the silly humans in-between. We want both cats accustomed to the scent of one another before letting them actually see each other. Dedicating a room for the new cat is an important step, and keeping the door closed and shut off from the existing cat is also critical. Every day take the newcomer and put them in the bathroom for a bit while you transfer your resident cat to the new cats room. Then as the resident cat explores the room (with the door shut) with the new scents while the new comer can explore the rest of the house. The goal here is switching the territories so each gets exposure to each others scents without any actual contact.

Next will be to feed them together on either side of this shut door, aware of each others scents as well as their presence on the other side of the barrier. Start far enough that there isn’t any conflict and the cats eat comfortably and gradually move them closer together. This is all working towards a visual access eg baby or pet gate or screen door. If they can be in each others presence and still be civil you can move on to the next step of in person (in cat?) meeting. The best way is likely to provide a shared yet separate experience; allowing a new cat to come in to the room where you are already actively playing with the resident cat and having a partner engage with the newbie.

Some helpful tips:

• This is meant to be a slow gradual process, if there are set backs just go back a few steps and try again and go slowly
• Using feline pheromone products such as feliway and feliway friends is a safe way to help minimize stress of introductions
• Giving each cat a hiding place such as boxes and cat trees, also separate litter boxes to prevent guarding.

Cats are weird animals, I love them but they are weird. They have some of the most unique personalities but with some time and patience hopefully these tips can help bring some peace to your household!