Introducing a Second Cat to Your Home
If you’re thinking that your feline buddy is looking a bit lonely and at a loose end introducing him or her to another cat companion can be a lovely way of providing your pet company and giving another rescue cat a loving home.
However as cats are sensitive creatures you need to think carefully about how you are going to prepare your resident moggie for the new arrival and ease the transition of the newcomer into your home.
Create a Safe Haven for the New Arrival
Initially, for the first few weeks, you need to keep the new cat in a secure and comfortable area where he or she is safe from the existing cat. I’ve used a spare bedroom in the past but if there’s no room’s available the next best option is to fence off an area for your new kitty to feel safe and cosy. Include a litter tray, a soft bed or basket with a blanket for warmth, some toys to play with, a bowl for food and access to plenty of fresh water. Leave your new family member to explore his or her new surroundings.
Keep Your Cats Apart
This is a critical step in the introduction of your resident cat to your new cat for a number of reasons:
- Ensure your new cat is healthy – the quarantine period gives you a chance to get your new kitty vaccinated, wormed and de-fleaed and to rule out any illnesses that may be contagious to your existing feline.
- Helps your existing cat to adjust – cats are extremely territorial and the advent of a new feline on the block will initially ruffle his or her fur. By keeping them separated your resident cat and new cat can get used to the new scents in the house.
Introduce the new scent slowly – one way is to give your new cat a blanket that your existing cat sleeps on. This is also effective for your existing cat – give him or her a blanket that your new cat has slept on.
Overtime your cats will start chirruping to each other and sniffing under the door. Once this starts it’s a good time to begin face-to-face introductions under your strict supervision!
Time to Meet
When you’re ready to introduce the cats, watch out for any threatening behaviour or any signs that one of the cats is frightened. Unless there is a display of aggression leave your cats to sniff around and interact as they please. Perhaps introduce a toy to see how they play together ensuring you avoid any competition. If your cats play happily together you can give them both free reign in the house. Ensure there are enough litter trays to avoid territorial spraying – one per cat is the rule!
Some things I've noticed
| AP Training proved Safety Passports in Polish |
| Think Removals Surrey - think WH Cox and Sons! |
| international removals cheap rates |