Introducing cats | Help and advice

Thinking of getting another cat? Here’s a practical guide explaining how to introduce your cat to other cats.

A harmonious household

Cats mostly prefer living on their own, but with some practical help, you can help your cats accept each other. It's really important to look out for signs that cats aren't getting on. Just because they are not physically fighting does not mean that they are happy together.

Watch our video with practical advice on introducing and integrating a new cat to your household.

How to introduce cats

Many cats are returned to Cats Protection because they haven’t got on with the adopter's other cat. But with some planning and taking it in stages, you can give them the best start.

Setting up a sanctuary room - such as a spare bedroom - with everything a cat needs is a way to ensure your new cat has their own space and space to adapt to their new home.
Next, scent swapping - collect scent from one cat using a cloth by wiping it around their cheeks or forehead and then give the other cat the cloth. Placing it in the middle of the floor gives them the option to investigate or ignore. This helps them to get used to each other's smell.
Once the cats are no longer reacting to each other’s scent, the next step is using a glass barrier such as patio doors. This allows them to see each other without being able to get to one another. Let the cats have the choice of approaching the glass rather than forcing them. If this goes well, use a mesh barrier or baby gate to allow them to see and smell each other.
After plenty of mesh barrier introductions, it’s finally time for the face-to-face meeting. Again, it’s important to allow the cats the option of meeting and not force them to meet. Both cats need to know where they can exit the situation or where they can get up high. Keep these meetings short and make them a good experience with treats and toys. If things don’t go well, it’s important to ensure you can break any eye contact between the cats, allowing them to retreat from each other. It is important not to rush the stages, but following this guide gives your cats the very best chance of being able to live together. Good luck!

Signs of cat bullying and how to combat it

In any household with more than one cat, there is the potential for bullying. It's important to spot the signs and take action as this can lead to stress-related illness.

Look out for;

Staring
Claiming resting places or access to owners by physically pushing another cat away
Pouncing on another cat while they are asleep
Blocking thoroughfares, sitting directly in front of the cat flap to deny entry/exit
Blocking access to an indoor litter tray

How to combat bullying in a multi-cat household

Provide all ‘cat resources’ – feeding areas, water bowls, litter trays, beds, toys, scratching posts, high perches and private places – in the formula ‘one per cat plus one extra, positioned in different locations’ to limit competition.
Provide dry food for ‘grazing’ throughout the day or divide wet food into frequent smaller meals to avoid competition at set mealtimes. Position the bowls to enable each cat to eat without the need to turn his back on a potential adversary
Provide indoor litter facilities, even if the cats have access outside
Provide two separate entry and exit points to the property, ie cat flaps, doors or windows, to avoid the risk of guarding or blocking and enable even the most timid cat to get indoors and outdoors unhindered

Download: Cat's living together guide

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Help and advice

Cats Protection blog

A harmonious household

How to introduce cats

Signs of cat bullying and how to combat it

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