Introducing new cats to each other and keeping the kitty peace
Bringing a new cat into the family can be an amazing yet difficult decision to make, so how how can you keep the kitty peace? We're here to help you keep both cats happy.
Introducing your purry baby to a new cat can be a tough time, but there are ways to help both kitties feel at home and make the process as smooth as possible. Whether you're bringing a new cat home as a friend for your first feline, or just to grow your fur family, it's important to keep your kitties needs in mind and stay patient. Before you know it, you'll have firm friends on your hands, making double the trouble!
Read on to find out how to safely and calmly introduce your cats to each other, and keep your home a pussycat paradise.
Pheromones and supplements
In preparation for you bringing your new friend home, keep your current cat in the loop by using pheromone diffusers and natural supplements. These can help keep your cat calm and prepare them for the big change, by naturally blissing them out and helping them adjust in stressful situations. You can find plug-in diffusers, such as Feliway, specifically tailored to help cats adjust to each other and not view each other as mortal enemies off the bat. Zylkene is also a useful supplement, as it uses the same natural protein found in mummy cat milk to put your feline at ease. We would also recommend giving your cats lots of treats and tasty dishes, such as our delicious Chicken Casserole kibble, to help them feel as happy and comforted as possible through difficult periods. Start your cat on any supplements, pheromones, and plenty of treats around a week before the anticipated meeting, so they can get used to them and feel ready when the time comes around.
Now that you've prepped your kittycat, let's prepare your home for the new arrival by setting up space especially for them.
Separate spaces
Creating some space specifically for your new cat is very important, so they have space to settle in and find their resources without stepping on your current kitty's toe beans. Use a room or space that your first kitty uses less, and ensure they have food, water, and their litter tray here. It can also be useful to set them up with a comfy place to rest, hiding spots, and some higher ground to settle in to, so they have multiple places to chill out and feel safe. Make sure their belongings here are new, instead of using your settled cat's existing things. This helps your new cat claim ownership and comfortability over their space and stuff, instead of everything already containing your first kitty's scent.
Once your house is ready, it's time to bring your new furry friend home! Take it slow, and here's what we'd recommend next:
Scent swapping
The first step in helping your kittycats meet each other is getting them used to each other's scent. Give each cat an item belonging to the other, such as a blanket or toy that smells like them, so they can begin to get used to the idea of another feline in their space. Cats use smell as an essential part of navigating their world and sussing out other cats. By allowing them to get used to each other's scent first, it allows them to recognise each other when they meet physically and hopefully associate each other with their home and social group. It can also help to introduce each cat to the other's space separately, so they can start to get used to the idea of each other without physically meeting just yet.
Once they've sniffed and sussed out all they can, it's time for that first meeting.
Saying hi
It can be tempting to throw both cats together and get the initial meeting out of the way, but remember it's key to take this process slow. Before you jump in, let both cats say hi first by introducing them at a safe distance. You can do this by opening the door slightly, so they can peek through but not squeeze in, by using a mesh screen, or a small stair gate. This helps both cats attach a presence to the smell they've gotten used to, and adjust to the idea of another kittycat in their home. Keeping them apart at this stage also means that there won't be any casualties if either cat has an adverse reaction, or wants to assert their dominance by picking a fight. Remember to stay patient at this stage, and only move on once they can say hi to each other without fur flying.
Let's finally make contact, and fill these pussycats with purrs.
Making contact
It's finally time to make contact! Now that both cats have spent some time getting to know each other, we can open those doors and let them settle in. Make sure they are supervised though this stage, and let them move at their own pace. Don't force them to interact or move quicker than they're ready to; we recommend sitting back and keeping an eye on them so they can do their own thing. If both cats seem to be extremely unhappy, there's no problem with separating them and trying again when they're more ready. Don't worry if they aren't cuddle buddies from the jump, most cats will learn to co-exist in their own way instead of being instant besties. If they seem to be too fixated on each other, make sure to give them both lots of praise and love for good interactions and progress before distracting them with yummy mouthfuls of our Salmon Traybake kibble.
If your cats are happily eating near each other, this is always a good sign that they are comfortable enough in each other's presence to keep their guard down. We recommend our Chicken with Beef Chunks or our Chicken with Carrot Pâté to encourage kitties to chow down and cosy up, as the yummy flavour and nutrients are bound to make any cat comfortable.
If you want to find the purr-fect meal to reward your kittycats, check out our full range of cat food to find whisker-licking goodness for cats of every shape and size. From grain-free recipes, to hearty classics, we guarantee your felines will be feeling paw-some and eating like royalty.
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