If you enjoy caring for a cat and are thinking about introducing another one to the family, this cat guide from Greenpaws Chicago is for you. The Felis silvestris catus species has been with humans for over 7,000 years; it has evolved through a domestication process that instills dynamic social behaviors, but it is up to you to foster them.
How Long Does it Take for Cats to Get Along?
It can take a few days, weeks, or months. And remember, if you are introducing a kitten to an adult female, the timeline will generally be longer and take more time for the adult female cat to adjust. Generically speaking, when introducing two adult cats to each other, adhere to the 3-3-3 rule; in other words, the first 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months of new animals living with each other represent very distinct milestones. The first three days are all about decompression, the first three weeks are for more consistent exploration, while the first three months represent a period of stability, consistency, and safety.
You can’t count on cats becoming best friends immediately, nor should you expect a highly convivial relationship. The goal is to foster a harmonious relationship that addresses individual character.
Before Bringing A New Cat Home: Tips and Tricks
Both resident and new cats should be healthy, vaccinated, and sterilized. You can’t take away individuality, so you must ensure that each cat will have separate litter boxes, food and water bowls, scratching posts, hiding spots, and toys. If the resident cat’s claws are clipped, you should do the same for the new cat. A pro tip involves “scent swapping,” which the Humane Society describes as getting blankets or towels that the new cat has slept on so that the resident cat can smell them before the introduction.
How to Set Up Your Space When First Introducing a New Cat
Unless your resident cat is a social butterfly, you must learn how to introduce two cats to each other carefully to avoid aggression. Your new cat must first get used to the new space and human household members, so you should designate a quiet, secluded room, closet, or corner. This space should include your new cat’s food bowls, a litter box, a comfortable sleeping spot, and toys. This would be your new cat’s temporary territory until your resident cat is ready to share.
The Best Ways to Introduce Two Cats to Each Other
Your new cat should not be stressed before the introduction; it should be comfortable in the new secluded space and all persons in your household. You should wait until the new feline is purring, reacting warmly to human affection, and being playful.
How to Introduce Cats to Each Other
After your new cat has been in its designated space for around 3-4 days, your resident cat will likely be curious about the scent via doorways and airflow. This is when you can take scent swapping to a higher level by exchanging blankets, towels, and toys. Observing behaviors is crucial when learning how to introduce cats; check for your resident cat raising its tail and rubbing against the exchanged item before progressing to supervised interaction.
You can open the door of the new cat’s space to encourage mutual exploration, but you must be there to check on their behavior. Both cats should receive human contact during these initial interactions; a good move is to have treats both can enjoy when they meet.
Warning Signs When Introducing Cats
Learning how to get cats to get along is a rewarding process, but it’s important to recognize when the introduction isn’t going smoothly. Early warning signs of aggressive discomfort include flattened ears, hard stares, tucked tails, hissing, and low growling. When you spot these signs, it is better to backtrack to the new cat’s designated space and attempt the introduction later.
How to Introduce a Kitten to an Adult Cat
The best way to introduce cats is when one is a kitten. This makes the integration process smoother; however, you should keep the kitten close to you in case of aggressive behavior. To get an idea of the process, you can search for videos posted online by cat owners on how to introduce a kitten to a cat so you can observe the dynamics before making the first introduction. In some cases, adult females will exhibit motherly behavior.
If you keep the introduction process gradual and positive while observing warning signs, both resident and new cats should be able to live in peace, even if they don’t become best friends right away. As long as you continue to provide safety and comfort, both cats should be able to live in harmony.
