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Introducing a New Cat to a Household

Everyone loves having a new cat or kitten in the house, except the current resident cats.  Transitioning a new cat to a household of existing cats can be a difficult situation, but it can be made easier if you follow a few principles.

The first thing to remember is that cats are not social animals like dogs.  Any change in the household is most likely going to be perceived as a stressor.  Introductions must be very gradual, and that means by a cat’s standards.  If a new cat is brought in the home and not introduced gradually a stressful environment will be created and bad habits may develop such as overt aggression or elimination problems.  It is much easier to follow introduction principles, and go very gradually.

A transition room should be created for the new cat. This transition room will house the new cat as it is being gradually introduced into the family and should be a secure area. The door should latch securely and/or lock. Be sure to provide everything a cat may need including a feeding/watering site; a litterbox; perches at different vertical heights, hiding spots, scratching posts/pads, toys, etc. Remove any items of value, any items that may be dangerous lo the cat (e.g., plants, electric cords, strings), and any target items that may encourage inappropriate elimination (e.g., plush bath mats).

About 2 weeks prior to introduction of the new cat, a pheromone diffuser, Feliway®, should be placed in the home; one in the main area and one in the transition room.

Make any necessary adjustments to the house prior to the arrival of the new cat. This may include adding cat perches/cat trees around the home, litter boxes, and feeding stations; closing off access to the transition room that will contain the new cat; adding bells to the collars of anticipated bully cats, etc.

Identify favored activities/treats of the resident cats to use during introductions with the new cat.

When the new cat arrives, it should be placed in the transition room.

Place a dumbbell-type toy under the door that separates the new cat from the resident cats to encourage play at the barrier door; you can create a dumbbell- type toy by tying two cat toys together with heavy string.

Identify a common rag/towel/glove with which to pet each cat every day to facilitate scent transfer. Concentrate on wiping the towel against the cheek area and the base of the tail.

If there is overt persistent aggression at the barrier door, a neutral zone will have to be created by closing another door.

Identify favored activities/treats for the new cat.

When the new cat appears comfortably settled in the transition room, start to rotate segregation locations. If the new cat is particularly fearful, you may need to retain its ability to access its transition room as it explores the rest of the house. In this case, the resident cats will need to be contained elsewhere.

The next step is to progress to short (less than 5 minute) visual introductions. Cats are contained in some manner (in crates, on harnesses/leashes, behind doors with windows) so they can’t make physical contact but they can see each other. Try to engage cats in a favored activity in their respective locations during these visual opportunities. Perform these two to three times daily until all cats appear relaxed and there is no aggressive posturing.

Following these steps will help in making the transition for new and resident cats.  Be sure to go very slowly.  If problems develop when moving to the next step, go back to the previous step for a longer time.  Please feel free to call us if you have questions or problems with this process.

– Dr. Mary McCaine

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Sun: Closed