Adopting a new cat is a wonderful experience, but introducing it to other pets in the house can be a real challenge.
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Keep reading to check out some tips from veterinary technician Paula Plummer, from the School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M, to make this moment more peaceful for everyone!
1. Create a safe zone
Owners should place their new cat in a safe and isolated area, such as a room or office, where all its needs (food, water, litter box, toys, bed, etc.) are met.
“Cats need their own private areas so that they can adjust to their new environment in their own time, but they should also have lots of positive interactions with anyone living in the home to know humans are safe,” explained Plummer to The Paris News.
“How long it takes for a cat to adjust is dependent on each cat, and signs that a cat hasn’t adjusted to their safe zone because they are scared, anxious or stressed include hiding, putting distance between what they are scared of and themselves or trying to escape from their environment.”
2. Share items between the animals
According to the veterinarian, allowing newly arrived cats to smell items from other animals, whether a favorite toy, a towel, or a bed, gives them time to get used to the smell of the other animal before they meet. “For the same reason, owners will need to give their existing animals items belonging to the new cat,” suggested Plummer.
3. Introduce your cat to the other pets in the house slowly
When your cat is feeling calm and comfortable in its new home, as evidenced by them resting, sleeping, and continuously interacting with humans, they are ready to meet the other animals in the house.
Since most cats are not leash trained, Plummer suggested putting the cats in a carrier when introducing them to other animals. “New cats should be in a carrier so that the cat is still in a safe, protected zone,” said Plummer.
“People may want to hold the new animal in their arms but that can be dangerous if the introduction doesn’t go well; they could get scratched or bitten, or the cat may attack the other animal”, warned the expert.
“If the interaction goes positively, owners should increase the amount of time the animals are around each other while keeping the cat in the carrier.”
When the animals seem comfortable with each other after several encounters, owners can start letting the animals be loose together in an open environment during supervised meetings.
Plummer emphasizes that owners need to be cautious and focused during this interaction phase to avoid injuries to the pets, especially in homes that include dogs.
4. Allow your cat to leave the safe zone
After a new cat leaves its isolated space and joins the rest of the family, it’s important to note the area it identifies as its new safe zone so that its belongings can be transferred there.
“Cats eventually choose their own private space. If owners put bedding in one place but always find their cat sleeping and resting somewhere else, then that’s where the cat has chosen their space to be instead,” explained Plummer.
“Just be sure that the same space hasn’t been chosen by another animal so that there is no competition over items, like a bed, litter box or food bowl.”
Cats may also start exploring and testing boundaries as they become more comfortable in their new home and around other animals, which is why owners should consider additional precautions to keep their cat safe.
Each cat is unique, so how they adapt to a new home and the time it takes to do so can vary. But by slowly introducing new cats to other pets, owners can ensure that the furry members of the family develop positive relationships that will last for many years.
