The second cat will not be made to feel welcome by the first cat
Cats are notoriously territorial and will act in a bad tempered way when they first catch sight of the second cat. So do not be surprised when you bring the new cat into the home, to find your normally mild, friendly first cat turning into a bully. He may hiss, growl and do all in his power to let the new cat know that he is invading his personal territory, in much the same way dogs warn off other dogs that come too close to their home. There will not be a friendly welcome. The first cat will be protecting his territory and telling the second cat in no uncertain terms to leave.
Keep the two cats separate
In order to lessen the trauma of the new cat as he settles into his new home environment, you will need to keep him apart from the first cat at first. This may not be easy, as the first cat is bound to be very curious about the new “intruder” and will try to seek out the new cat for a confrontation. An effective way to handle this situation is to keep the new cat apart from the first cat, preferably in the vicinity of the master bathroom and bedroom. Check up on the new cat periodically and see that he is not distressed. He may not be used to being shut away on his own. But hopefully, it will only be a temporary measure until the first cat gets used to the new cat. If the first cat likes to go outside for much of the day, you can use this to your advantage and let the second cat walk freely around the house until the first cat comes back home. Repeat this procedure for a few days.
Gradually introduce the cats
Cats will not take to each other straightaway, but will need time to get used to one another. The new cat will undoubtedly feel threatened by the new cat in the home. On the other hand, the new cat may want to get to know the first cat, but may not be able to do so for a few days. When a few days have elapsed, gradually bring the two cats together. Watch them as they interact together in the same room and make sure that you can remove the new cat if the first cat tries to attack the second cat. It will not be long before they can both be in the same room together without hissing and growling at one another. The longer you have had the first cat, the harder it may be for him to accept the new cat in their home. Be patient, as it will not happen overnight.
Separate beds, toys and food bowls
Try to keep each cat’s bed, toys, and food bowls separate from one another. It will make it easier for each cat to still feel that they have their own sleeping quarters, toys that are familiar to them and food bowls that are not shared. Once the cats become accustomed to one another, it may be possible for them to share, or it may not, depending on the animals. But do not force this upon the cats right away. They need to gradually get to know each other. The first cat will need to overcome his initial feelings of resentment and insecurity before he can move on and accept more changes in his life. The smaller the changes, the easier it will be to make a smoother transition from one cat to two.
Treat the cats equally
The first cat will hold a dearer spot in your heart because he has been with you longer, but that does not mean that you cannot still do your best to treat each cat equally. Reassure both cats that you care for both of them by praising them and stroking them. If one usually sits on your lap, try to encourage the other to also do so at some other time. Cats are jealous animals. If you doubt this, then watch the reaction of the one cat as you lavish attention on the other and you will see them staring at you and the other cat. They may even walk by and swat the cat sitting on your lap!
Introducing a second cat into the home is not an easy process. The first cat will not like it at first, but over time, he will begin to tolerate the second cat. They may even grow fond of one another and serve as good companions.
Liked it
User Comments
Aishah
On March 3, 2008 at 2:01 am
Hey Soph!I found your article very stress relieving. I’m very worried about my first cat as he showed signs of jealousy like staring and biting the two kittens I recently brought home. Even his health is affected; he vomited, which is unusual. After reading your article I’m glad that it’s a normal process and that time will sort everything out. Also I’m more prepared to try my best to care for my all my cats. Wish me luck!
jake
On July 19, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Thanks for this artical.it was so helpful. because my first cat is very territorial and the second one is so tiny i was scared they might fight and me first one might hurt my new kitten.. thanks so much heaps.
preston
On October 12, 2008 at 11:28 pm
my dad is getting remarried soon and we will be living in my new mom’s house. she has a cat named boo that is very territorial. my cat, jade, will be living with us too. we first introduced them today and they do not get along (AT ALL) so i’m glad i found your article. thanks!
Colleen
On November 26, 2008 at 7:01 pm
This article helped quite a bit. My normally docile Luna, who has never been affected when my neighbor’s cat wanders in to my apartment, has turned into a fierce bully. The poor kitten is appearing terrified as Luna is stalking her and growling and hissing up a storm but Luna just seems to be staking the claim of “this is mine” instead of really threatening her. I’ve never seen Luna this way but expected some of it since this was her place first.
Hatoon
On January 7, 2009 at 2:46 am
i juss bought a year an a half cat to my4 months pearla,i was suerpried to find out how terrified the big one from th samll one lool it’s so funny.i tried to force pearla but it dsnt work,im glad to fine ur article thhnnnnxxx.
Camilla
On January 12, 2009 at 6:19 am
You’re article makes me feel a bit better. We just introduced a 4 month old female cat to our 2 1/2yr old female cat. Our older cat has been the best cat ever, so playful and just a true sweetheart, but we work late hours and thought she could use a playmate. Now our older one will sniff noses but then hisses and growls at the new cat but no fights thankfully. It’s only been 2 days and we keep the new cat in the bathroom at night so the older can still have the house at night and when we’re not there until they adjust. I was afraid this wasn’t going to work but now I think I just need to give it more time than 2 days.
zoe
On April 24, 2009 at 3:20 pm
this has really helped as i have had a oriental cta for 4 months now and she is 8 months old and when i brought in the new cat who is 6 weeks old my current cat hissis and growls and runs of i just hope they get along soon im just worried about leaving the new kitten in a room on its own im bit confused as to whether i leave the kitten alone at night in the other room !!
florence
On May 8, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I have now a 6 weeks old kitten (female) who i have just brough back home (2 days). We have a 2 years old lovely very affectioned female. When I have the two cats in the living room, the first cat keeps looking for the kitten and once found just sits and stars at her. She doesn’t look agressive at all towards her, but is rather very curious and perplexe! However, the kitten gets very aggressive towards the first cat, even though she is so small and often it is eth first cat who runs away and is scared! I was expecting the reverse situation! How should I handle this!
M.Holcomb
On July 18, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I have a 1 yr old male cat that is very loving and i just brought home 2 female kittens that are about 4 mos old. so far the male doesn’t like either one. one of the females goes crazy wanting to fight and the other one just doesn’t care. going to try the separtion thing and see if it works. WISH ME LUCK!!!
Dezi
On August 15, 2009 at 9:34 am
I just brought home a 5 month old female kitten , and my 1year 1/2 old siamese cat seems quite upset with me. She has always been the princess of the house so now she see\’s the new cat and whenever the new cat comes to me or rubs on me her eyes dialate and she just gives me the evil eye, there has been hissing and growling but nothing more. She has tried to get closer to her when im in the other room but i think its more for curiosity?
Post Comment