If you’re thinking about adopting more than one cat, it’s important to know how to introduce cats to each other properly for a happy multi cat household. Some cats quickly bond with their new feline family members while others are hesitant to share the attention with another cat. Hopefully, these tips for introducing cats can help the process go smoothly.
How to Introduce Cats to Each Other
After adopting a second cat, you can’t just let them roam free with your first cat and expect everything to go smoothly. Instead, you need to take it slow to ensure the cats get along.
Find a Good Match
Not all cats will get along with every cat they meet, but that’s okay. If you already have a cat at home, it’s important to find another cat that will mesh well with your current pet. For example, if your cat likes to have personal space, you may want to get a laid-back adult cat rather than an energetic kitten.
Prepare a Separate Room
When you first bring a new cat home, you should designate one room as their space. Place all their necessities in that room, including food, water, a litter box, and toys. Keep your new cat in their separate room for at least a few days, but consider keeping them separate for longer if your cat is hesitant to warm up to new pets.
Keeping your new cat in their own room can help them decompress and make it easier for the two cats to get used to each other.
Introduce the Cats Through the Door
While your new cat is in their own room, you can have your other cat meet them through a barrier, such as a closed door. Let the cats sniff each other under the door and monitor their behaviours.
Positive behaviors could include a relaxed body posture, ears pointed forward, fur lying flat, and an upright tail. Negative behaviors could include a stiff body posture, ears pointed back, fur standing on end, dilated pupils, and showing teeth.
Reward each cat when they remain calm while smelling the other cat. Whenever you notice negative behaviors, that’s a sign that the cats need more time to get used to each other’s smells.
After a few days of meeting through the door, you can try having the cats meet through a different barrier that allows them to see each other, such as a gate. That way, they can still have their space as they get used to each other.
Remove the Barrier
Once both cats seem comfortable interacting with each other through a barrier, you can remove the gate and give your new cat a chance to explore the rest of your home. Closely monitor all interactions between the two cats, and if they show any signs of stress, separate them again just to be safe.
Whenever the cats are unsupervised, keep them separated until you’re confident they’ll get along.
Litter Boxes for Multiple Cats
Two cats should never have to share a litter box. As a rule of thumb, you should have at least one litter box per cat plus one extra. That way, you won’t have to worry about your two cats fighting over the same litter box. All the litter boxes should be visible and easily accessible to your cats.
If you have a large home, you may need more litter boxes than recommended to ensure that there’s always one nearby when your cats need to go. Make sure all the litter boxes are kept at a distance from each other so your cats can have space when they do their business.
The best cat litter for multiple cats varies depending on the cat owner’s preferences. Many cat owners prefer clumping litter because it makes it easy to spot-clean all the litter boxes daily. However, some clumping litter can include dangerous ingredients, so look at the details of the litter closely. Litter that’s affordable and lightweight is often easier for a multiple cat household to manage.
The type of litter box you choose will depend on the cats’ personalities. Some cats want a litter box that’s easily accessible while others prefer a covered litter box for privacy. If you’re unsure what your new cat likes, consider getting several types to see which one they use the most.
Feeding Stations for Multiple Cats
When setting up feeding stations for a multi cat household, make sure each cat’s food and water bowl is at a distance from the other cat’s bowls. Some cats may even prefer to not see other cats while they’re eating. By setting up distanced feeding stations, you’ll prevent your cats from fighting over food.
In a multi cat household, it’s a good idea to feed the cats at designated times rather than letting them free feed. That way, you can keep track of how much each cat is eating and ensure that one isn’t stealing the other’s food. If you’re not able to feed the cats every day, you can get an automatic feeder that dispenses food at a certain time.
Feliway for Multiple Cats Can Help
Even if you follow all the steps for how to introduce two cats, it might not go smoothly. Feliway products can help make the process easier for both you and your cats. The classic Feliway product is a diffuser that reduces signs of stress in cats, helping both your cats feel more relaxed when they meet each other.
To use the diffuser, simply plug it into the room where your cats spend the most time. Make sure it’s not behind furniture or near air conditioners or windows since drafts could carry the pheromones away, making them ineffective. The diffuser must be refilled every 30 days for the best results.
Cat parents have reported less scratching, urine spraying, hiding, and cat conflict with a Feliway product in their home. Thus, it’s great for helping two cats get used to each other.
With These Tips, Introducing Cats Can Go Smoothly
When it comes to how to introduce cats, following the above tips is the way to go. Some cats may get along right away while others may need their space. So, it’s always best to go slow to ensure a stress-free transition for both of your feline companions.