How do I introduce a second cat to our resident cat?
BilluBnB team·3 views
Our 3-year-old cat is the queen of the house. We want to adopt a kitten. What's the least stressful way?
1 answer
BilluBnB team
Go slowly — the slower you go, the faster it works. Start with the newcomer in a separate room (with their own tray, bowls and bed), health-checked by your vet first. Swap blankets so each cat learns the other's smell. Feed them on either side of the closed door so the smell of the other means food. After a few days, let them see each other through a baby gate or a door crack, then short supervised visits.
Hissing and a few swats are normal; chasing with real fighting is a cue to go back a step. It can take a couple of weeks — or a couple of months.
Go slowly — the slower you go, the faster it works. Start with the newcomer in a separate room (with their own tray, bowls and bed), health-checked by your vet first. Swap blankets so each cat learns the other's smell. Feed them on either side of the closed door so the smell of the other means food. After a few days, let them see each other through a baby gate or a door crack, then short supervised visits.
Hissing and a few swats are normal; chasing with real fighting is a cue to go back a step. It can take a couple of weeks — or a couple of months.