Integrating a cat into a home with other cats is not always an easy task. Doing it the correct way will save you a headache down the road.
Here are the recommended steps to get the cats to adapt to each other.
| 1. |
Keep the new cat isolated in a room with food, water, litter box and pet bed or blankets. |
| 2. |
After a few days exchange the pet bedding for each cat with the other cat so they get to know each other's scent. |
| 3. |
Keep trading bedding, toys, food dishes etc back and forth for another week so they more and more of each other scent integrated into their life. |
| 4. |
After 2 weeks or so take the new cat out into the house area and put the other cat into the new cat's room so they can explore better. Do this over and over again so they new cat gets used to being in the rest of the house and the scents and other cat gets used to being surrounded by the new cat's scent. |
| 5. |
Within 3 - 4 weeks if everything is going well and there isn't hissing going on, leave the door open to the cat's room and let both cats meet in person on their own terms. Do not force them to be together, just open the door and keep a watchful eye. |
| 6. |
Over the next month, keep the door to the room open for longer and longer time periods until the cats are friendly with each. Once they are friendly (which should be in about 2 months or even longer), feel free to leave the cats unattended together. |
| 7. |
Give both cats lots of extra love and attention so the current cat doesn't feel he/she is being replaced and the new cat knows his/her life will be safe now with a new loving family.
BE PATIENT AND DO NOT FORCE IT!!! IT WILL MAKE THINGS WORSE. |
Good luck!
