Introducing two cats

Introducing a new cat to another is not a child’s play. Here are a few things to be kept in mind before they meet.

If aggression, be it smooth…

Sometimes introducing one cat to another goes very smoothly, without any fur flying or scratching and biting. Regrettably, this is not always the case and steps need to be put in place to do this slowly. Make absolutely sure that both cats have had their nails trimmed and smoothed with an emery board to avoid serious scratching. Indoor cats should always have their nails trimmed and smoothed down on a regular basis.
Tidy kitty, germ free…
Never bring a new cat into your home without isolating him for 2-3 days to make sure that there is no chance to pass on any virus or infection.
Cordial climate, better understanding…
The social adjustment of two cats can usually bring about a fair bit of sniffing, crying and jealousy. The cat who has lived in the house for sometime will try to dominate the new arrival just to let her know who is boss and this is his territory. Usually they will settle down after a few days and peace will reign. When you are watching them, they will generally act as if they are not getting along but when you leave them alone, very often they will settle down together and be good friends.
Means for being intimate…
I have found that by rubbing butter on to the new cat’s coat attracts the resident cat and once he has washed the coat of the new cat, they become friends. As with many animals, washing is a sign that they are bonding. It is important to make sure that the new cat has the ability to get away on her own if she is frightened or upset.
Familiar smelling…
I always believe that when picking up a new cat/kitten, it is a good idea to place a blanket that the existing cat has slept on for 2-3 days so that the smell can be transferred to the new cat. This really is a good idea because smell is very important to cats and it helps to lessen the smells of the new animal’s original surroundings. You can also rub the blanket over the new cat before letting him out of the carry box.
Change without realising…
One of the most important things to remember is that you MUST always keep making a fuss of the resident cat to avoid him feeling ignored. Cats are very sensitive to any changes in the way their parents treat them and if ignored for the newcomer they can become very despondent, jealous and often very naughty.
Just keep these things in mind and we hope that your resident feline welcomes the new one with open arms (or paws, I should say!).