How To Introduce A Cat To Other Cat

So, you've decided to add a new member to your cat family? Exciting times ahead but…

While you're already picturing them curled up together, being the best of friends, here's the thing - cats aren't exactly known to enjoy surprises.

Bring home a new cat without a proper introduction, and you might end up with hissing, swatting, hiding, or worse - two cats who refuse to make eye contact.

However, with the right approach, you can turn potential enemies into companions (or at least peaceable housemates).

Want to do this right? Purrfeto is here for you with this guide on how to introduce a cat to other cat (Step-By-Step). Take out some time and read this before you bring the new entrant home.

Preparing To Introduce a Cat

Before you bring your new furball home, let's talk strategy.

Think of this like setting up for a house guest who's never met your current roommate - except both roommates have claws, strong opinions about personal space, and zero interest in "talking it out."

First things first, your new cat needs their own territory for the first week or so. Pick a quiet room - a guest bedroom, home office, or even a large bathroom. Not the laundry room where the washing machine randomly roars to life.

Once you have this covered, remember this: cat introductions aren't one-size-fits-all. Some cats click within days, others take weeks or even months to feel comfortable. Both are completely normal. The key is patience and following their pace, not the calendar.

How Many Litter Boxes Do You Need For Multiple Cats?

Next up, here's the simple rule to follow:

• One litter box per cat, plus one extra.
  For example:

  • 1 cat - 2 litter boxes
  • 2 cats - 3 litter boxes
  • 3 cats - 4 litter boxes

This extra little box is not unnecessary - it acts as a backup. If one box is dirty, or blocked your feline friend can still have a clean, stress free option available.

Why does this matter?

• Prevents territorial disputes: Cats are territorial creatures. In multi-cat homes, one cat might block or guard a litter box, leaving the other cat stressed and searching for alternatives (like your carpet).
• Provides choice: Some cats prefer to urinate in one box and defecate in another. The extra box allows them a preference without competition.
  Ensures cleanliness: Cat can be picky about hygiene, if a box isn't fresh enough, having an extra box helps prevent avoidance.
• Reduces stress: Limited access to clean litter boxes can trigger stressful conditions like feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). More boxes = less stress.

Pro tip: Use unscented clumping litter. Cats have sensitive noses, and heavily perfumed litter can be off-putting. Also, avoid covered litter boxes. They might look tidier to you, but to a cat, they can feel like traps.

Week 1: Total Separation

The day the new cat comes home, take her directly into her new room without allowing any contact with the resident cat. Even visual contact between cats can cause stress and start the relationship off negatively.

Don’t worry. You’ll have your time to introduce the cat but wait for the right moment.

For now, allow the new cat time to decompress in her new environment before progressing further in the process.

Week 2: Scent Swapping

Encourage positive associations between the cats while they’re separated. Do this by feeding treats or their regular meal near the door that separates them.

Using a familiar meal like Purrfeto Dry Cat Food with Chicken & Salmon during this period helps establish a consistent feeding routine. Made with high-quality protein and essential nutrients, it supports strong muscles, immunity, and overall vitality. Psyllium husk supports digestion and helps reduce hairball formation, while cranberries help lower the risk of urinary tract disorders (UTD) by up to 40%, promoting long-term urinary health in cats. Enriched with vitamins A, D3, E, taurine, and trace minerals, it also helps maintain healthy skin, a shiny coat, and supports heart and vision health.

How do you do it? Mealtime should mean placing bowls far enough for both cats to walk up, eat, and walk away.

By the way, if you’re looking for a comforting meal during this transition period, purrfeto wet cat food such as tuna plattler in jelly offers hydration and gentle protein, and is wheat gluten-free to support sensitive tummies, enriched with Omega-3 for a healthy coat, packed with taurine for vision and heart health, and fortified with essential vitamins A, D3, and E—all of which help support overall health for cats, including those with food sensitivities.

When the cats seem relaxed around each other’s scent from under the door, take an item from each other’s territory and place it in the other cat’s environment.

It can be something as small as a toy or a soft cloth that has been wiped around each cat’s mouth to give each cat a sample of the other’s pheromones. See how they react.

While you’re busy arranging for all this, please note your presence also matters to your furry friends. Spend quality time with them individually and in case of the new cutie, get her used to your ways.

Week 3: Visual Contact

With both cats now aware of each other’s scent, take the leap and let them make eye contact.

Start by cracking the door slightly open - enough for them to see each other. Next up, choose a neutral space for this - not your resident cat's favorite lounging spot or the new cat's safe room. Somewhere that neither claims as their territory.

Don’t let this meeting last more than 15 minutes. This isn't the time to see how long they can tolerate each other. End the session while they're still calm, not after things have escalated.

If you’re expecting instant connections, you’re mistaken. Bring out their cat food and see how they react to each other being fed. Repeat this for a couple of days. If there’s no hissing or overtly aggressive behaviour, you can consider taking this meeting further and letting them explore each other’s rooms.

Always remember, never force the initiative. Be gentle and accommodating. This is a key aspect to keep in mind when it comes to cat adaptation.

Analyzing Progress

When Things Aren't Going Well, If you're seeing these signs consistently, it's time to slow down and revisit earlier stages:

• Ears flattened against the head: This is a fear or aggression mode. Your cat is saying, "I'm not comfortable here."
• Rigid body posture: A tense, frozen body means your cat is on high alert, ready to fight or flee.
• Furr standing on end: That puffed-up look? It's your cat trying to appear bigger and more threatening.
• Bared teeth and hissing: The universal "back off" signal. If this happens during every interaction, you're moving too fast.
• Dilated pupils: Wide, dark eyes indicate stress, fear, or over-stimulation.

If one or both cats are displaying multiple warning signs at once, separate them immediately and go back a step. There's no shame in taking it slower.

When You’re On The Right Track

These are the green lights you want to see:

• Ears pointed forward: Relaxed and curious. Your cat is open to what's happening around them.
• Loose body posture: A relaxed body means a relaxed mind. If your cat is moving naturally and not frozen in place, that's progress.
• Tail straight up or gently curved: The "happy tail" position. When the fur is flat (not puffed), it signals confidence and friendliness.
• Calm proximity: If they can be in the same room without constant monitoring of each other, you're golden.
• Mutual grooming: Jackpot! If you see them grooming each other or engaging in gentle play, congratulations - you've successfully introduced your cats.

Conclusion

Introducing cats isn't a sprint - it's a marathon with a few hurdles thrown in. And always remember: Don’t measure success by how fast they become friends - measure it by how peacefully they share a home.

Be patient with the process, trust what your cats are communicating through their body language and remember every calm moment is a big win.