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Why manage introductions

  • Develop good associations

    Managed introductions help the catss create a good association with one another and increases the likelihood that they will develop a positive and healthy relationship

  • Safety and comfort

    Managing introductions between cats helps ensure the safety and comfort for both animals and reduces the risk of aggressive or other fear based behaviors

  • Avoid overstimulation

    Gradually introducing the cats can help them feel calm and relaxed in each other's presence, and prevent the animals from feeling stressed or overstimulated

"Introducing Your Cats"

Steps for introducing your cats

Introducing your cats is all about patience, space management and being aware of how all animals are feeling. Follow these steps when introducing your cats:


• Introduce your animals in stages. Put your cats in separate rooms with separate bowls, beds, and litter boxes. Keep their food on either side of the same door to create a positive association to the smell and sounds of each other while they are eating, but not interacting. Every day have the cats swap rooms, this will help them get comfortable with each other’s scent.


• Graduate to a face-to-face introduction. If the cats seem relaxed after one week, allow them to see each other at a distance. If the cats are interested in each other, and seem comfortable, allow them to meet. Greetings should be short, sweet, and always under supervision.


• Reward through every encounter. Give each cat plenty of treats and rewards throughout each interaction. This will help the cats develop good associations about each other.


• If either animal shows signs of stress, separate them immediately. You will also want to take a step back, keep them on either side of a closed door, provide them with a blanket that smells like the other cat, and retry a face to face introduction in the future.


• Move at the pace of the more tentative animal. When considering how to proceed with the introduction process, make decisions based on how your more tentative cat is feeling.


• Be cautious when allowing the cats to roam freely. Do not allow the cats to roam freely in the same space until both animals are comfortable, and you are confident that everyone can stay safe and happy.


• Offer both animals a safe space. Even after the cats are living comfortably together, continue to offer each animal a safe space to retreat to whenever they need a break. This could mean a well equipped bathroom for one cat and a laundry room for the other cat. Each space should be equipped with food, water, a scratching post and bed.


What to do if your cats aren't getting along

Initial steps


• Separation. If either cat is showing signs of distress or aggression, put your cats in separate rooms with separate bowls, beds, and litter boxes.


• Build good associations. Keep their food on either side of the same door to create a good association with the smell and sounds of each other while they are eating but not interacting.


• Room swapping. Every day, have the cats swap rooms to help them get comfortable with each other's scent.


Gradual Re-Introduction


• See each other at a distance. If the cats seem relaxed after one week, allow them to see each other at a distance. If they aren't relaxed after one week, wait another week.


• Brief re-introduction. If the cats are interested in each other and seem comfortable, allow them to meet. Greetings should be short, sweet, and always under supervision. 


• Build duration. If the cats are comfortable, you can slowly increase the time they spend together.


• Act quickly. Do your best to always end the interaction before either animal shows signs of stress. If one or both animals show signs of stress, separate them immediately and try again another day.  


Long term steps to set your cats up for success


• Provide separate resources. Ensure that each cat has their own food and water dishes, litter box, and safe space to minimize competition for resources.


• Enrichment opportunities. Offer toys, scratching posts, and perches to keep your cats mentally and physically stimulated, reducing boredom and tension.


• Positive reinforcement. Reward good behavior with treats and affection to reinforce positive interactions between your cats and encourage a peaceful coexistence.