Each household has its own unique way of running and for that reason, there isn’t an exact science to introducing a new cat to your cats. Cats have different temperaments, so it can be hard to be sure you’re creating a positive introduction. However, cats are also very instinctual and there are things you can do to help the process run as smoothly as possible. A successful introduction is all about adopting a feline with personality traits that will mesh with your other cats. You’ll need to understand each pet’s situation, prepare for special cases, and get used to the new normal.

Adopting the Right Feline for your Home

We don’t always get to choose the new cat that we welcome into our families. When you adopt the stray that winds up on your porch, or you adopt one from a family member or friend, many times you get the cat you get. You provide it home because it needs one. However, if you adopt a cat from a shelter setting, you can avoid a lot of personality clashes by scoping out the right temperament fit for your home.

For instance, if the cat(s) you currently have enjoy playing, you might want to get a playful cat. If your cat(s) enjoys sleeping, you may want to find a more mellow or older cat. Personality matches can help them live cohesively.

Remember, it’s not just about finding the right fit for your other cats; it’s also about finding the right one for you, your family, and your lifestyle too. If you have kids, other pets, or you travel a lot, you’ll want to find a cat who is okay with those things. In addition to finding the right personality, be sure you’re bringing a cat home that has all of its vaccinations and one that’s microchipped. Be sure to enroll your new feline’s chip with AKC Reunite. Likewise be sure your current pets’ vaccinations and enrollment information are up-to-date as well.

Managing Your New Cat

When introducing your new cat to your home, it’s important to think about how they must be feeling. Many cats don’t like change, and being adopted into a new home is scary for them. They don’t know you, the new environment, nor do they know the other people or animals in your home. For that reason, it’s important to give your new cat plenty of time to feel safe. Just as you would take precautions when moving your current pets to a new home, your new cat will require many of the same precautions. Allow them to have an area to themselves for a while – preferably a cozy bedroom or office space. Provide them with somewhere to hide, a bed, food, water and a litter box.

Slowly introduce your current feline’s scent to your new cat by rubbing a rag on your current cat and placing it near the new cat’s food. This will help your new cat to associate your current cat’s smell with something positive, like eating. Do the same for your pets and your newcomer’s scent. If your new cat and your other cat(s) initiate a meeting without incident, feel free to allow them to do so. If you have a dog, take care in introducing your new cat to your dog as well.

Managing Your Current Cats

Your current cat(s) don’t like change either, and a newcomer may feel like a trespasser. Felines can sometimes use aggression, marking, or destructive behavior as a response to a new animal, so to help ease these responses by allowing each animal to take their time. Some smelling and hissing is to be expected. If you see more aggressive behavior, like flattened ears or crouching, distract them with a loud noise (like a rattle) or herd them away from each other until they can try again.

For cats who are the “only child,” they may have a harder time with the introduction due to a lack of experience in this area. Be prepared for that meeting to take longer. If your current cats are becoming more aggressive, feel free to reach out to your shelter, vet, or cat behaviorist to help you with more tactics to help your cats live cohesively.

If you’re introducing a cat that is a special case, be prepared to take precautions in their meeting. Special cases can mean adopting a semi-feral cat, a cat who has been declawed, an under-socialized cat, or a cat with special needs. Cats in these special cases will need more time to adjust, so patience is a must. Keep a watchful eye because these types of cats can be more aggressive because of their circumstances. Don’t worry – even if they are more aggressive, it doesn’t mean they are a lost cause. They’ll just need more time, patience, and careful monitoring to ensure everyone’s safety.

A declawed cat requires special care so that they don’t get in a fight where they can’t defend themselves — which is also why they shouldn’t be outside at all. If you’re introducing a declawed cat to home where you cats have claws, you may want to consider trimming your current cat’s nails for everyone’s safety.

Your New Normal

It’s best to be prepared for what your new normal will look like. For some multi-cat homes, the cats live in one dwelling cohesively, almost as slightly disdainful roommates. They may hiss at each other every now and again, but they never become bonded. That’s totally okay, and many cats are fine with this normal. Other cats meet and enjoy the company of another feline friend. They may groom each other and play, or at least sleep on the same couch near each other. That’s okay, too — no one’s normal is identical. Introducing cats to each other can be stressful for you and your current cat(s) but the end of the day, your cats will adapt and establish their own version of “normal.”