Cats are very territorial animals and will always fight to defend their territory. Before bringing two or more cats together, it is important to follow particular guidelines to guarantee them a peaceful coexistence.
Steps
Step 1. Keep cats in separate rooms when you bring the newcomer into the house
Step 2. After a couple of days between sniffing and blowing under the door, place the newcomer in a pet carrier and place him in the cat room at home
Step 3. Let the cats get to know each other, snout to snout, but out of harm's way if they decide not to be friendly to each other
It is important for their safety, as well as yours, for them to meet for the first time protected by the door of the carrier.
Step 4. If both are positive, you can safely let the new cat into the room
If not, keep them in separate rooms and repeat the encounter with the carrier.
Step 5. Once the cats are in the same room together, keep proper distance and hold up a basket or similar to cover one of the cats if they decide to latch onto
Don't try to grab them while they're arguing because you could get hurt.
Step 6. Repeat this procedure from step 1 until the cats have acquired a familiarity
Advice
- Do not force them, especially kittens with adult cats. You would only cause further detachment.
- Introducing a new cat to your home can be very stressful for the current resident. Try to pay him more attention, he may feel violated and unloved.
- Take your time, do not rush to bring the two cats together. It may take one to 20 encounters, depending on the cats.
- Sometimes cats feel the need to demonstrate their domination over others, so they seek physical confrontation at all costs. But if they get overly aggressive, pull them apart immediately to avoid accidents.
- Neutered cats are usually calmer.
- Older cats generally do not accept new cats into their home. This is not always the case, but keep this in mind if you decide to adopt a new cat.
Warnings
- DO NOT try to interfere if your cats start fighting. Try securing them with an object like a towel or laundry basket and take one of them out of the room.
- Don't force a bond between cats. If there's no way to get them tied up, think about a new home for one of them.
- Sometimes cats reject a new family member and demonstrate this by urinating around the house or tearing up carpets. Do not blame him if he should take such an attitude, after all it is you who brought a stranger into the house!
