(Video Tips) How To Introduce Two Cats To Each Other

June 7, 2015 by Ozzi Cat Magazine in Cat Behaviour

How to introduce two cats to each other? The best approach is to think like a cat and see the situation through the cat’s eyes. Here are two fantastic videos showing how to introduce a cat to another cat. Take a look and share your experience!

Kitten to Cat Introduction – Video 1

Shorty and Kodi, two cats that are going to live in one family. Shorty is the current family resident, while Kodi, the kitten, is a new member. Tips their cat parents used to introduce the kitties to each other:

Let them say “Hello” through a closed door
Let them say “Hello” through an opened door
Show your cat that the new kitten is a friend
Let the new cat explore the room, but be prepared for the other cat’s reaction
Make sure the new cat has a place to hide
Be patient while the new kitten adjusts to the new environment
Distract the cats with toys so they concentrate on the game and see they can play with each other
Supervise the playtime during the first days
Let the cats play with each other. (If cats don’t scream, or don’t show signs of aggression or irritation during a game, it’s an okay playtime)
Praise the cats and show your love to each cat at the same time
Relax, cross your fingers and hope for the best. Some things take time.

Watch how these cat introduction tips worked in reality:

Kitten to Cat Introduction – Video 2

Watch Teego and Freya demonstrating how to introduce an 11-weeks-old new kitten to a 6-years-old Bengal cat for first time. Their cat dad has done a fantastic job filming the cat behaviour!

Slow vs Rapid Introduction. Which One Does Work?

Quite a few of us do not use a slow introduction. Is that good or not? From my experience, it all depends on cats’ personalities. Some cats are outgoing and welcome new cats. Other cats like to be on their own and to be kings or queens of the territory.

If you have previously introduced other cats to your existing ones and it went very smoothly, the “here is our new family member, live with that” method may work. Although if the new cat is stressed by a rapid introduction, the new kitty may have behavioural and litter tray problems. The safest bet is a slow introduction.

Things to remember – a cat-to-cat introduction can take time. Let cats adjust to each other’s smell. Always give the new cat a place to hide – it can be a carrier in which you brought the kitty. Have separate litter boxes. Don’t force to eat from the same bowl.

Will My Cats Cuddle With Each Other?

Whether your cats will cuddle with each other over time depends on cats’ personalities. Some cats are truly solitary. They don’t show aggression towards other cats in the family. They happily share some playtime. But they like to be on their own and follow their own rules. Such cats are not likely to cuddle with others or it can take a long time, may be years, before that will happen.

Although we all want a happy picture of our kitties cuddling with each other, it can look ideal only in our, human, eyes. From a cat’s perspective this may be not an ideal situation. It is okay if your cats don’t cuddle with each other. Accept them who they are. Showing respect to their need and desire to be alone, or separate, is a quality of a caring cat parent.