Pet Adoption – Cats

Tips for Introducing a New Cat to the Household

If you are excited about adding a new member to the family but unsure about how your resident pets will react, the following points will help ensure a smooth and friendly transition for your new feline friend.

• Before you bring your new cat home, take it to a veterinarian for an examination, even if it seems healthy. The exam may turn up fleas, ear mites or diseases that can easily spread to your other pets.
• Keep it separated from your other pets for the first two weeks.
• Confine the new cat to one room with its own food, water, and litter box.
• Spend a few hours a day in the room with the new cat.
• Allow your resident cat(s) and the new kitty get acquainted by sniffing under the door.
• After a couple of weeks, open the door so the cats can see each other. You will know by their reactions whether or not they are ready for the next step.
• If they do not fight, allow them to roam freely for several hours under your close supervision. Then separate them for the rest of the day. If they do fight or show signs of stress, separate them again. The amount of time the cats can spend together peacefully will gradually increase.