So I’m getting a new cat today. I’m just wondering how exactly to introduce my new cat to my cat I’ve had since June. In my house there’s a sunroom which is where my cats litter box and food is, and connected to that is the living room and all the other rooms. So I was thinking of keeping the cat I have now in the sunroom, it’s a smaller room than the rest of the house but it has her cat tree and litter box and food. And I was thinking I’ll have the new cat have access to the living room and other rooms. Do you think that’s okay for the cat I have now? I heard you need to keep the cats apart for a week. I just feel bad that the cat I have now won’t have much space, but it does have her essentials and I dont think I should move them. What do you think?
Answers & Comments
You need another litter tray and don't lock you cat up for a week sepatately, I would have one cat in one room, the other in the other room for a couple of hours, the swap over that way each will smell the other, then open the door and let them mix DO NOT FORCE a meeting the resident cat is likely to get up on something high and watch, it might hiss but generally within a day or two it will go and see the new one
Keep the new cat completely separated from your current cat. Your new cat needs their own food and water bowls, and their own litter box.
Keep the new cat separated for at least a week. It doesn't matter if this space is very small, you should be in there daily playing with and caring for this cat. This allows the new cat to get used to the routine of the house, and to get used to the new smells. This also gives your current cat time to get used to the smell of the new cat.
Do scent swapping, and feed them both near the door that separates them. If they will eat near the door, then you are ok to open the door op and let the new cat explore the house.
Keep in mind there will be fights, but you shouldn't step in unless one is getting hurt. Your current cat will tell this new cat where his place is the groups is, let this happen.
Keep one cat in one area, the other cat in another area, with a closed door between them.
They will smell each other by sniffing at the bottom of the door, and gradually get used to each other. You have to decide when you think they are ready to meet face-to-face ... a week is minimum time you keep them separated.
The cat you have now will be happy to have her essentials with her .. food, water, litter box, cat tree .. these are the things she likes the most. You might want to put the new cat in a room (maybe the bathroom with litter box/food) for a few hours a day and give your present cat the run of the living room/etc for a while. This will give the cats additional exposure to each other's scent.