Are you considering adopting a second cat? There are few things cuter than seeing two kitties snuggled up together. Of course, first impressions are a big deal to our feline pals, so you’ll need to take steps to make sure that introduction goes well. A FM 1960 North, TX vet offers some advice on this below.

Choosing The Right Cats

This really is half the battle. You’ll need to consider both kitties’ ages, histories, and purrsonalities. If your resident feline has always been an only pet, she’s probably not going to be thrilled to find herself a roommate. The outlook of course gets brighter with a kitten: not even other cats can resist that level of cuteness! 

Separate Them

Don’t introduce your furry pals right away. Start them out in separate rooms. You’ll want to put your new arrival in a quiet back room, such as a spare room. Chances are, Fluffy and Mittens will soon sniff each other out, and start playing pawsies under the door. That’s fine! Switch them around so your new kitty can explore and they can get used to each other’s scents.

Introduction

The official introduction should happen with a barrier, such as a cat carrier or baby gate. You may see some hissing at first, but this should dissipate steadily. If they fight, separate them and go back to step one.

Make Pawsitive Reactions

At this stage, you really want to drive home the point that fun things happen when Fluffy and Mittens are together. Offer lots of treats and catnip, and take time to entertain them with dual play sessions. It’s very, very important that you do not play favorites at this stage. That can create jealousy, which can set the whole process back.

Be Patient

Don’t be surprised if your feline friends don’t immediately become bffs. It can take cats time to get used to one another. In fact, it may take up to a year for your furry buddies to really accept each other. During that time, things could go a few different ways. Ideally, they’ll become buddies, and enjoy napping and playing together. They may also just decide to ignore each other. That’s fine, too. However, if you see continued aggression, consult a vet or pet behaviorist.

Do you have questions about your cat’s health or care? Contact us, your FM 1960 North, TX pet hospital, today!