For cats, first impressions matter and can set the tone for the relationship to come. When introductions are done too hastily, it can make reintroduction later trickier. Use this guide to create a successful introduction between a new addition and an established kitty in the home.

Be Proactive  
Before adopting or bringing the new pet in, consider setting up your home in advance. In the weeks before, we recommend plugging in Feliway Multi Cat diffusers throughout the home. This will set the ambiance for a calm and cat healthy environment by utilizing synthetic pheromones to calm cats. Not to worry, Feliway does not have a scent that humans can detect but is highly regarded among cats. In addition, reach out to your veterinarian who has an established relationship and history with your existing cat. They can help to decide if any supplements or medications should be added to aid in a smooth transition. 

Scent Swapping
The next step is scent swapping, which involves taking a blanket or other object that belongs to each cat and swapping them out for one other. This should happen before the new cat is introduced to the home. Place the object from the new cat in a well loved place in the home for the resident cat, such as a favorite sleeping spot or cat tower. You may place treats on top to entice and reinforce feelings of positivity regarding the new smells. Allow the resident cat to explore and approach the object at their own pace.   

Hone in on Home Base
The new addition to the home will be nervous too, so it is important to create a small and secure place with all of his or her needs. A favorite for this includes small rooms such as a bathroom or smaller bedroom. Ensure this is done ahead of time, as the new cat will be spending most of their time here before acclimating to everything that is new. It can be helpful to bring home familiar toys and blankets to add to the space. 

Slow Steps
Once home, the new pet will go to their home base and the resident cat should receive lots of special attention and praise. Add positive reinforcement whenever the resident approaches the door of the home base. The cats should slowly get to know each other through the door. Consider treating and feeding the cats separately, but near one another, through the boundary of the door. Scent swapping should continue as you exchange items from the resident cat into the new cat’s home base and vice versa. 

Watch and Wait
Healthy introductions take time and patience, there is no rush! It may take a few weeks of scent swapping and interactions through the door until the cats are comfortable enough to have a proper meeting. The first full encounter should be short in duration, safely supervised, and controlled. 

Brush up on Behavior
It is important to have a broad understanding of feline body language and stress signals in order to know when to intervene and when to take the role of an active observer. Consider referring to the visual from Fear Free Happy Homes to help identify signs of fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS).

Watch, Reward, Repeat
In each controlled interaction, reward and praise the pets for desired behaviors of coexistion and calmness. High value treats for cats include, but are not limited to, pureed treats such as Churus, Freeze dried novel proteins, and those with strong scents (as cats are highly motivated by scent regarding their food choices).