5 Things you can do To Introduce Two Cats without Stress

Is it the time that you are thinking of bringing a new cat in the family? The prime focus here is how to do this so that the cat in the family is able to accept the new member. Cats do not like change. So the introduction procedure has to go slow. The nature of the cats involved, decide the difficulty level of the procedure. Some cats acclimate slower than others whereas some want to remain solo even after you carefully go through the introductions. Here are some steps that can be used to introduce two cats without stress:

Step 1- Research

This step actually starts when you have planned to bring in a new cat. Some research should be done before so as to learn about the history of the prospective cat. Once the prospect is chosen preparations should be made at home before bringing the cat. These include setting up a room with new toys, a litter box, water and food bowls and some perches. Also the vaccinations for both the new and the existing cats should be done away with.

Step 2 - Isolation

When the new cat arrives it must be isolated. It should not be coaxed or forced. Let it adjust to the room and to the environment on its own.

Step 3 - Adjustment

Before the actual meeting, it is essential that the cats adjust to the smell of each other. For this place a cloth or towel in the bedding area of both the cats. Swap this cloth every third day so as to make them adjust to each other's odor. Around the fifth day, the new cat should be introduced to other parts of the house. For this the resident cats and other pets should be locked and let the new cat explore the house.

Step 4 - Actual meeting

Once the cat has adjusted itself to its new environment it is time for the actual meeting of the two cats. This should generally be somewhere between ten to fourteen days after the new cat has come home. It is seen that young cats and kittens adapt to an environment readily. The best place to make the cats meet is a room that is familiar and comfortable for both of them. Also the new cat must be provided with an escape route. In case it is being introduced to more than one cat it should be done one at a time.

Step 5 - Sense of security

Once when both the cats face each other, do not intervene unless necessary. If either of them starts growling or hissing take the new cat away and leave the exercise for the next day. If after repeated attempts the angst stays then a vet should be consulted. It is important to build a sense of security in the new cat and at the same time the resident cat should not feel neglected. Hence both should feel secure. Artificial help in the form of pheromones or 'contentment' containing products are also available. Thus careful selection, cautious and slow introduction and limited intervention are needed when introducing two cats without stress, resulting in perfect harmony.