How to Introduce a Cat to Other Animals

Whether you bring a new cat into a home that already has an animal, or you bring a new animal into a home with a cat, the adjustment takes time for everyone. Over time, either the animals become friends or they only tolerate each other. Either way, you must put a lot of effort into making sure all goes well when you introduce your pets.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Start when the cat is young. While dogs make friends with other animals much easier and much later in life, the chance of a cat becoming friends with a new animal is dramatically higher if it is introduced in the first seven weeks of his life.

2. Get pets at the same time. If you are planning to be a multi-cat household or want a dog and a cat, acquire them at the same time, preferably when they are both young and let them grow up together. This will speed the introduction process and produce better long term results. If you get a cat first and plan to get another animal later, give the cat experiences with other animals when she is young.

3. Let the cat have his own territory. Cats are territorial animals and do not appreciate another animals encroaching on their territory. If getting a new cat, give this cat his own room away from other animals for the first several weeks so he has a space he owns. Likewise, if you are adding a new animal to a household which already has a cat, your old cat will not feel as threatened if the new animal is not laying claim to the entire house at first.

4. Make the introduction slowly. Bring the new animal out of her room once a day to interact with the other animal. Have someone restrain both animals to ensure there is no chasing or fighting. A positive experience makes the cat feel more secure about the next meeting.

5. Give your old animal an opportunity to sniff the new animal. Animals derive a lot from the scent of other animals and this will remove the unknown. When the new animal is sniffed, the old animal feels better about sharing his territory. A good time to allow the sniffing is when the new animal is sleeping.

6. Provide a hiding spot for the cat. After the new animal has moved out of her room, the cat needs a spot to hide from the other animal. This gives the cat assurance if trouble should arise with the other animal she has a place to go. High places and under beds and chairs work well.

7. Wait eight to twelve months after you introduce the animals before making any final judgments about whether they will get along. Progress will be slow, especially if the cat is an adult when introduced.