Tips for moving with your cat and introducing a new kitten or cat into a home.
You can successfully introduce a new cat into your household without alienating the cat that already lives there. Once a cat is living in a house, it thinks of the home as its territory and will usually resent another cat that tries to take up residence. There are some procedures and methods you can try to bring a new cat into the house without causing your current occupant undue stress and resentment.
Even though it may sound silly, it is very important to refer to the new cat or kitten as your current cat's pet. By using your cat's name in the same sentence as the new cat's, your cat will start to associate the newcomer as a part of the family, rather than an intruder or replacement. Cats can get very jealous, so be sure to smother your current cat with affection while the new cat or kitten wanders around the house. Don't pay too much attention to the new cat, but look in its direction while petting or brushing your current cat. If the newcomer comes around, pet it, but don't overdo it.
If you have a cat that dislikes all other cats or is overly protective or possessive, it is best to keep the new cat in a room with the door closed and allow the cats to detect each other by scent. Once the cats are used to one another, you can follow the above directions. Just like people, cats have their own distinct personalities. Some cats adapt very quickly to other pets, while others will hiss and complain. Just remember to take it slowly if you need to, because rushing the introduction will only create problems down the line.
When cats accept one another, but are still a little wary, you can feed them relatively close to one another, making sure to separate them enough to avoid a confrontation. When they eat close together, it will create an atmosphere of belonging. Always make sure you don't have one cat that is likely to fight during feeding, if you do, simply place their bowls at opposite ends of the kitchen, or one on top of the counter and one on the floor. When you pet or brush one cat, make sure to call the other's name, or if it's close enough, pet it at the same time. It's important to show equal affection to your pets to avoid any jealousy.
Multi-cat households can be peaceful and enjoyable so long as you are careful about introducing any new comers. Cats are more solitary animals than dogs and do tend to be more difficult about a new addition, but it is possible to create an harmonious household with more than one cat.
