Last Updated: 20/06/2025
How to Introduce a New Cat to Your Cats
Wanting to know how to introduce a new cat to your existing cat? Check out this step by step guide to a smooth introduction from our vet team.
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 12 minutes - short read
Bringing a new cat into the home can really stress out any existing cats that you already have in residence, potentially resulting in undesirable behaviours like urine spraying, aggression and fighting. If you already have a cat at home and are planning to introduce a new cat or kitten, there are some steps you can take to avoid an all-out feline world war three scenario.
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Step 1: Set Up a Safe Zone for the New Cat
When you first bring home your new addition, set up a room in your house that your existing cat rarely visits with all the essentials that your new cat or kitten will need. To begin with, keep your new cat confined to this room so they are completely separate from your existing cat.
What to put in your new cat's safe zone:
- A litter tray
- A bowl of food and fresh water
- Plenty of toys
- A comfortable place to sleep such as a new bed or cardboard box with blankets.
Feliway!
Introducing two cats to each other can be incredibly stressful (both on your cats, and yourself!), and the whole situation will be a lot easier with the help of a nice dose of calming pheromones. Make sure you order a Feliway Friends Diffuser prior to bringing your new cat home. Please note: the Feliway wall diffuser is recommended over the Feliway spray bottle, as it provides a constant airborne stream rather than a spot-on surface dose.
How does Feliway work? Feliway is a synthetic pheromone based on the appeasing Feline Facial Pheromone which is incredibly effective at soothing cats. Veterinary clinics and rescue shelters all over the world use Feliway to help calm nervous feline patients (and if vets are using it themselves, you can be sure it works!).
Use the diffuser In the area where the introduction is taking place to help reduce stress levels and facilitate friendly interactions.
For more information about Feliway, check out our article Your Guide to Using Feliway.
Step 2: Keep them separate but allow them to smell each other's scent
Over the first few days, the purpose is to allow each cat used to the smell of the other. You can do this by switching their toys and bedding, stroking one cat after the other or gently rubbing each cat's face with a piece of a soft cloth and leaving it with the other to smell.
Step 3: Allow them to meet - with plenty of escape routes!
Once the cats have been accustomed to each other's scent, it's time for the all important first meeting. Try to do this in a neutral place where the cats can see each other from a distance, for example a long hallway, and ensure that each cat has their own escape route so that they don't feel trapped.
If either cat shows signs of being anxious or distressed they should be removed and the introduction re-attempted at a later time, at an even greater distance if possible. Repeat the introduction process a number of times, for longer periods until both cats appear comfortable and no longer require separation.
Step 4: Give them freedom to interact, with individual resources
Once the cats are comfortable in each other's presence with free access to the house, be sure to continue providing them each with their own litter tray, food and water in separate areas to avoid any potential conflict over resources. Placing a variety of elevated sleeping areas and hiding places around the house, like the Kazoo Lookout Window Bed to help to reduce stress levels.
It's important to remember that even with the best of introductions, not all cats will become fast friends, however taking the time to start them off on the right foot can definitely help to reduce conflict and avoid undue stress.
Must Have Products for a New Cat
Further Reading
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Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed Apr 6 2022
Edited by Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Head Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons)
Pet Circle's Head Veterinarian, Dr Teagan graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010 and went on to work in small animal and mixed practice in various locations around QLD & ACT before joining Pet Circle in early 2016. Dr Teagan has special interests in dermatology, nutrition and preventative health care. She feels privileged to witness the special bond people share with their pets on a daily basis and enjoys forming lasting relationships with pet parents and their fur children.
