Roommate drama! How to introduce your cat to a new family pet

If your cat is an “only child” it can be…challenging…for them to adjust to life with a new sibling (or roommate, as they’d likely prefer the intruder to be classified).

Cats are creatures of habit and change is stressful — both psychologically and physiologically.

There are, however, some simple steps you can take to make the transition to a multi-pet household easier on both you and your feline bestie. Done right, your cat may actually enjoy the newcomer’s company. Eventually.

Adding a second cat to the family

Welcoming a new cat into a home that already has a cat living in it can require some serious negotiating. Cats are territorial and it’s normal for them to take days, weeks or even months to completely warm up to the new kid on the block.

For cats with fear or aggression issues, it may never happen. On the other side of the coin, two cats with complimentary personalities can become inseparable.

At the beginning stages of integration it’s wise to set up a separate area for your new cat, preferably away from your current cat’s favourite hang out spots. Give your new cat his own space to eat, sleep, and litter box. Yes, two cats typically means two litter boxes. It also means multiple scratching posts or surfaces. Because scratching is a territorial activity, cats aren’t likely to share their prized facilities.

Integration should happen slowly and gently.

One strategy is to swap the separated cats’ bedding every few nights, allowing them to get used to the other’s smell. Another is to reward their curiosity about the other cat (for example, you may see them investigating the door that separates them) by handing out treats. Once any signs of stress have disappeared, the cats can meet whisker-to-whisker.

Introducing a dog to your cat’s domain

Similarly, a new dog should be separated from your cat when first introduced to your home. The swapped bedding strategy also applies since animals learn so much about each other from scent.

When the time for introduction comes, keep your dog on a slack leash, allowing them a bit of freedom to sniff and investigate. Keep these initial visits short so that neither animal experiences stress or over-stimulation, but repeat every few hours for several days until both animals acclimate.

Maintaining a space that your cat can escape to for relaxation and me(ow) time is a good idea, especially if your new dog is young and energetic.

Things to watch out for in a multi-pet home

Fleas and ticks can hitch a ride into your home — and onto your new cat — via any surface, but they’re most likely to come in on a dog. If these parasites weren’t a concern for your indoor cat before you introduced them to their canine brother or sister, they need to be now. This means that both animals will require treatment for flea and tick prevention.

Cat’s can also experience and manifest stress when a new animal appears on the scene. “A lot of respiratory, urinary, and behavioural issues that cats will deal with are actually triggered by stress,” says veterinarian, Dr. Garrett Schuilenberg.

“When you introduce a cat to another cat, there's probably going to be some degree of stress going on there. That can weaken their immune system and it can allow different viruses and pathogens to flare up in their body — something that was already pre-existing. These respiratory infections can get pretty bad, just from the stress.”

• What to do if you think your cat is stressed, and when to seek help

  • When to see a vet: If you aren’t sure if your cat needs medical attention due to stress, you should speak to your vet right away because the symptoms may be a sign of something more serious.

  • When you need litter box help: If your cat is having trouble, or seemingly just protesting using the litter box, try a litter attractant. A litter attractant works by emitting a scent that naturally attracts cats and kittens to use their litter box.

  • Scratch protectors: Try a scratching post to keep your cat busy, but if that isn’t working you can also try sticky furniture strips or corner protectors that stick like tape to your furniture to deter scratching.

  • Scratching posts: If you’re not sure what kind of scratching post to buy, the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine recommends observing your cat to see if she prefers carpet, wood, or another surface, and if she prefers horizontal or vertical scratching. Once you know, you can buy a scratching post that is made up of her preferred materials.

  Careful cat-to-cat or cat-to-dog introductions, like the ones we’ve described above are the best way to minimize that stress.

  Patience and vigilance (plus a steady supply of treats) are the keys to a harmonious multi-pet household.