From One to Two – How Introducing Cats to Each Other Works

There is one small caveat: yes, even on our team there's a cat who clearly wants nothing to do with other cats. But such “true” loners are rare, and they usually only develop this aversion when living with other cats hasn't gone well. So, welcome to the multi-cat household! With our tips for introducing cats, (almost) nothing can go wrong.

Getting a second cat? – A clear yes!

From the point of view of (almost) all cats, the answer is a clear yes to a second cat! Especially if you want to bring a new cat into your home and don't have one yet – it's better to get two at once. Cats are, as experience shows, alone far more often than other pets. And yes – they do get lonely! A playmate, even if they're not best friends, is always better than sitting home alone for 12 to 16 hours straight. Boredom is bad for cats and can lead to all sorts of unwanted behavioural issues.

What to keep in mind, in general, when introducing cats to each other

If you choose kittens, meaning young cats, the introduction is usually a breeze. It's especially ideal to adopt two kittens from the same litter together. These kittens already know each other, and their play instinct can be lived out perfectly with a sibling. Introducing adult cats to each other can take weeks, sometimes even a few months, before everything really settles down. It's important not to lose patience and, if needed, to get help from vets or behaviourists. If you can, it's worth taking a few days off for this – because what you need here above all is time and patience.

Two unneutered male cats will not work as a team, even if they've known each other since they were little. At LucyBalu we're strongly in favour of neutering all male cats anyway. But if that hasn't happened, we strongly advise against introducing two intact males to each other. It will lead to territorial fights and even bloody incidents. Things look much better if you introduce neutered cats or toms to each other. Important: if one is neutered, both animals need to be! A neutered female and an unneutered male together won't work. The male will dominate the female far too much and make her life pretty difficult.

Of course, the character of the animals you want to bring together is absolutely decisive. A calm, very cuddly cat won't have much in common with a little troublemaker who only wants to swing from the chandelier. At the same time, this creates an imbalance for both animals. So when choosing your second furry friend, pay close attention to the character of the cat already living with you.

Another absolutely decisive factor is the cats' age. When getting a second cat, please make sure the ages of the two housecats are roughly matched. A sprightly senior can get along very well with a cat two to three years younger. But an elderly tom will have real trouble with a kitten. And the kitten won't get the playmate it actually needs.

Once you've clarified these basic questions, it's time to get serious.

Preparing for a Second Cat to Move In

Get yourselves ready! This includes having the space for a second cat to move in. Especially at the start, it's important to keep the two animals separated. The best way to do this is in a dedicated room; if there's no other option, the bathroom will do too. But if, for example, the litter box is already there, you'll need to move it elsewhere a few days in advance. Because: any change you make right before the cat moves in will be linked by your first cat to the new housemate – and probably not received positively. So it's really important to plan with a few days' lead time.

It's ideal if you can swap blankets or sleeping spots between the two cats beforehand. Cats take in an enormous amount through their sense of smell, so this lets them get a first sniff of the new companion in advance. By the time the “newcomer” actually arrives, the two already recognise each other's scent. Another simple option is to rub each of the two cats with a towel and then swap the towels. The cats will groom themselves after being rubbed down – actively taking in and registering the other cat's scent that way.

Some time before moving day, remember to double up on your cat equipment. Two cats need at least two litter boxes, several food bowls, and plenty of places to lie down, hide, and scratch. Since a lot of territory-marking also happens on scratching posts, you could get a new one for your first cat too – that way not everything in the flat is already completely “claimed.” You should also have a way to keep the cats separated at night, especially during the first few weeks. If there's more than one person in the household, you can also take turns at night, so that every cat really gets its share of attention.

It's certainly also worth talking to your vet. Do they recommend any additional measures on top of what you're already doing? Options include pheromone diffusers, Bach flower remedies or homeopathic remedies, which you can use as extra support. Here too, it's a good idea to start giving these things a little in advance.

The New Cat Moves In

The big day has arrived! When we humans stay calm, it's much easier for our animals to stay calm too. If possible, briefly distract the cat that already lives with you while the new housemate is calmly brought into its room. That room should of course have food, water, a litter box, and several cosy sleeping spots ready. Let the cat settle in there quietly at first. We'd recommend sitting with them and building trust with a calm voice and some treats. Some cats can hardly wait to come out of their carrier and explore everything – others sit still for hours at first. Either way, give the new cat the time it needs. As soon as you feel it has settled in a bit, you can step out and take care of Number One.

Very important: don't forget the first cat!

This is where we often make a mistake: the new cat gets all the attention while the old one just sits and watches. This often leads to justified jealousy, especially in our sensitive furry friends! So make sure you spend plenty of time playing with your cat, cuddling, and telling them how important they are.

Getting serious – The cats' first face-to-face meeting

Give the whole thing time. During the cats' first direct contact, there should definitely be a barrier or a door left only slightly ajar between them. Here they can sniff each other, size each other up and – yes – also grumble at each other properly. We shouldn't forget that we're bringing a second individual into an established territory. If we're lucky, the fussing dies down quickly. At some point you have to take the plunge and leave the two tigers together. The good news first: there's almost always some friction. In other words, there will be grumbling, hissing, spitting and maybe even a brief scuffle. This phase is really important because it establishes the future pecking order. If we interfere too much here, we disrupt this process and it just repeats itself – it's better to calmly observe everything. Of course you do need to step in if one cat is being beaten up, or can't get out of a corner or situation.

Stay patient!

This sequence can happen a few times before anything visibly changes. As long as the two cats aren't hurting each other, this is unfortunately sometimes part of a successful introduction. We understand that this is nerve-wracking. But in the end, the goal is a happy team of two cats – so stick with it. The phases of grumbling and hissing should soon become less frequent. Maybe one cat will lie down and look interestedly out of the window, maybe one will go and eat something first. Either way – slowly but surely you'll see the animals gradually relax in each other's presence. Once you've reached this point, you can confidently pat yourself on the back. Well done! From there, you can gradually leave the housecats together in one room and step out briefly, feed them both at the same time (with some distance between them), or simply chill on the couch with both of them.

If you follow these rules and tips, and above all bring patience and calm, nothing stands in the way of a happy multi-cat household!