Cat Vs. Cat - How to Make Initial Introductions Go Smoothly

Though most felines are solitary hunters, they often prefer to live in the company of other felines. This is especially true of domestic house cats. A solitary house cat is often depressed and lethargic. They crave a playmate and cuddle buddy. However, there are many cats who have not learned appropriate feline social skills making it difficult to introduce them to other animals brought into the household.

Before you decide on bringing another cat home, make sure that your current cat, or group of cats, can handle the situation. The last things you want to deal with are feline aggression and the behavioral problems that ensue from a mentally stressed cat.

Here is a list of behaviors to look for in a cat who might not welcome a new feline into the household:

• Spitting/Growling at a feline he sees through the window.

• Skittish around strangers.

• Indoor behavioral problems such as marking or not using the litter box.

• Not social with you or desirous of affection from you.

Here is a list of behaviors to observe in a cat who might welcome another feline:

• Very social with you and visitors.

• Presently lives with another cat or has in the past.

• Inquisitive and active.

• Adamantly uses the litter box and never marks territory in any manner.

The above lists are generalization and by no means definite, as there are always exceptions to these rules. For example, some cats come out of their "shells" when living with another cat, such as the unsocial cat turning social when it sees another cat benefiting from doing so. However, a cat that already has behavioral marking problems is unlikely to easily accept another cat entering his territory, causing increased marking.

If you believe your cat would benefit from a companion, it will be important to insure their initial meeting and subsequent time together is as positive as possible.

It is often easier to introduce a kitten or juvenile cat into a household that has an adult cat. Even easier is to obtain a second youngster while the current one is still under a year of age. Also, introduction of an opposite gender of the current adult cat can make it easier on the both of them. It is toughest to introduce an adult cat into a household that already has other adult cats, so try to avoid this scenario if possible.

Here are the steps to take during introduction:

1. Place the cats in separate crates and within as neutral a location as possible.

2. Before allowing the cats out of their crates, place a smudge of vanilla on their foreheads so that they both have similar scents.

3. Open the crates and offer some yummy treats, such as cooked chicken or a bit of tuna fish to both at the same time. Hint: Make sure both cats haven't just eaten a meal prior to this introduction.

4. Be relaxed and speak to them in a calm manner. Stroke them both.

5. If one or both begin hissing, distract them with some yummy food or a toy. Under no circumstances should you intervene. Sometimes it will take a bit of posturing, hissing and batting for the cats to establish their positions. Intervention will prevent this from being settled and the cats will tend to have more negative interactions.

Once the cats are comfortable with each other, allow them access to other parts of your home. They will often go their separate ways, unless one is a kitten which will likely follow the adult cat, much to the adult cat's dismay.

Keep an eye on the cats and be certain to distract them with toys or food whenever they become pesky with each other.

There will be many disruptions at first, but these will diminish with time. Once each cat sees that they are still loved and receive wonderful foods when they are near each other, they will settle in and begin to seek out each other for comfort and companionship. Keep in mind, however, that this will take much longer for adult cats than for younger cats. Be patient, calm and positive. Your felines are sure to feel your emotions, which will help them as well.