Introducing Your New Pets

The introduction process between a new pet and current pet is extremely important. Here, we offer advice to help make the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Introducing New Cats to Resident Cats

• All cats in the home must be spayed or neutered.
• Give the new cat a room of its own for the time-being and allow a few days for them to get comfortable before removing them from the room.
• After a few days, safely remove the new cat from the room. Allow the resident cat to explore the new cat's room with the door closed while allowing the new cat to explore the rest of the house.
• After a few days of the room rotation, let the cats see each other, but keep them from physical contact.
• You may feed the cats on opposite sides of the door while they are in view of each other.
• Play can be encouraged under the door with the use of a cat toy.
• After a couple days, if there are no warning signs such as hissing or hair-raising. The door can be left open for the cats to meet at their own pace.
  
• Do not leave the cats alone together until you are sure they get along.

Introducing New Cats to Resident Dogs or Introducing New Dogs to Resident Cats

• Give the new cat a room of its own for the time-being and allow a few days for them to get comfortable before removing them from the room.
• After a few days, safely remove the new cat from the room. Allow the resident dog to explore the new cat's room with the door closed while allowing the new cat to explore the rest of the house. Do not allow any visual contact.
• After a few days of the room rotation, let the cat and dog see each other, but keep them from physical contact.
• Do not place your dog in a crate and let the cat walk around the crate. This tends to increase anxiety for the dog.
• Do not leave the animals alone together until you are sure they get along.
• Start introductions from opposite ends of the room. Be sure that the cat has an escape route that is out of the dog's reach.​
• It is best to keep your dog on a leash in case the animals need to be separated quickly.
• If the cat becomes frightened, increase the distance between the animals and progress slower.