I'd like you to Meet... - Introducing Cats

If you haven't rushed the process, because you either felt sorry for the isolated newcomer, or you didn't have time to follow through all the steps, all you should see is a few initial hisses but no bloodshed. Watch them closely for the first hour, and don't be surprised when they decide to curl up together and go to sleep on your bed.

While the newcomer is isolated, try and go in as much as possible and just sit on the floor and be with the new cat. I always read out loud to my newcomers. This gets them used to my voice. I read very softly for about 10 minutes a day. I also give them an old tee shirt that I exercised vigorously in to permeate it with my own scent, so my scent becomes familiar to them as well.

If the newcomer hides from you in the beginning, don't worry, the cat just needs to get used to the new world opening before her and she will adjust. Just have patience with her, or if she seems really scared, you can play classical music on low to soothe her, take a ticking alarm clock and wrap it with a towel and put it near where she sleeps, this simulates her memory of her mother's heartbeat.

I have used this procedure repeatedly over the years with great success. It is not a fast process, but it is effective and it will stop most problems before they start. As long as you can divide your time between both of these cats prior to meeting each other, so neither one feels neglected, this procedure will serve you well. It has never failed me yet. Let me just hit on the important points to wrap this up:

• Vet visit before letting the two cats even sniff noses.
• Isolation for the newcomer supplying two litter boxes, food bowls, water dish toys.
• Visit the newcomer often sit on the floor and read out loud softly.
• If kitty hides, just accept it, she will come out to you eventually don't chase her.
• To soothe the newcomer use the alarm clock trick, play classical music.
• Use the blanket trick, it really works and makes that initial first meeting less stressful for everyone.
• Add an old tee shirt that you got really sweaty to the newcomers room.
• First meeting have help and a blanket or heavy towel at the ready to toss over any aggressive kitty.
• Don't neglect either cat during the isolation period. Interactive playtime between both of them and yourself is very important.

Good luck and thank you for bringing yet another cat or kitten home to love.

Mary Anne Miller is a free-lance writer, and member of the Cat Writers' Association. She is a web copy writer, and passionate about feral cats/kittens and bottle babies. You can read more by Mary Anne at her Feral Cat Behavior Blog.