Integrating a new cat

I'm thinking of getting another cat to join my two 1-yr olds.  These two were born feral but raised by me from 4 weeks.  They are totally indoor but not very social with people and have had no contact with other cats.  Question:  do you think it would be easier to integrate a small kitten into the family, on the assumption they would view it as less of a threat, or would it be better to get another cat of similar age to them, on the assumption that it could defend itself better if need be?  Thanks!

Hi Lynne,

It is a really tough call on which one might be best.

With that said, the key is to follow the formal introduction process and go through each step methodically. To make sure they are slowly introduced so that they realize the other cat is not a threat. The resident cats typically have the most difficult adjustment rather than the newcomer as it is "their territory" being "invaded. Introductions typically fail because they are rushed. Introductions can take a month up to a year so a lot of time and effort is needed.

I would definitely work on building the confidence of the resident cats so as to better prepare them for any future addition.

We build confidence through play, food, height, and love. So step up play with them and after play feed either treats or a meal. This replicates their instinct of Hunt, Capture, Kill, Eat. Give them places to go high like cat trees, cat shelving, window perches. And finally love. Don't put yourself at risk of being hurt in anyway. Be calm and confident around them. Give them warm and comfy places to sleep and hang out. Give them eyes kisses if petting and getting them to purr is too risky. Eye kisses are when you close your eyes slowly and keep your eyes closed for 4 or 5 seconds then slowly open them. 

When they are walking around the house confidently with their tail straight up and secure then it should be easier to introduce a new cat. I truly believe a confident cat is less likely to chase/attack/fight and less likely to be chased/attacked or get into a fight.

If or when you do add another cat please feel free to post and we can help you through the introduction process. That to me is really the key as is building the existing cats confidence (and the confidence of the new addition).

I wish I had a more definitive answer but I hope this helps in your decision.

I really appreciate your detailed answer!  I'm doing a lot of research on how to do it when the new cat actually arrives.  This is most helpful--thank you!

You are very welcome. We are here for you anytime if you ever have any questions.

I would ask in another post about any potential challenges of adding another cat to cats that were raised by a human from age 4 weeks. I mention that because they may not have had the mother socialization and that may present a challenge. I am just not as experienced with that situation so I would post on the site and get some opinions from someone with experience with that. Just so we are fully aware of everything.

I'm in the process of readying my cat Dudley for a newcomer but first of all I'm super-readying him, as I have to pack up my flat by the end of April, put my stuff into storage, and find temporary digs in Edinburgh from where I can flat hunt.  Dudley will have to come with me on the stressful 400 mile car, catamaran ferry, shuttle bus, train, cross London underground tube, cross county high speed train, then taxi journey to an unknown stranger's flat as temporary lodgers.  Then deal with however long it takes to find our new home, leave him in a cattery for a week whilst I hotfoot it back down to the bottom of England, collect my household, hire a van, drive back up to Scotland, then unpack.  Then, I'm going to get a new cat and start my life afresh, YAY!  Hopefully we'll all be settling in together come summertime.

I'm doing all the things @CalicosRSpecial  has recommended to you.  I also brush him lots and hang out with him as much as possible, as well as play with all his interesting fab new games.  I also got him a treat toy weeblewobble, which he has taken to very easily, have raised his food bowls, have a feliway plug, give him valerian treats, have changed his diet to 80% meat, I even got him a new XL jumbo cat litter box that is fantastic (I can't stop admiring it fondly whenever I see it and have taken to raking the pure white cat litter as though it were a Japanese zen garden) - Dudley really likes his new super spacious box too, heehee!  I've also got loads of other cat-calming treatments to try on him, as he's going to have to be induced into a cat-calmed euphoria to endure the journey, let alone the stress of packing boxes etc, and meeting a new chum.

He has a tree already but I'm not sure how big a flat I'll be able to find to accommodate it so I'm going to get some of these cat shelves to put up in the new place.


His weeblewobble treat toy.


I'm going to get new scratching posts when I get my new friend, so they both get to scent mark them.  And I've been looking into soft pet crates (more like play pens), as I might get a kitten and it would be loads easier to introduce them if said kitty was safely inside his tent for a couple of weeks with Dudley able to make friends through the safety of netting.  Dudley is a 13 and 1/2 month old ragdoll, so I'm hoping his naturally easy going, friendly temperament, yet still kitten-like behaviour, wins over the love of the newbie.  And as they'll both be new to the flat, there shouldn't be so many ingrained territorial issues.  Apparently, there is a window of between ages of 18 months to 4 years old when new cat introductions don't go as well as cats of other ages.  So, I'm either to get a kitten or a cat over 4 years old for optimum acceptability. 


I'm doing lots of other Dudley confidence building stuff too.  Basically, I'm acutely focused on a long term treatment plan to move him and find him a friend with the least stress possible.

Blimey, it's exhausting already and I haven't even started to pack yet!



What sexes are your present kittens?  If you have two females, I strongly advise you to get a male cat/kitten.  In fact, I would just recommend a male anyway.

Great post Brian, very helpful!!

Good luck on your move!!