by Mo Bruce

Created on: August 09, 2009   Last Updated: August 10, 2009

I have been asked about this subject several times by friends and neighbours. The advice I give is always the same; just introduce the new cat into the home slowly. Let him have access to one room only at first, that and plenty of affection and reassurance. Meanwhile, reassure your other cat that everything is fine, and let him get used to the scent of the new cat.

Bring the new cat into the room, but inside a travel box or cage, so that they can now see each other. This is the point that you should feed them, preferably with a special treat, as you want them to associate each other with good things. If they react without too many tears and tantrums, you can consider letting your new cat out of the box, but keep the cage or box nearby as a bolthole for the cat to escape to.

As long as your cats can escape from each other, there shouldn't be too many problems. Cats know when they are onto a good thing, and when they realise that part of this new good life is tolerating each other, they normally do.

Well, that's my usual advice, and it has worked so far, it's a shame I didn't follow it myself. When my lovely two-year-old black cat started staying away from home for longer and longer periods, we figured he was building up to leaving us. On this premise, my husband decided that we couldn't live without a cat in the house.

We contacted our local cat rescue lady, and within the week, we had a six-week-old ginger kitten desperate for a new home. Toby settled in immediately, and made the house his own. At this point, our black cat (Jasper), who had been living away from home for two to three weeks at a time, finally turned up after his latest and longest jaunt (five weeks).

Jasper walked in like the prodigal son, to be confronted by a now nine week old Toby, who's favourite game was 'hysterically attack anything that moves, and draw blood whenever possible'. Jasper looked at Toby as the intruder, Toby looked at Jasper with same thought.

It's been five years now, and Toby plays a gentler game, but still likes to fight. He is very affectionate with all of us, and even tries to wash Jasper. Jasper has not changed his attitude very much, and the result is fur-flying fights between the two of them. Our dog has to intervene to stop these fights, but I've given up and leave them to it.

They do sleep on the bed together though, well, Toby sleeps on one corner of the king size bed, and Jasper sleeps on the other. They both know that they have a good life with us, so they more or less put up with each other.

I would say that the best advice is to try to get your cats used to each other, it may be difficult, and you may need lots of patience, but it is worth it in the long run. If you don't believe me, just ask Jasper.

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