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face to face. Next, try opening the door a little so the cats can get a peek at each other. If you happen to have a childproof gate, you can open the door and gate the room so that they can interact safely. Don't force them together though! Cats refuse to be forced to do anything, and that can only make them more wary of each other.

The next step is to allow your new kitty to explore your entire home. If you just let her out of the room, chances are she will be more concerned with her new roommate than with discovering where everything is. So put the other cat in her carrier and let the new guy poke around. Once she has had a chance to see everything, you have arrived at the moment of truth. Open the carrier and let the two cats meet face to face. There may be some hissing or swatting, and one of them might make a mad dash under the bed. The unfortunate truth is that there is a distinct hierarchy in feline society. Unless your cats are both kittens, chances are good that there will be some posturing and mean behavior while they figure out who the boss is. You may feel bad for the cat that comes out on the bottom, but there is little you can do to change it. At this point you have to let them figure it out for themselves. Just make sure no one is getting physically injured. If that is the case, put the new cat back in it's room and try again later. If after several attempts at introducing your cats, they are still fighting to the extent that one is getting injured, you should consider consulting a veterinarian, and as a last resort, finding another home for your new cat.

Your cats may end up being the best of friends, or they may just barely tolerate each other. Here are some final tips to keep the peace between your cats:

Make sure there are always enough food, litter, and toys available for everyone. Why give your cats something to compete over?
Split your time and attention between the cats as evenly as possible. There is much debate over whether animals truly experience emotions, but any pet owner will swear that animals are capable of being jealous, and it's not pretty.
If you keep only one litter box, and one of the cats seems to prefer using the carpet behind the couch, consider setting up a second box. It's possible one of the cats has "claimed" the box as her own and won't let the other cat use it. Cats can also be shy when it comes to this area, and they may simply be uncomfortable sharing it.
Try to involve your new cat in some of the games or activities you have always done with your first cat. Playing with and grooming both cats together can help them to feel that they don't have to compete for your attention, and you are all one big happy family.
If the cats simply won't get along, they may split your home into two separate territories. Don't try to force them to share; it will only make things worse. Again, just make sure both cats have access to everything that they need.
As if there weren't already enough good reasons, have your cats spayed or neutered. Cats that are fixed are less territorial and aggressive.

Learn more about this author, Kimberly Schiller.
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