When introducing a newcomer it is firstly important that the new cat is kept apart from the resident one until any potential health problems are resolved. He must be medically checked by a vet particularly for signs of FeLV.

According to one article in the magazine "Cat World" cats, it seems, inherit their ability to be sociable with other cats from their fathers. The article rightly points out that this is "interesting when you consider that very few cats ever meet their fathers"! Sociable dads produce friendly kittens and highly territorial ones produce their own like. That said, many cats learn to be tolerant of one another and happily share a home base. The secret to success lies in careful introductions:-

The new cat should be introduced via an indoor pen. This will protect him from the territorial or over enthusiastic greetings of resident pets and also prevent him from simply running and hiding behind furniture.

Bringing a Kitten Home

Introducing new Cats to the household

Protect your cat from common diseases

Using Bach flower remedies

Using Catnip

Once he seems more settled, the pen should be moved to an adjoining room and the process repeated. Meanwhile, the resident cat should be allowed to take a long, slow look on a frequent basis, first in one room and then in other rooms. This is so he learns to expect to encounter the new cat in all areas of his territory.

Each cat should be fed at the same time in frequent short meals and in each other's company, one in the pen, one out, so that they associate each other's presence with something pleasurable.

There is also available, a product called Feliway pheremone spray (synthetic face gland marks) that can be used on the pen and in the room where the introductions are carried out. The spray mimics the facial scent marks that friendly cats use to rub each other with and can help speed up the cats' mutual acceptance and enjoyment of each other.

When the two of them start to greet each other through the pen in a relaxed way, touching noses and even purring and rubbing along the bars, then will be the time to allow them to be together without the pen between them.