Cats are animals for whom first impressions make a difference. And those first impressions will make all the difference to their future relationships. The first impression formed when a new comer meets a resident cat is critical. If two cats display aggression during their first meeting, this may set the mood for their future life together.

Before introducing cats, make sure they are healthy. Many cats from shelters or other homes come to their new home with upper respiratory infections and should be separated in another room behind closed doors for a few days as a health precaution to not get other cats in the household sick as well. Be sure to have a vet examine the cats for FELV [feline leukemia virus] and FIV [feline immunodeficiency virus] before any introductions are attempted. During the separation period, established cats and any new roommates will often smell each other underneath the door and start the slow acclimation process. 

What happens when you want your extra room back? The roommates to be can be introduced as long as neither is showing any signs of stress or exhibiting any aggressive behaviors such as hissing, growling or swatting. Signs of stress may include poor appetite, inappropriate urination or defecation or excessive hiding.

As long as neither cat is exhibiting any of these behaviors, they can be introduced through a slightly cracked door. If that goes well, they may be ready to meet without a barrier between them. If one cat becomes aggressive, do not try to calm or soothe them. Like any stressed creature, human or four legged, give them some space and keep them separated from each other. Remember that cats do not feel the need to be social creatures. Unlike a pack-orientated dog, they will function happily on their own without a social structure. They most likely do not feel the need for a companion even though you might wish to have another cat around. You simply cannot force cats to like each other - some will live with a newcomer easily; others will never get on.  They may end up just managing to live side by side in an uneasy truce. However, if there is no competition for food or safe sleeping places, the cats will accept each other eventually and maybe even seem to form close bonds with one another. Offer each feline buddy to be his or her own bowl at meal time filled with VIANDPET Cat Food. Viand Cat Food is a meat-rich, dry cat food made with no artificial flavors, colors or fillers. This food for your feline friend is an all-natural food scientifically and logically formulated to be used alone or with raw meat. Viand has a bio-available, micro-nutrient profile that will remind you why you originally invited these intriguing creatures to live with you in the first place! Viand cat food can be fed to any breed of cat at any stage of life. VIANDPET believes in high quality foods made with an all-natural approach in mind.

While it may be a matter of feline choice as to whether cats get on, how you introduce a new cat or kitten into your home and to a resident cat or cats can make the difference between success or failure. Once a relationship becomes violent or very fearful and the cat feels threatened it can be very difficult to change the behavior patterns. It may only take a few days or it may take several weeks for cats to begin to tolerate each other. It might even be several months before the cats are relaxed with each other, but you are on your way to success if you can reach a place where a calm truce between them prevails.