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How to introduce an aggressive new cat to a shy older cat?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | neutered | 12 lbs

So we have a scardy cat who is about 13 and we decided to get a new cat who is 4, the old cat just hides in my room and the new cat is kept in the basement but when we try to introduce them the new cat just attacks the old cat right away, what techniques do u recommend we try? also feeding them close wont work because the old cat wont come downstairs for food sometimes because he's afraid to go near the basement.

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Amber W

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on August 17th, 2017

Hi there and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Congratulations on your new kitty! In these situations it is best to do introductions very slowly. Some suggestions I have for you are as follows: 1) Use a Feliway diffuser to reduce overall tension in household 2) Go back to the beginning and over the first week introduce by smell only (introducing cats to each others bedding or something that has their scent on it) 3) Then introduce by sight only but no direct interaction. Do this for a week 4) Finally introduce cats together but only with direct supervision and with plenty of escape routes for both cats. Only leave them together for a very short time at first 5) Have plenty of tall cat towers and other things for the cats so they can observe each other from a distance 6) Have at least 3 litter boxes in different locations and definitely continue to feed separately and have separate water bowls. I hope this is helpful! Good luck to you and Malish!

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    Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hi there and thanks for your question! Here a few tips to help. It's important throughout all of this to remember that getting your two cats to happily interact with one another is going to take time and every cat is different and has a different personality just like people do. You can't force two cats to like each other right away and be open to fact that they may never care for one other very much. However below are some tips: 1) You may try feeding your older cat and newer cat on each side of a door so they can associate each other and each other's smells with an happy occasion (meal time). Start the bowls on either side of door at a distance, then gradually move them closer until they both can eat in peace directly on either side of the door. 2) Take your older cat's blankets or beds and place them in where the younger one stays or sleeps and vice versa. This is to familiarize themselves with each other's scent. 3) You can also swap areas in which they reside for a few hours- have the older cat stay in the new cat area and vice versa. This is also to familiarize themselves with each other's scent. 4) Gradually let them interact by allowing them access to each other when you are home to supervise. Remember to never force interaction and this will take TIME. Be open to fact that differences are OK and some cats may never come to enjoy the presence of their house mate, but merely 'tolerate' them. :) I hope this helps!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 10th, 2018

    Great question! I would slowly introduce them to each other. Take Presley, and put her in her own room with her own food, water, and litter box. Keep the door closed, and for a few days, feed them both treats on other side of door so they associate each other's smell with a good experience. Then let Ellie in Presley's room while she is in a cat carrier. They can smell each other, but not be in contact. If either becomes upset or show signs of aggression, remove Ellie from the room, and try again later. Praise them when they interact appropriately. When they are interacting well with each other through the carrier, you can let Presley out of her room, and see how she interacts with Ellie. Praise them when they interact appropriately, and separate them with any sign of aggression or upset. I would get a cat tree with lots of shelves to give the cats vertical space to get away from each other. I would keep Presley in her room when you go out until they are comfortable with each other. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 14th, 2017

    Yes, I can give you a method for introducing the new cats into the home. I would separate the cats, and slowly reintroduce them to each other. Take the new cats , and put them in their own room with their own food, water, and litter box. Keep the door closed, and for a few days, feed them all treats on other side of door so they associate each other's smell with a good experience. Then let your cat in the other cats' room while they are in cat carriers. They can smell each other, but not be in contact. If anyone becomes upset or show signs of aggression, remove your cat from the room, and try again later. Praise them when they interact appropriately. When they are interacting well with each other through the carrier, you can let the other cats out of their room, and see how they interacts with your cat. Praise them when they interact appropriately, and separate them with any sign of aggression or upset. I would get a cat tree with lots of shelves to give the cats vertical space to get away from each other. I would keep the other cats in their room when you go out until they are all comfortable with each other.

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    Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 20th, 2017

    Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The first thing to note is that you want to not bring the kitten into your home until about 8 weeks of age, it is important for the kitten to stay with it's mom (as long as she is able to nurse well and is doing well) until that age. Getting a "Feliway" collar (one of the calming collars) and other products with this brand can help. Also, feeding them separately is a good idea as well, until they are used to one another. Having a separate area where Junior can 'escape' from the kitten, or a 'safe zone' for Junior is recommended. Three litter boxes in different areas are recommended as well, so there are no territory disputes over the litter boxes. Otherwise, you will have to see how they do with one another, and will have to adapt based on what you are seeing occurring. Best of luck with Junior and your new kitten!

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