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How can I stop my cats from fighting after bringing home a new cat?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 5 months old

Hi, I have a cat that has been here for about a year and a half , sharing the house with a pit bull, there totally cool by the way and my sister is moving so she gave me her cat and they keep hissing at each other and keeping a distance but when they get close the new comer makes a move and they start fighting... Do you think there is anything I can do, or should I just give it time for them to cooperate with each other?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 8th, 2017

Great question! Yes there is a way to help them get along. I would slowly introduce them to each other. Take the new cat, 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 Buu in the new cat's room while the new cat 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 Buu 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 new cat out of her room, and see how she interacts with the other 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 new cat in her room when you go out until they are comfortable with each other.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 17th, 2017

    Poor Aggie! I would slowly introduce them to each other. Take Aggie, and put him in his own room with his 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 the other cat in Aggie's room while he 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 the second 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 Aggie out of his room, and see how he interacts with the other 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 Aggie in his room when you go out until they are comfortable with each other. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 22nd, 2020

    I would slowly introduce them to each other. Take the new, 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 David in the new cat's room while the new cat 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 the second 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 new cat out of her room, and see how she interacts with David. 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 new cat in her room when you go out until they are comfortable with each other. I hope this helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

    Published on May 25th, 2018

    Yes, it certainly sounds like Frost may be experiencing some anxiety as a result of having a new cat added to his household. You are doing the right thing by trying to introduce the new cat to your household gradually and allowing both cats time to acclimate to the change. This this point, let's try starting over once again. Begin by keeping the cats in separate rooms with a door between them as you have been, so that they can smell one another through the crack under the door. After a few days of allowing this type of interaction, switch the cats for half an hour so that they are in the other cat’s environment and allowed to explore and smell. Several days later, allow them to see one another through a screen door or wire crate. If these interactions seem positive, eventually allow them to interact in a supervised area, but be sure that both cats have the option of leaving if they become too stressed. Since it sounds like you have gotten to the last step multiple times without success, we need to find ways to decrease stress for both cats. One option for decreasing stress is to add a Feliway Diffuser ( https://www.feliway.com ) to your house. This is a calming pheromone that will work for a month and may be beneficial for both cats. I have also had luck with Rescue Remedy ( http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pet/ ) which can be added to the water. You could also consider calming music specifically for cats ( http://throughadogsear.com/tace/through-a-cats-ear-1-music-for-calming/ ). If Frost continues to have problems despite a slow, gradual introduction, it may be time to take him to your veterinarian for a physical exam and discussion about possible short term anti-anxiety medication. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and gives you some ideas. Thanks for using PetCoach.

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