How to safely introduce two groups of adult cats in a new home?

Question

Hi! I need help on being able to introduce my daughters cats and my cats! We’re about to move into a new house and they’ve never interacted before. All of our babies are rescues, most of mine are Himalayan while hers are a Tabby and a Calico. They’re adult cats as well as mine. We want them to be able to run around together in the new house, but they’ve never been properly introduced despite living together for some odd years. We don’t want to take turns on them running around, please help! Pet's info: Cat | Himalayan | Female | spayed | 5 years and 6 months old | 10 lbs

Debi Matlack · Accepted Answer

Start by taking their bedding and swapping it, unwashed. That will allow them to become used to each other's scent. When you introduce them to one another, start with a child gate in the doorway separating them. Let them sniff each other, put their food and water dishes near the doorway so they can see each other eat. After a few days of this if all goes well, take the child gates down and let them interact under your supervision. Make sure they all have plenty of perches, cat trees, scratching posts, litterboxes the rule of thumb is one per cat plus one, but that can be overwhelming if you don't have the space. At least two, cleaned daily if not more often, in different parts of the house in a quiet, out-of-the-way location is best. Provide plenty of toys and interaction so they can learn that the house is for all of them and you too. If at any point there is a flare of aggression, go back to the last step that worked and start from there again.

How to safely introduce two groups of adult cats in a new home?

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