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How to introduce your shy new cat to a resident cat not good with others?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female

We got a new 1yr old female cat from the pound yesterday and we have a 6yr old female cat already living with us (have had her since she was 2.5 months old) our resident 6yr old is not great with other cats but we are hoping to change that, the new cat is majorly shy and is in our bathroom and isn’t moving from small cat tower we put in there & seems scared and isn’t eating much.. they haven’t met yet as we’ve been told to leave that for 3 days. My question is did we make the wrong choice???

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 11th, 2018

No, I don't think you've made the the wrong choice. It takes time for a new cat to adjust to the new home, and since she is shy, I would recommend keeping them separated for longer than three days. I will give you a method for introducing them. 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 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 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. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

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