I think we're going to get another cat....

[55Sainz]

Eek! Can't believe I'm even saying this as my 10 year old tabby is just such a perfect princess, but we've come across a gorgeous wee girl who is 2.5 years and looking for her forever home. We meet all the requirements of what she is looking for and going to visit her this weekend.

Can I ask for some advice on how I even look into this transition period into the home with our current cat?

Obviously nothing is 100 percent as we will need a home visit etc and it might not be right for us in terms of cat or our home etc, but assuming all is fine, where should I start?

When you go to visit her, take something that smells like your cat, and ask if you can bring something home with you that smells like the new one so they can start getting used to each other’s scents.

Slow introductions can sometimes help - keeping them on different sides of a door etc so they can get used to each other.

Some people recommend feeding them separately as well so they don’t see each other as competition.

I’d also recommend having somewhere in the house that only your original cat can go to (maybe your bedroom?) so they have a safe space away from the new cat if they need it.

Really good suggestions! Thank you.

Definitely want to keep our bedroom a safe place for current cat as she loves to sleep on my stool under the dressing table, so I'll be keeping that her place for sure!

Our resident cat was desperate to get into the room of the new kitten. We ended up letting them together after a few days, always supervised. There was a few bats and hisses but they slept on the same bed and started to play. I was worried about me sitting in there without resident cat as he follows me so this seemed to work. New kitten found somewhere to go if he wanted space so that worked too if you can manage with them being older.

I watched lots of Jackson galaxy on YouTube about introductions

Away to watch some JG!! I love him!

Our cats have always settled quite quickly with newbies. Generally one is cautious and the other not bothered which helps. Putting a sock on your hand to rub on the new one's cheeks is a good way to get their scent, assuming they're not too timid.for the existing cat, putting a scarf or blanket where they often sleep is an easy way to get their scent for the newbie..