Will an extremely clingy resident cat accept a second cat?
Resident cats who are extremely clingy and hiss during initial introductions make owners worried about bringing home a second pet. This sudden change can cause tension and make it difficult to know if the resident cat will ever accept a new companion.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Keeping the new cat in a separate room2 people mentionedDid this help you?
- 2putting Rocco in his carrier so they could see each other without riskDid this help you?
- 3doing a slow introductionDid this help you?
- 4Spending time with both cats individuallyDid this help you?
- 5Swapping scents between catsDid this help you?
- 6Hoping for a smooth adjustment period on their ownDid this help you?
- 7fostering to adoptDid this help you?
- 8asking shelter staff to match personality typesDid this help you?
- 9using a shelter sleepover option to test compatibilityDid this help you?
- 10selecting specific breeds considered more chillDid this help you?
- 11Switching rooms to let each cat smell and roam the other's spaceDid this help you?
- 12Placing food bowls on opposite sides of a closed door during feeding timeDid this help you?
- 13Scent swapping using items belonging to each catDid this help you?
- 14Keeping the cats separated during the nightDid this help you?
- 15Constantly monitoring their interactions during the dayDid this help you?
- 16Putting their food next to each otherDid this help you?
- 17Mixing their litter box sandDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Unfortunately my 3 year old neutered male isn't too keen on her right now. I'm sure he will come around. Any advice for making him accept her?”source ↗
“What is the best way to introduce both cats?”source ↗
“I have never introduced ANY cats before, and given Breezies history and Margalo's lack of history, im not sure how to introduce them or if there will be an impossibility.”source ↗
“What is my best options to introduce them slowly? What can I do to make sure both cats are comfortable with eachother before I even attempt?”source ↗
“I don’t know how to make A accept S, S is very sweet and just wants to meet her.”source ↗
“We have to keep them separated during the night because we are afraid A will attack S if she gets too close and it’s very stressful during the day to constantly monitor their interactions.”source ↗
“Day 1: my void hissed at empty spaces, or when i tried to pet him when he heard the new kitty meows 😅”source ↗
“Any other advice would be much appreciated!”source ↗
“I've been wanting to get a second cat in a few months, but my current cat hissed at my friend's cat when we tried to have a little cat playdate, so now I'm not so sure haha.”source ↗
“Thing is, he's EXTREMELY clingy, and basically wants to be in contact with me at all times when I'm home.”source ↗
“On top of that, I've been living alone with just him for the last year, so a new cat would be a very big change for him.”source ↗
“My husband and I try, he has lots of toys and stimulation, but it feels like he could benefit from when we are out all day at work to have a buddy to play and socialize with so we are considering a second cat.”source ↗
“We are both a little nervous about finding a good fit for a second cat. I am wondering if anyone has any tips or suggestions on how to find a cat that could be a good fit for him?”source ↗
“I had a little boy just like that and thought getting another cat would help, he is worse now.”source ↗
“Hahaha dang this is our fear. I worry that he would become dominant and a bully with a less confident cat.”source ↗
“I recently adopted a new cat, but my first cat keeps hissing at the new one. Is this normal, and what can I do to help them get along and adjust to each other?”source ↗