How to introduce cats is the most question people ask me about. While there are many fantastic resources on cat introduction, the most important part, redirection, often doesn’t get enough attention. Once the staring starts, redirection must happen or there will be a negative result. If you’ve gotten to the point of feeding cats on opposites sides and don’t know what’s next, this article is for you.
Why We Redirect Staring
If you have cats that don’t get along, you’re very familiar with what happens before an altercation: there is a stare down.
When you introduce cats, it’s crucial to interrupt this stare and redirect the cat to something productive. We want to stop their brain in its tracks and say, “Hey, do this” instead.
It’s exhausting to redirect because yes, you have to do it every time a cat starts to stare which is A LOT in the beginning. Just like anything else, training for a new behavior doesn’t happen overnight. A cat needs a lot of repetition to break their habit and learn not to focus on the other cat.
Before we dive into the redirection techniques, I want to review common steps for how to introduce cats.
Quick Rundown of Introducing Cats
There are many articles (including some on my site) on this topic, so this is just a very quick overview.
Step 1: Scent Swap, Site Swap
Scent swap is swapping materials that smell like each cat, like blankets, beds, and scratchers, to help each cat get used to the other’s scent.
Site swapping is allowing each cat to spend time in the location where the other cat spends their time. If a new cat is in the bedroom, put the resident cat in that bedroom and allow the new cat to explore the rest of the house (do this without the cats seeing each other).
Step 2: Covered Barrier
Use a covered barrier, like a baby gate, and do at least one 10-minute training session per day. Entertain both cats and keep their focus off the gate.
Step 3: Slowly Uncover the Barrier
In small increments, uncover the barrier a little for each training session until it’s completely uncovered. Keep the cats focused on other activities, not each other and not the barrier.
Step 4: Slowly Open the Barrier
In small increments, open the barrier a little for each training session until it’s completely open. Continue with redirection to keep the cats from focusing on one another.
Step 5: Extend Together Time
By the time you reach this step, the cats have had 10-minute training sessions with the barrier totally open, so they can spend 10 minutes together. Slowly extend this time. Depending on the cats’ personalities, you may want to extend it 2 minutes or 5 minutes or 10 minutes – it’s up to you and what you’re seeing. Once you reach 30 minutes, you can really play with the timing and leave the cats together for longer.
Redirection Techniques
Now, let’s move on to redirection techniques and activities you can do to keep your cats from focusing on each other.
You are best to catch and redirect a stare at the beginning. The longer you let the stare continue, the harder it will be to redirect. Keep in mind, it’s okay for a cat to look at another cat; the stare is what we want to avoid. Pay close attention to body language – if you see large pupils or a thumping tail, you need to redirect ASAP.
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Mealtime/Foraging/Treats
A common recommendation is to feed cats on opposite sides of a barrier, and that’s for good reason. Doing this will not only keep the cats’ attention, but it will also help them associate something positive with the barrier and the other cat.
If your cat eats fast or if you’re trying to introduce cats by yourself, consider incorporating an activity with their meal to slow them down:
- Dry Food – Feed with a food puzzle. This will keep the cat occupied, productively using their brain, and getting rewarded all at once. Here are some food puzzles I like:
- Wet Food – Use a lick mat to slow down their eating. An example is the HyperPet IQ Lick Mat, which is great for wet food or tube treats.
Another way to use food to redirect is to use treats. I usually recommend clients give treats only during training sessions while you introduce cats so that the treats are seen as more special. Some popular treats include:
- Delectables Variety – My cats’ favorite!
- Churu Chicken Variety
- Temptations Classis and MixUps Variety
- Party Mix Variety
- Greenies Variety
- PureBites Freeze Dried Chicken
You can also give high-value treats during this time. These are treats that are better than your average treat.
Playtime
The truth is, nearly all cats play, but finding the right toy that makes them play can be a trick. By far, the most successful toys for interactive play are wand toys, and they are great for grabbing attention and engaging a cat. Here are some of my personal faves:
- Go Cat Wire Wand with Bee – Most popular with my cats and clients.
- Go Cat Da Purr-Peller – Looks like a bird flapping in the air!
- Cat Dancer – Super affordable.
- NECOICHI Crinky Critters Dragonfly
- Vee Vee Purrfect WispyBouncer Wand
- PURRfect Leather Bouncer Toy
Another redirection method is to use automatic toys. These are great if you have to introduce cats by yourself or if your cat really likes them. Cats either love an automatic toy or are completely disinterested, so it may take a little time for you to find one your cat likes. Here are some suggestions (I tried to pick a variety of types):
- Petlinks Mystery Motion – Most popular with my cats.
- PetSafe Automatic Laser Pointer – Always complete any laser toy play with giving the cat something physical, like a physical toy to touch or treat to eat.
- Petcronies Automatic Wand Toy – Moves like an animal tail.
- BENTOPAL Peekaboo Cat Cave – Great for cats that like when toys are hidden.
- Migipaws Whack-a-Mole
- ALL FOR PAWS Butterfly Flutter Bug
- KONOATOR Mouse & Feather Stimulation – Super affordable.
Clicker Training
A very effective way to redirect is clicker training. Using clicker training, you can teach a cat (or just about any animal) to perform an action on command. When the cat performs the action, you click and reward. The most common actions that will be helpful with redirection are targeting, sit, look away, look at me, go to place, and high five.
You can get any clicker, but I like the ClikStik because it has an extendable wand that’s useful. If you don’t want to buy a clicker, you can use a clickable pen or make a click sound with your mouth. You’ll also want to have treats nearby.
To start, you’ll load the clicker, which is clicking it and then immediately offering a reward. The next step is to have the cat target something. I find having them touch their nose to an object is the easiest and they usually catch on quickly. If you have a ClikStik, use the wand; if not, your finger or a pen will do. Say “nose” and when they touch the object, click and reward.
Once they get this down, you can graduate to teaching other things (all outline in my article Clicker Train Your Cat). You can imagine how powerful it is when your cat starts to stare at another cat and you say, “look away” and they listen!
Cats and owners really enjoy clicker training and it’s a powerful redirection technique.
Catnip Party
While it isn’t an option for all cats, a catnip party will redirect some. You’ll basically want to get some potent catnip (I recommend Yeowww! Catnip Tub), rub it between your fingers, and let it fall to the floor. If your cat is affected by catnip, they’ll roll around and eat it. Only do this twice a week to make sure the catnip remains effective (the more often they have it, the less it works). Catnip will entertain some cats and keep their attention off the other cat.
If your cat gets aggressive on catnip, please don’t use it.
Consistency Is Key
Redirection techniques only work when you introduce cats if you continue to do them. Inconsistency redirecting will not have an impact. It will frustrate you and confuse your cat. Redirect every time you have the opportunity, and over time, your cat should learn to accept the other cat’s presence more.
If you don’t have success redirecting your cat, you may want to consider rehoming. Some cats don’t get along with other cats no matter how hard we try.
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