Whats the best way to introduce a new cat to a home which has a cat?
Introducing a new cat or kitten to a home already occupied by a feline family member can be a delicate matter. Cats are territorial and almost all cats will feel that the new kitty is an invader. With human patience and some environmental adjustments most introductions can be accomplished with a minimum of stress. All new cats and kittens should have a veterinary check-up and be tested for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and parasites before being brought home. The timing of these tests depends on the cat’s prior exposure history and should be discussed with your veterinarian. Cats or kittens with uncertain health histories (such as: strays, cats adopted from shelters or rescue groups or purchased in pet stores) should be strictly quarantined for two weeks to help avoid contagion in case they are incubating an infectious disease. Even apparently healthy cats can suffer a stress induced relapse of an upper respiratory infection that can be contagious to
