Some cats are so social that they need constant companionship. Getting them a furry playmate can ease their boredom and anxiety while you’re away from home.
Add this to your moving checklist: Update your cat’s ID tags before your move. On the day you get your new telephone number at your new locale, buy your cat a new ID tag. Add it to her collar and remove the old tag after you’ve reached your new locale. If your cat happens to scoot out in the midst of the move, people who find her will have a way to reach you. Hmm . . . if only cats had pagers, we would worry less!
Making the proper introduction, however, is vital. Ideally, the best furry friendships are between the same species — cat-to-cat — but you can also make winning matches between a cat and a dog, guinea pig, rabbit, bird, and other critters. Aim for complementary personalities whenever feasible. If your cat is an extrovert and bold, pair her up with a cat that is easygoing and willing to play follow the leader.
Murphy is the newest arrival in my home and quickly became buddies with Little Guy and Callie because I heeded these instructions from some of my animal behaviorist friends:
1. Buy your cat a new scratching post a few days ahead of the new pet’s arrival. Okay, so it’s a bribe, but your cat will associate this prize with an impending positive change.
2. Be patient. Friendships, like Rome, aren’t always built in a day. Some cats take weeks, even months, to become paw pals.
3. Plan ahead. Select a large bathroom or spare room to house the new arrival. Place cat necessities in that room: food and water bowls, bedding, litter box, and toys and shut the door so your house cat won’t snoop around.
4. Bring the new pet in as quietly and incognito as possible. Try not to let your cat see you entering the door with this animal to avoid any resentment. Don’t pussyfoot around. Walk straight to the new cat room and place her inside and shut the door.
5. By now, your house cat will suspect something is different and will be drawn to the door. Let both animals meet each other
by sniffing one another from under the door. This helps them get to know one another on their own terms.
6. After a day or so, take a slightly damp towel and rub it on your new animal’s back. Then rub this towel on your house cat’s back. Take a second damp towel and rub it first on your house cat’s back and then on the new arrival’s back. Let their scents intermingle.
7. Spend quality one-on-one time with each pet. Pamper them with plenty of praise, hugs, and treats. Make each one feel special.
8. After a few days, switch places. Put your house cat in the spare room for a couple of hours and let the new arrival check out the rest of the house. This helps prevent any possible turf tussles.
9. You’re finally ready for the face-to-face introduction. Let your house cat be free to approach the new arrival that you place inside a carrier or on a leash. Let them have plenty of time to approach and sniff. Expect a few hisses — it’s your house cat’s way of declaring, “Hey, I’m the boss around here.”
10. Gradually increase the exposure time of the animals to each other. Give them both food treats, always offering a treat to your house cat first.
Once you feel confident that the two animals can get along, then you can leave them alone unsupervised. Toleration will lead to a playful friendship.



With the proper introductions and plenty of patience, you can provide your cat with well-mannered, friendly companions to share the home with.