How to Get New Pets to Get Along — Tips from Four Former Feral Roommates
Published On: 10/8/2025
Last Updated On: 10/8/2025
By Callie, Seymour, Yebba, and Mama and our Hooman Ashley!
FREE CAT HAIR HACKS
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FREE CAT HAIR HACKS ⬇️
So… your Hoomans brought home a new pet. Cue the dramatic music….
Suddenly your food smells different, your nap schedule’s wrecked, and there’s a fluffy stranger sitting on your favorite sunbeam. We get it — we’ve been there.
But here’s the truth: even if your home feels like a season finale of Real Housecats of Pennsylvania, peace is possible. You just need the right mix of patience, playtime, and a sprinkle of tuna diplomacy.
Step 1: The Sniff Test of Destiny
SEYMOUR here (Chief Snack Officer):
Don’t rush introductions. New scents can be intense. Let your pets smell each other’s blankets, beds, or toys before meeting face-to-face.
Pro Tip: Swap their sleeping spots for one night — it helps everyone’s noses catch up before their paws do.
This gentle “scent swap” technique is pure gold for cats, dogs, and even those chirpy little birds who think they run the place.
Step 2: The Slow Reveal (Because Drama Isn’t Our Brand)
Start with a door between them — let them see, hear, and smell each other safely. Then move to short, supervised hangouts with plenty of treats.
Mama calls it “controlled curiosity.”
We call it “How not to hiss yourself into a corner.”
Gradually increase interaction time, keeping the vibe calm. No chasing. No swatting. No screaming (Hoomans and children included).
Step 3: Equal Love, Equal Snacks
YEBBA chiming in:
Jealousy is real, friends. When the new kid gets all the “awws,” old-timers can feel left out.
So make sure everyone gets:
Their own feeding station 🍽️
Their own litter box 🚽 (yes, one per cat plus one)
Equal snuggle time 💛
Trust me — nothing smooths over a rocky introduction like synchronized treat time.
Step 4: Celebrate Every Tiny Win
MAMA here, the wise one:
Did your pets sit in the same room without growling? That’s progress.
Did someone almost share a couch? That’s a win.
Give it time, praise the calm moments, and remember — love grows quietly, like catnip in the sun.
🐾 Bonus Tip: Travel Together (Well, Kind Of)
Once your home feels peaceful again, why not plan a pet-friendly getaway? We recently explored a dreamy Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Airbnb in Wernersville, PA — perfect for hoomans and their furry entourage.
Because sometimes, a change of scenery can reset the vibes completely.
🐾 Coming tomorrow on Stray Cat News
🎃 “Meowloween 2025 Recap with ARL in Reading, PA” — costumes, catnip, and community magic galore!
