Harmony, Not Truce: A Step-by-Step Protocol for Multi-Cat Introductions and Peacekeeping

Peace is designed, not wished for. Cats are conservative philosophers; territory is scripture. Introductions that respect that truth prevent months of parliament. Here is a precise, humane protocol.

1) Prepare the Stage (Before Day 1)

• Two of everything: litter, bowls, perches, beds. Scarcity invites politics.

• Room setup: the newcomer gets a closed, quiet room with vertical options, a hiding cave, and a door draft stopper.

• Scent swap kit: two soft cloths labeled by cat; treat jars in both territories.

2) Phase 1 — Scent Without Sight (2–5 days)

• Feed on opposite sides of the door; start at 1–2 m (3–6 ft), drift bowls closer daily.

• Swap the labeled cloths and bedding daily; reward curiosity with treats.

• Scoop litter separately; no shared air of accusation.

3) Phase 2 — Controlled Sight (2–7 days)

• Visual barrier: baby gate with a towel half-cover; crack the door 2–5 cm with a door stop, or use a screen.

• Short sessions (3–5 min) paired with meals or wand play.

• End while curiosity is warm, not hot. Hiss is a noun; fighting is a verb—stop before the verb.

4) Phase 3 — Parallel Time, Shared Air (several days)

• One cat explores while the other rests behind the gate; alternate.

• Begin very brief open-room overlaps with two humans, two toys, two exits.

• Keep leashes off; flight is a valid de-escalation.

5) Phase 4 — Supervised Freedom → Unsupervised

• Extend sessions; add distributed resources (extra water, scratchers).

• First unsupervised attempts should be short and after play/meals when arousal is low.

6) If Conflict Sparks

• Interrupt without hands: towel toss near (not on) or loud clap; redirect with toys; separate to previous phase.

• Add vertical “refuges with views” to break line-of-sight ambushes.

• Consider Feliway-type diffusers as a neutral background, not a magic wand.

7) Long-Term Peacekeeping

• Keep play ritualized; energy spent on prey is energy not wasted on parliament.

• Maintain N+1 litter boxes and multiple feeding stations.

• Trim nails regularly; rehearse carrier time so vet trips don’t reset détente.

Civility is engineered: two exits, two bowls, and a calendar. Let respect, not rivalry, write the house rules.