Bringing home another cat is exciting. You might already be imagining your two cats sharing a sunny window or sleeping beside each other.
But their first days together may look very different—and that’s okay.
A gentle introduction gives both cats time to feel comfortable. The goal is to build a home where each cat can eat, rest, play and use the litter tray without feeling threatened.
Prepare a separate space first
Before your new cat arrives, prepare a quiet room with their own food, water, litter tray, bedding, scratching surface and hiding place.
This gives the newcomer somewhere to settle while your resident cat keeps access to familiar spaces.
Ask your vet about health checks and any precautions needed before the cats meet or share belongings, particularly if the newcomer’s health history is unknown.
For your household, make the plan clear: which room belongs to the newcomer, who checks supplies, and which doors need to stay closed.
Let scent come before sight
Cats don’t need to meet face-to-face immediately.
Once health precautions allow, you can offer a small bedding item carrying the other cat’s scent. Let each cat investigate at their own pace.
Sniffing, walking away or ignoring the item all give you information. You don’t need to push it closer or keep presenting it until you get a reaction.
Scent exchanges can help cats become familiar with each other before direct contact.
Keep everyday routines familiar
Your resident cat still needs attention, play and comfortable resting places.
It’s easy to spend extra time with the newcomer, but keeping familiar routines helps you care for both cats during the change.
Think about the whole home, too. Separate feeding areas, resting spots and accessible litter trays give cats more choices. A useful starting point is one litter tray per cat, plus one extra.
Build up meetings gradually
When both cats are comfortable with earlier steps, brief views through a secure barrier may be the next stage.
The barrier must prevent contact, and each cat should have space to move away. Supervise closely and end the session if either cat becomes distressed.
Later shared time should also build gradually. If tension appears, return to an easier stage rather than pushing forward.
Watch both cats—not the calendar
A planner can help you notice patterns, but it shouldn’t become a deadline.
Useful notes might include:
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What each cat did during the session.
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Whether either cat moved away.
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How the session ended.
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What you observed afterwards.
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Questions you want to ask your vet.
Repeated chasing, conflict or changes in normal behaviour deserve professional advice. Avoid punishment, and never place your hands between fighting cats.
Make your next step easier to organise
Our Bringing Home a Second Cat: A Gentle Introduction Guide & Printable Planner brings the preparation steps together in one practical PDF.
The 16-page guide includes six reusable worksheets: a home readiness checklist, two-cat profile, resource map, session log, progress planner and household handover.
Explore the Second Cat Introduction Guide
Take the process one comfortable step at a time. Your cats’ wellbeing matters more than how quickly they share a room.