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You already have a cat. But you’re thinking about a second cat, the time has come to have another one. It sounds great, and what’s more, it won’t be upsetting if you make some preparations before bringing in a new member of the household.
The first thing you should do is to assess whether the cat that already lives with you will adapt to the presence of a new companion. The majority of well socialised cats will do.
However, a cat that was separated from its mother and siblings before one month old will struggle to adapt and, in this case, it is not advisable to bring in another cat.
Also, bear in mind that if you already have a male cat that has not been neutered, it is not a good idea for the second to share the same characteristics, because the rivalry between males of the feline species is significant and it is very difficult for them to share territory.
If there are two females, or a male and female, it is more likely that they will soon get along, and if both have been neutered it will be even simpler.
Lastly, if one of the two is a kitten (between 1.5 and 2.5 months old), things will run even more smoothly.
Consider whether the physical space that you have available at home will be adequate for two animals.
Consider whether the physical space that you have available at home will be adequate for two cats. If you live in a very small flat, you can really increase the cats’ living space by putting up shelves on the walls or raised platforms, which the cats can get to when they want to lie down, relax and be alone.
There should be a container for water and another for food for each cat, always readily available. With the litter tray, it would be ideal to have one tray for each of them plus one extra tray. This does not mean that they’ll share all the resources within their reach (bowls and trays) problem-free, but they need to know that there is enough for everyone.
On the first day that your new cat arrives in your home, it would be better if they do not see or touch the cat that you already have. You will do this by assigning a room with a closed door to the new one, so that they can only smell one-another and hear one-another. From the next day, you can allow them to begin to interact, with patience and dedication. You will know that they have clicked when you see them sometimes playing together, grooming one-another, and especially when they manage to sleep or rest curled up together.