Vet Tips 2025: How to Introduce a New Cat to Your Home Peacefully 🐾🏡

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Introducing a new cat into your home is more than just opening the carrier door and hoping for the best. 😼➡️🏠 It’s a delicate process that requires planning, patience, and a cat-savvy approach to help everyone feel safe, secure, and welcome—especially if you already have other pets. 🐾

As a vet, I’ve seen countless feline introductions go both beautifully and... not so beautifully. With the right steps, you can help your cats become companions instead of combatants. Let’s dive into a gentle, step-by-step approach to making your multi-cat household a harmonious one in 2025. 🧘‍♀️🐱

Step 1: Prepare a Private Sanctuary Room 🛏️🚪

Before your new cat arrives, prepare a quiet, cozy space just for them. This room is their safe zone—a place to decompress, relax, and slowly adjust to new smells and sounds.

• 🛏️ Comfortable bed
• 🥣 Separate food and water bowls
• 🚽 Litter box (placed away from food and water)
• 🧸 Toys and scratching posts

This setup minimizes stress and allows your new feline family member to settle in gradually. Think of it like a feline hotel suite to ease them into their new environment. 🏨🐱

Step 2: Resource Multiplication 🧺🧸🍽️

Cats are territorial and value their personal space—and their stuff. To avoid competition or conflict, ensure each cat has access to their own:

• 🥣 Food and water dishes
• 🚽 Litter boxes (the rule: one per cat, plus one extra!)
• 🪵 Scratching surfaces
• 🧸 Toys and beds

Having ample resources reduces the urge to defend or guard territory. Sharing is optional—especially when you're a cat. 😼🛋️

Step 3: Visit the Vet First 🩺🐱

Before introductions begin, ensure your new cat is healthy and won’t transmit any illnesses to existing pets. Schedule a