FREE TOOL · NO SIGNUP
Introduce a new cat without the hissing.
Most cats need roughly two to five weeks to settle together, longer for shy cats and shorter for kittens. This free planner builds a step-by-step schedule for your two cats, with a calendar file and a printable copy.
Who is joining your home?
Kittens usually settle faster, but your cat still needs time.
Free · no signup · about a minute
Your two cats
Used for your calendar file.
YOUR PLAN
Cautious resident · adult cat
About 17–34 days to a shared home
Step 1: Safe room3–5 days
The newcomer settles into a room of their own, with food, water, litter and a hiding place.
Move on when: eating, using the litter box and relaxed in their body.
Step 2: Scent swap3–5 days
Trade blankets and bowls so each cat learns the other smell before the other cat.
Move on when: neither cat hisses at the other cat's scent.
Step 3: Meals at the door3–7 days
Feed both cats either side of the closed door, moving the bowls a little closer each day.
Move on when: both finish a full meal with the bowls near the door.
Step 4: First sight3–7 days
A baby gate or a door open a crack, in short sessions with a treat for calm.
Move on when: looks are relaxed, with no stare-downs or growling.
Step 5: Supervised time5–10 days
Short visits in the same room, always with an easy exit for each cat.
Move on when: both cats can rest, play or eat with the other in view.
Cats set the pace, not the calendar. If either cat is hiding, not eating or growling, stay on the current step.
Dates use the middle of each range.
Five steps, one door at a time.
- R = your cat at home
- N = the newcomer
Step 1: Safe room
Door closed. The newcomer settles in; your cat keeps the rest of the home.
3–5 days
Step 2: Scent swap
Door closed. Blankets and bowls trade places each day.
3–5 days
Step 3: Meals at the door
Door closed. Both cats eat with the bowls close to it.
3–7 days
Step 4: First sight
A baby gate or a door open a crack. Short, calm sessions.
3–7 days
Step 5: Supervised time
Door open. Short visits in the same room, each cat with an exit.
5–10 days
If a step goes badly
Hissing or growling
Go back one step and keep sessions shorter. Hissing is information, not failure.
Hiding or skipping meals
Stay on the current step. A cat that stops eating for a day or more needs a vet call.
A scuffle
Do not reach in. Make a loud noise or drop a cushion between them, then restart at step 3.
Keep this plan
A calendar file with a reminder for each step, or a one-page print for the fridge.
Still choosing the newcomer?
The Mumcat matcher pairs cats by temperament, so the first meeting starts well.
How the plan works
- Scent first: the cats get to know each other's smell while a closed door keeps everyone safe.
- Sight second: short, calm looks through a gate or a door open a crack, always paired with food or treats.
- Contact last: short supervised visits in the same room, each cat with an easy way out.
- The slower cat sets the pace. Move on only when both cats meet the “move on when” sign for the step.
The plan is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Ask a vet or a qualified behaviourist if there is aggression, an injury, or a cat that stops eating.
Questions people ask
How long does it take for two cats to accept each other?
It varies from about two weeks to several months. Kittens and confident cats are usually faster; shy or older cats need longer. Follow your cats' behaviour, not the calendar.
Can I skip a step if the cats seem fine?
It is safer not to. Each step builds a calm association with the other cat. If both cats are relaxed, the step simply passes quickly.
What should I do if they hiss?
Hissing is normal communication. Go back one step, shorten the sessions and reward calm behaviour. Our guide explains how to introduce a new cat to a resident cat in more detail.
Do kittens really need less time?
Often, because they are less territorial, but the resident cat still needs time to adjust, so the plan is shorter, not skipped.
When should I ask a vet or behaviourist?
If a cat stops eating for a day or more, if there are injuries or repeated fighting, or if one cat is constantly hiding. Stress can also show up in the litter tray: why a cat stops using the litter box.
Cat Introduction Planner
Cautious resident · adult cat · About 17–34 days to a shared home
- 1. Safe room — 3–5 days
The newcomer settles into a room of their own, with food, water, litter and a hiding place. Move on when: eating, using the litter box and relaxed in their body. - 2. Scent swap — 3–5 days
Trade blankets and bowls so each cat learns the other smell before the other cat. Move on when: neither cat hisses at the other cat's scent. - 3. Meals at the door — 3–7 days
Feed both cats either side of the closed door, moving the bowls a little closer each day. Move on when: both finish a full meal with the bowls near the door. - 4. First sight — 3–7 days
A baby gate or a door open a crack, in short sessions with a treat for calm. Move on when: looks are relaxed, with no stare-downs or growling. - 5. Supervised time — 5–10 days
Short visits in the same room, always with an easy exit for each cat. Move on when: both cats can rest, play or eat with the other in view.
Cats set the pace, not the calendar. If either cat is hiding, not eating or growling, stay on the current step.
If a step goes badly
- Hissing or growling: Go back one step and keep sessions shorter. Hissing is information, not failure.
- Hiding or skipping meals: Stay on the current step. A cat that stops eating for a day or more needs a vet call.
- A scuffle: Do not reach in. Make a loud noise or drop a cushion between them, then restart at step 3.
The plan is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Ask a vet or a qualified behaviourist if there is aggression, an injury, or a cat that stops eating.
Mumcatorg · mumcat.org/tools/cat-introduction-planner