Moving a cat in with an existing cat temporarily.

Marmaladeaddict · 2026-05-27T19:17:08+00:00

I would welcome some advice. We have a nine year old cat who is quite neurotic. My daughter is moving house to relocate near us hundreds of miles and she needs to stay with us until she finds a flat. She has a half ragdoll cat who is an indoor cat and doesn’t like closed doors. Ours is an outdoor cat. My daughter wants to bring her cat to stay with us temporarily and I just can’t see any way this will work. Has anyone had a similar situation? I’ve said no but I don’t know what else she could do.

Jellyofftheplate · 27/05/2026 20:41

A flat to buy or to rent?

If she moves her cat in then yours will most likely move out completely or get constant stress UTIs. Cats are not social animals at the best of times - some manage to cohabit, but it's not what they have evolved to do. I think she needs to consider finding a short term rental if she's looking to buy, or putting hers in a cattery if she's just needing a few weeks to sort a tenancy.

Original poster

Marmaladeaddict · 27/05/2026 21:06

Jellyofftheplate · 27/05/2026 20:41

A flat to buy or to rent?

If she moves her cat in then yours will most likely move out completely or get constant stress UTIs. Cats are not social animals at the best of times - some manage to cohabit, but it's not what they have evolved to do. I think she needs to consider finding a short term rental if she's looking to buy, or putting hers in a cattery if she's just needing a few weeks to sort a tenancy.

She needs to rent. Her cat has been in a cattery twice recently and she doesn’t want to leave it in a cattery for a long period and can’t afford it. She’s going to start looking for somewheee as soon as she gets here. She can’t view until she’s here .

OP posts:

Dameputtingonabraveface · 27/05/2026 21:36

I have a very old cat who dislikes other cats. She turned up in our garden when she was about 5 years old (she is now nearly 20) and a few years ago we ended up fostering kittens (originally for a week to help out, then became a bigger commitment)! Since then we have adopted 2 boys who were not adopted and have 2 girls who are long time fosters.

It can be done as long as you are realistic and do not expect them to get on. There is lots of advice online about cats moving into a new environment, decompressing etc. I know you say one cat does not like closed doors, but in reality your daughter's cat will need to be confined to one space initially so make sure you make it as cat friendly as possible (so places to hide, different levels to jump and play etc). I have taken in feral cats which have had to be confined to crates and catios, which I hate doing, but it has been part of the process before they can then be let loose in one room and then when they are confident roam and have more freedom within the house.

Two of the cats in my house do not like other cats but they mainly ignore the others, and the others know just to leave them alone. They are not overly stressed by the, they just make sure they know their place with a bit of hissing. Do not throw them together and hope for the best, but it can be done. I grew up with cats and mum was always taking in strays who turned up, if neutered and allowed space, they generally seem to tolerate each other, even if they have no desire to have interaction with each other. Friends who have been a one cat household and then introduced another at a later date report the same.

Original poster

Marmaladeaddict · 27/05/2026 23:20

Dameputtingonabraveface · 27/05/2026 21:36

I have a very old cat who dislikes other cats. She turned up in our garden when she was about 5 years old (she is now nearly 20) and a few years ago we ended up fostering kittens (originally for a week to help out, then became a bigger commitment)! Since then we have adopted 2 boys who were not adopted and have 2 girls who are long time fosters.

It can be done as long as you are realistic and do not expect them to get on. There is lots of advice online about cats moving into a new environment, decompressing etc. I know you say one cat does not like closed doors, but in reality your daughter's cat will need to be confined to one space initially so make sure you make it as cat friendly as possible (so places to hide, different levels to jump and play etc). I have taken in feral cats which have had to be confined to crates and catios, which I hate doing, but it has been part of the process before they can then be let loose in one room and then when they are confident roam and have more freedom within the house.

Two of the cats in my house do not like other cats but they mainly ignore the others, and the others know just to leave them alone. They are not overly stressed by the, they just make sure they know their place with a bit of hissing. Do not throw them together and hope for the best, but it can be done. I grew up with cats and mum was always taking in strays who turned up, if neutered and allowed space, they generally seem to tolerate each other, even if they have no desire to have interaction with each other. Friends who have been a one cat household and then introduced another at a later date report the same.

That’s encouraging! She is suggesting confining her cat to upstairs with a stair gate. Our cat rarely goes upstairs. Seems like a miserable life for her cat but maybe it would work short term.

OP posts: