So your household already is home to one or two cats, and all is well. But lately you've been thinking about that sweet cat you saw at the adoption center or shelter, that lonely cat who needs a good forever home, or the homeless cat who seems to turn up, with big, pleading eyes, near your door every time you leave your house or come home. And you realize that you do have a little room in your home and in your life for another cat ...

Yet, you wonder how your cat(s) will react to a new feline family member...?  After all, it's important to have a peaceful home, where everyone feels happy and secure.

If you've been considering adopting another cat into your household, which can be a wonderful thing to do,  here are a few tips to help make the transition a successful one.

The manner in which your cat is introduced to the newcomer is of great importance.   Cats can be very territorial, and your cat might feel threatened by the new cat's presence in his or her home. 

Therefore, your new cat should be brought directly to a separate room - one with a door that can be closed - with food and water dishes and a litter pan and, perhaps a cushion or folded-up towel for your new cat to curl up and rest on.

Spend lots of time with your new cat in his or her room, and be sure to spend more time with your "old" cats, as well, which will offer reassurance of their status, so that they will feel less threatened by the newcomer's presence.  Also, they constantly will be picking up the scent of your new cat on you, until they come to accept this new scent as part of their home.  Also, more than likely they will be sniffing under the closed door to your new cat's room. 

Don't be surprised if you hear some hissing or even growling for awhile, from both sides of the door.  Some cats are slower to accept a newcomer than others might be, and new cats can react defensively, naturally.

The process can take a few days, a few weeks, or even longer, depending on the cats' personalities.  It's important to be sensitive to each cat's individual social needs - including the new cat's needs, as well.

Once the hostilities between the separated cats seem to be fading, you might bring an item, such as a towel, out of your new cat's room, and place it next to your "old" cat's food dish.
When the time seems right to introduce both cats in person, make sure that you are present to control or diffuse any problems that might occur.  For awhile, until you are sure that the cats have accepted each other's presence, it's a good idea to keep them separated when you leave the house.  And be sure that they each continue to have their own food and water dishes and litter pans, too.

Generally, with a little time and patience, the cats should soon come to good terms with each other, if not as great buddies, at least as "roommates" - though in many cases, the cats will indeed  bond with each other, and become the very best of friends. 

And this, of course, makes that little bit of effort on your part, very well worthwhile!