Precerpt from Raising Happy Cat Families: Visiting Cats
Our nieghbor's cats sharing a warming mat on the catio.
Precerpt (excerpt from prepublication book) from Raising Happy Cat Families by Luna Norwood --
When our neighbor moved
out of town temporarily, we agreed to watch over her two cats for a few months.
That simple act of kindness brought our cat family to ten—a number that might
make some people’s fur stand on end. But for us, it was another opportunity to
observe and learn from the complex, sometimes magical, world of inter-cat
relationships.
The two visitor cats were
outdoor cats. Ours are strictly indoor, with access to a generously sized,
fully enclosed catio—a screened-in haven that lets them safely enjoy fresh air,
birdwatching, and sunshine. Fortunately, our neighbor admired our catio and
dubbed it “cat heaven,” so it was only fitting that her girls started their
stay out there.
We didn’t rush anything.
The visiting cats got the full run of the catio—ample space, privacy, and
enrichment—while being physically separate from the rest of the household. This
was more than a safety measure; it gave everyone time to adjust to the new smells,
sounds, and rhythms without pressure. Over the weeks, our cats wandered by the
screen door, sniffing and sometimes sitting quietly with the newcomers on
either side of the barrier.
As the weather turned
colder, we opened up the bedroom that adjoins the catio, offering a cozy indoor
space for the guests to warm up. There, they had access to the bedroom, the
attached bathroom, and a walk-in closet outfitted with a quiet hideaway den
just for them. We made it clear to our resident cats—through body language,
tone, and gentle redirection—that the closet space was reserved. The visitors
had their retreat, and our cats respected that.
It was a learning
experience for everyone.
For the visiting cats,
the entire concept of indoor living was new. The warmth, the stability, the
endless supply of food and water, and the peace—no cars, raccoons, or
territorial disputes—took some getting used to. They had each other, which
helped immensely. Having a bonded pair enter a large, unfamiliar group seems to
have buffered some of the typical tension. They arrived as a unit, which subtly
shifted the power dynamic. They weren’t alone.
For our resident cats, it
was an adjustment, too. The new girls didn’t arrive quietly or timidly—they
brought their own confident rhythms, outdoor scents, and a different sense of
space. But perhaps because they arrived as a pair, our cats didn’t try to assert
dominance. They didn’t push or posture. No hissing, no territorial squabbles.
Just curiosity, watchfulness, and eventually, quiet coexistence.
It helped, of course,
that our cats are used to change. They’re used to welcoming new cats. They’ve
said goodbye to old friends and grown up under the guidance of gentle elders.
But it also helped that the visiting cats were never thrust into the deep end.
They had time, space, and their own familiar scents around them.
One thing that struck me
was how easily everyone shared. Food dishes, water bowls, toys, and even litter
boxes were used interchangeably. We placed extra dishes and litter stations
around the shared spaces, but there was no sense of scarcity or competition. I
think our cats were just thrilled to get access to the catio again! They didn't
mind that two new faces had taken temporary ownership.
There are a few reasons I
think the integration was so smooth:
- Gradual
introduction: The visitors had their own space for several weeks.
- Scent
familiarity: By the time the cats met face-to-face, everyone’s scent had
mingled through the catio screens and shared furniture.
- Resident
cats accustomed to change: This wasn’t their first rodeo.
- The
power of numbers: There’s real comfort in having a large, stable group.
Newcomers seemed to sense the peace and adapt to it.
The visiting cats
eventually moved on when their owner returned, but their stay left a mark. Not
only did we learn more about feline social dynamics, but we saw again how
adaptable cats really are—how much they can teach us about boundaries,
patience, and community.
And perhaps most
important, it reminded us that hospitality isn’t just a human value. When
offered with care and calm, it can thrive in the cat world, too.
Learn more about cats. See our many Caturday posts.
Be entertained. See all our posts about cats.
Be inspired. See posts by and about Sula, parish cat, and her books.
Have a chuckle. Read posts by and about Jeremy Feig's award-winning book (book of the year finalist, Kops-Fetherling Lagacy Award for Humor), How My Cat Made Me a Better Man.
Watch for Luna Norwood's forthcoming book, Raising Happy Cat Families.
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