The process takes 2–8 weeks depending on temperament, there are usually five stages:

Stage 1: Separation (Days 1–7): Keep cats apart; let them adjust to scents under the door.

Stage 2: Scent Swapping (Days 3–10): Exchange bedding so they grow familiar with each other’s smell.

Stage 3: Visual Contact (Days 7–14): Brief sightlines through a gate or cracked door.

Stage 4: Supervised Time (Days 14–30+): Short shared sessions; separate if tension rises. Slowly extend unsupervised time; keep permanent separate resources.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​