quarantine room setup

I am finally getting a new cat next week and I want to be thorough. I know Whiskey is a bit sensitive to change and Cola is very playful, so I don't want any accidents.

What does a proper quarantine room actually look like? I have a spare bedroom that is about 10x12. Is that enough space, or do I need to block off a corner of the living room instead? I want to make sure the setup is safe and functional before the arrival.

Welcome to the forum, Greg. A 10x12 room is generally quite sufficient for a single cat. You don't necessarily need to block off the living room unless you have a very large dog or a cat that likes to roam.

In my experience with Mabel, having a dedicated room helps keep the stress levels down for everyone. I would recommend checking out Minimum space for a new arrival where we discussed the specific dimensions I found comfortable for my last introduction. It covers the basics of furniture placement too.

Hi Greg! I think the size is fine. The most important thing is the hygiene setup. Since you are an architect, you probably appreciate structure.

You will need a litter box, food and water bowls, and a few hiding spots. I wrote a post about Sanitizing the isolation area a while back that lists the specific cleaners I use that are safe for cats but tough on bacteria. It is a bit long but very useful.

Oh my goodness, so exciting! Don't forget about the food! Chester was such a picky eater when we got him and I was so worried he wouldn't eat the new food.

I ended up mixing things up for a week. You might want to look at Feeding a picky new cat to see how I managed the transition. It saved me so much stress!

Also need toys. Whiskers gets bored fast if there is nothing to do.

Check out Safe enrichment items for ideas on what to buy. Avoid anything with strings or small parts that could get swallowed.

Thanks everyone. The 10x12 space seems to be the consensus. I will definitely use the sanitation list from sharon62 and the feeding tips from chester_mama.

I am still unsure about how long to keep them separated. I have seen varying advice on when to actually open the door. Is there a standard timeline or do I just wait until the new cat is calm? I don't want to rush Whiskey.

That is a very good question, Greg. It depends heavily on the personality of the new cat and how Whiskey reacts to the scent exchange.

Since this is a big decision, I would suggest waiting until you have a clear signal from the new cat. I am planning to write a detailed thread on Reading readiness for release later this week to cover the specific behavioral signs I look for. It will include the scent swapping process and how to interpret body language. I think that will help you decide when to move to the next step.