Question · Q-00001
Can two cats live happily in a 20 m² studio?
I have one cat and I am considering adopting a second.
My studio is 20 m² with one big window. Everyone online says cats need territory, but I would love to hear from people who actually did this in a small place.
Did it work? What would you do differently?
5 replies from the community
- KasiaPoland
We did exactly this in 21 m² in Warsaw. The thing that made it work was height, not floor space — two shelves and a cat tree by the window. Give it a slow introduction over two weeks and separate feeding spots. Ours nap on the same shelf now.
- R.Mexico
Honest counter-experience: I tried it and one of my cats was clearly unhappy. She wanted to be an only cat. It is not a failure if it does not suit them — I found her a home with a friend and both cats are better off. Temperament matters more than square metres.
- YukiJapan
Two cats, 18 m², Tokyo, four years. Litter logistics were the real problem, not space. Two trays, one by the door and one in the bathroom, emptied twice a day. Nobody warns you about that part.
- Eva-AliceGermany
The biggest challenge in a studio is the introduction. The newcomer initially needs a separate transition area—perhaps the bathroom or a secure temporary partition—with their own litter tray, food, water, bed, hiding place and perch. Introductions should progress gradually through scent swapping, interaction through a closed door, brief visual contact and finally supervised meetings. This may take several weeks or longer.
The Feline Veterinary Medical Association’s guidance explains that the cats should set the pace. [Read the full guide here.](https://catfriendly.com/be-a-cat-friendly-caregiver/adopting-a-cat/introducing-a-cat/)
- AlinaGermany
Hi Ines, I’d plan the introduction before deciding to adopt: where could the new cat stay separately at first, and where would you put their food, resting spots and litter trays? The replies show that a small studio can work, but also that some cats prefer living alone. Your current cat’s temperament would guide my decision more than the floor area.