How can I provide separate hiding places for two cats?

Offer separate hiding spaces in locations that cats can reach without passing one another at close range. Different rooms can work well, but the practical route matters more than the number of walls between them. A den at the end of a narrow passage may be easy for another cat to guard. Check that each hideaway has enough internal room and an opening suited to the intended cat.

Some cats settle in a covered bed, while others prefer a sturdy box or a quiet sheltered area with familiar bedding. Keep the retreat accessible during the hours the cat normally uses it, including when doors are closed at night. Let the cat leave voluntarily and discourage people from reaching inside to stroke it. If one animal persistently watches or interrupts another's hiding place, move or add an alternative rather than treating the withdrawal as a successful shared arrangement.

Stand at each hideaway and trace the route to food, water and a litter tray. If every route passes the other cat’s favourite doorway, moving the retreat alone may not resolve the access problem elsewhere in the home.