So you've decided there's room enough in your heart and home for a second cat. Before you're calling "Here, Kitty, Kitty" though, it's important to think through and plan for the changes to your household.

We interviewed two of Best Friends cat experts for their suggestions on how to ease the transition for everyone involved.

Consider carefully
Cats are a highly-territorial, solitary species, and do not require a "pack" or social hierarchy. They can live in groups, but they don't need to.

Cats, especially indoor cats, may become extremely anxious if they believe their territory has been invaded. Don't assume a second pet will help alleviate boredom or behavior problems in your resident cat, either. If neither cat has been adequately socialized, or reared around other cats, they may become nervous or aggressive toward one another.

"It all depends on your resident cat's age, sex and personality," says Susan Henke, manager of the Best Friends Pet Resort in Oklahoma City. "You need to evaluate, understand and respect his temperament and behavioral traits. Does he run away from -- or run towards -- strangers in your home? Is the cat traumatized by anything new introduced into the home? If so, a second cat may not be in his best interest - or yours."

Prepare
Having a second cat requires additional time and expenses on your part.

• Be sure your new cat has been thoroughly checked and vaccinated by a veterinarian. Your resident cat should be up-to-date with his vaccines as well.

• Purchase separate food, water, litter boxes, toys and bedding for the new cat.

• Devote some extra time and attention to your resident cat, so he feels secure when you bring the new cat home. Always feed the resident cat first.

Ideally, Henke says, your cat's new companion should be a different age, sex and size. In general, kittens are easier to introduce than older cats, unless your current cat is a senior citizen, who may not enjoy the playfulness of a kitten. Try to match and complement their personalities.

Getting to know each other
The keys to a successful relationship between the resident cat and the new member of the household are time and patience. Introducing a new cat to a resident cat must be a slow, methodical process, with plenty of attention given to each one.

• Bring the new cat home in a carrier, and keep her confined to a separate room for a few days. This allows her to become acquainted with her new environment, and secure with her territory. Spend time bonding with her and teaching her appropriate behaviors.

• After a few days, allow the cats to familiarize themselves with each other. Smell is the most essential element at this point, so introduce a piece of each other's bedding to the cats each day. As an extra step, Henke suggests placing small bowls of tuna on each side of a door, opening the door just a crack, and letting the cats equate a positive feeding experience to the scent of one another. If neither one is obviously agitated by the other's scent, open the door a little more each day.

• When you think it's finally time for your pets to meet, expect ambivalence. First encounters may even seem hostile, with plenty of hissing. Both cats will probably retreat to their own rooms, but eventually they'll become accustomed to the other's presence, tolerate and accept them.

If the cats are clearly exhibiting signs of the stress, Jessica Horvath of Best Friends Stewards Pet Resort in Chadds Ford, suggests purchasing a collar with a bell for the more aggressive cat as a warning signal for the other cat.

Horvath says engaging the cats in play together can help break down barriers. "Catnip toys are ideal for this," she advises. These items, along with many fun feline toys, can be found at your local Best Friends Pet Resort.

Above all, be realistic. Don't expect your cats to be best buddies. With time, patience, and plenty of love, they can co-exist peacefully, and you'll be purring with delight.