As any cat lover will attest, having felines around the house makes for a much happier home. However, sometimes it’s not all purrs and biscuit making when multiple cats live under the same roof. As much as we absolutely love our furry felines, we know just as well how quickly everything can go from purrrfectly fine to a full-on catfight. Here’s three tips from The Refined Feline that should help your cats get along (or at least stop attacking each other).
1. First, Introduce Them Properly
Just like humans, cats also need some time to warm up to one another before coexisting peacefully within the same space. When adding a new cat to the mix, create a separate room for the newcomer with their own food, water, cat furniture, litter box, and cat toys. The next day, start getting the cats used to each other’s scents by wiping one cat with a clean towel and then rub the same towel on the other cat’s body. Then, repeat the same process in reverse with another clean towel.
A few days later, the kitties should be meowing and sniffing at the door between them. Moving their food bowls towards the door gradually will help speed up the process if they haven’t gotten there naturally just yet. When they seem comfortable smelling and being close to each other through the closed door you can open it up a few inches to let them fully see and smell each other. Unless the cats react negatively, you can leave the door ajar and allow them to explore and only intervene if you have to.
2. Reduce Any Need for Aggression
Cats are known to be highly territorial. Though they’ll generally get along, any hint that there’s a lack of resources may cause your cats to instinctively get aggressive with your other cats. Even after a slow and successful introduction to the common space, every cat will still need separate food and water, a litter box, a scratcher, and toys. Even just doing this, in the beginning, should help to minimize negative behavior like swatting and hissing which can happen when hungry cats have to share the same bowl.
You’ll want to make sure your cat has many spots to hide and curl up into as well as cat furniture to climb and play on. Cats are hunters by nature and tend to enjoy high places that allow them to observe their surroundings from afar. Giving your feline companions multiple spaces designed specifically for them throughout your house allows them to fulfill their natural curiosity. It’ll engage their hunting instincts while providing adequate space away from everything else. Cat shelves and other types of cat wall furniture are a great way to create room for your cats without having to use any floor space.
3. Don’t Hesitate To Use Pheromones or Medications If Needed
Pet stores sell many different kinds of pheromone products that mimic the feline pheromone that is naturally found in their species. When cats feel safe or content with a person or area, they’ll rub their faces there. This releases pheromones and marks it as something they like and can come back to safely in the future. It can also produce a calming effect in cats and comes in many forms such as diffusers, wipes, collars, and sprays.
If following these strategies doesn’t work, you should consult with your vet for other options. Sometimes, when a cat is in pain it won’t positively socialize with other cats. If a cat has a back problem, for example, it may feel pain when groomed and will lash out when other cats try to groom them. So, if your cat’s aggression continues, reach out to your vet to talk about other ways to help your cats get along.
Help Your Cats Get Along By Following These Tips
While bringing home a new cat is a very exciting time, it’s impossible to gauge how any two cats will get along before they’re introduced. When cats are howling, hissing, and constantly aggressive towards each other it can turn a comfortable home into an anxious one. This can even affect previously developed relationships with other pets. However, if you ensure your cats’ needs are met and try these tips it should minimize ongoing aggression and help keep your furry friends happy and healthy.
