Welcoming a new cat into your family is such an exciting time, but it can also be a little nerve-wracking, especially if you already have another feline resident. Cats are territorial by nature and don’t always take to other cats warmly. With patience, planning and a better understanding of their behaviour, you can help your cats develop a peaceful relationship.
There are many multi-cat households that struggle to keep the peace, but equally others can thrive, so let’s see how you can make the biggest difference in creating cat harmony at home.
Understanding why cats can clash
Cats are completely different to dogs; they are not naturally sociable animals. Where dogs have a tendency to form packs (like their wolf ancestors), cats are solitary creatures and most prefer to rule their domain alone. That said, some cats will appreciate companionship too, so don’t lose hope. Many factors can affect a cat’s affinity for socialising, including temperament, past experience and how introductions are handled.
Thinking about a new cat?
It’s vital to think about whether your existing cat is one that would enjoy company in the first place. Although we can try to encourage positive relationships, some cats just don’t want to make friends with others and it’s important to recognise that this might be a possibility before getting started. If your cat doesn’t enjoy affection or attention and prefers to spend the majority of their time alone, it may not be the best idea to thrust another cat into their life. An older, sedentary cat is unlikely to be happy with an energetic young kitten chasing their tail!
For the best chance of getting multiple cats to live together happily, it’s a good thing to have plenty of space at home (that can be sectioned off) with enough resources to cater for all of them as individuals. This will likely involve spending some money on additional supplies, so you should take this into account before bringing a new feline friend home.
Cats are most protective of their resources, so to start, make sure there is one of everything for every cat, and then a spare
Think water and food bowls, eating areas, litter trays, sleeping spots or beds. For example, if you have two cats, you should have three food bowls, three litter trays, three beds etc. Space them out throughout your home so your cat doesn’t feel threatened that theirs will be taken by another.
Other things that can improve the chances of cats getting along
- Neutering (castrating or spaying) – having cats neutered makes them less likely to be territorial (while also avoiding unwanted pregnancies)
- Pheromones – chemical messages that send signals to cats that make them feel safe, these can come in the form of plug-in diffusers or sprays
- Family connection – if you are thinking of getting more than one cat at once, then littermates are more likely to get along than unrelated cats
Cat body language
Interpreting your cat’s body language is your best way to gauge how they feel about one another. Some animals may eventually accept living with another, but if they purposefully avoid the other(s) then this is a sign that they are only tolerating as opposed to enjoying it.
Signs that your cats are not happy include:
- Hissing, growling or staring at one another
- Fighting
- Avoiding spending time together
- Blocking or being fearful of using their resources
- Developing health issues potentially linked to stress (such as overgrooming or urinary problems)
On the other hand, signs of happy cats include:
- Deliberately spending time together
- Playing together
- Physical touch – rubbing up against one another, grooming each other
- Sleeping near or next to each other
Introducing cats
The key thing to remember when introducing cats is to take it slowly. Building up exposure gradually is essential to avoid stress. If you’ve brought a new cat into your home, give them their own space that can be shut off from the rest of the house to begin with, and place all of their resources there. For example, a spare room that has:
- A litter tray
- Food and water bowls
- Cosy bed/hiding place or cat tree
- Toys and a scratching post
This will give them a space they feel safe in and can eventually start exploring from when they have adjusted to their new surroundings.
Scent swapping
Cats rely heavily on scent to gain information about their surroundings and others. Before you introduce any other form of contact, start introducing the scent of your cats to one another so they become more comfortable with the idea of a new feline friend.
You can try:
- Gently wiping a cloth over one cat’s head and cheeks then introducing it to the other, leaving it in the middle of a room is great as it gives them the choice to investigate it by themselves
- Swap blankets, bedding and toys between them
- Stroke one cat and then the other immediately afterwards
Visual introductions
When they no longer show a reaction to the other’s scent, you can try allowing your cats to see each other. Using a glass door for this is ideal as the cats can see but not access one another, and have the option to avoid the situation if they wish. You can then start to use smaller barriers like mesh or a baby gate so they are able to get closer if they want to.
Physical meetings
Once both cats seem relaxed during visual sessions, you can introduce supervised face-to-face meetings. It’s a good idea to use a more ‘neutral’ space where they are likely to feel less defensive or threatened, like a hallway or living room. Make sure there are hiding places (the higher-up, the better) and easy exits so that neither cat feels overwhelmed and can choose to bow out if they need. Keep these meetings short to start with and never try to force interaction. If you notice behaviours that suggest it’s becoming stressful, separate the cats safely, give them time to cool off and try again later or the next day.
Maintaining harmony at home
Hopefully after repeating the steps above, over time you will have cats that feel comfortable sharing a space together. Don’t forget that just like humans, cat relationships can alter and may come under pressure from time to time (especially if there are changes at home). You can help to continue supporting their relationship by:
- Continuing to provide multiple resources – this prevents competition and stress.
- Playing with both cats regularly – play is a great stress-busting exercise for cats and can help burn energy and build confidence. Make sure no one gets left out!
- Splitting attention and affection equally.
- Look out for signs of cat bullying (blocking resources, physical aggression, one cat always retreating) and signs of stress.
Remember that patience is key. Cats are independent animals and will build relationships at their own pace. They may not end up the best of friends, but just learn to co-exist peacefully. Every cat and every relationship is different, so don’t put pressure on them or yourself and seek help from your vet if things get tricky.
When to seek help
If things haven’t gone to plan, and you have stressed, unhappy cats on your hands, it’s time to seek help. Your vet will be able to rule out any underlying medical conditions that might be causing anxiety or aggression. For example, pain or hormonal conditions can alter a cat’s behaviour and make them more irritable. Your vet or vet nurse may be able to guide you further on changes you can make at home to try and reduce tensions. Alternatively, they may refer you to a qualified clinical animal behaviourist who can create a tailored plan specific to your cats’ personalities and home setup.
Certain supplements, medication or pheromone diffusers can aid in introductions and maintaining harmony but should be used alongside, not instead of, behaviour management.
Building trust and respect
Helping your cats get along is about more than just preventing fights; it’s about building a strong foundation of respect and calm in the home. Creating a peaceful bond between independent animals is not an easy feat! Patience, observation and empathy are your best tools. Allow your cats to move at their own pace and celebrate progress, no matter how small. Watching two cats learn to trust and even enjoy each other’s company is not only super cute, but incredibly rewarding.
Discussion