Plan A: The First Step In Ensuring Your Cats Comfort Is By Providing Enough Resources To Go Around Thereby Eliminating The Need For Competition
- Place multiple feeding stations and litter boxes around
- the house.
- Provide both cats with adequate playtime. If your cats prefer to play separately, ensure they get individual playtime.
- Provide multiple cat trees and perches. The cat on the higher end of the totem pole is more likely to hog the loftiest spot. By providing more resting spots, youll help reduce the tension between them.
- Reward positive interactions of any kind between themfrom acknowledging each other to initiating friendly playby tossing treats and praising effusively. The more they associate positive experiences with each other, the less likely theyll be to turn on each other.
If your cats continue to be mortal enemies despite all the above efforts, dont beat yourself up. Cats, just like people, have preferences about the company they keep. Before you throw in the towel, there is one more thing you could try to get your cats like each other, outside of engaging a professional animal behaviourist.
Dogs From Wolf To Woof
Canis familiaris. The name says it all – familiaris – Man’s Best Friend. Archaeological evidence points to the fact that dogs evolved in the company of man as a social species. They shared the same habitat and hunted the same prey. Whether man adopted orphaned wolf cubs or wild dogs chose to stay close to human settlements to take advantage of the “leftovers,” modern dogs are the result of their ancestors’ ability to accept food and eat in the presence of humans. The consequent close ties between people and their pups are the result of the commonalities between them.
Update: All Of The Workworks
So where are we at now? After weeks of keeping the two separated we finally re-introduced them slowly and we are really hopeful that life may go back to normal. Brief engagements of course, but after increasing their mental stimulation with cat toys while in the same room, we began to see a real difference in their behavior. So, what we believe happened after six weeks was the combination of several key factors in their turnaround.
First creating a calm home is always difficult with two young kids, but there seemed to be a marked improvement in their demeanor when we used pheromones . We also had them separated in the house and switched them out twice a day , so that they would experience the other’s scent.
We also wanted to make sure there wasn’t a health concern. So we had our veterinarian do a urinalysis on both and while Rajah’s tests came back clean, Zsa Zsa had formed some urine crystals and was put on antibiotics for a suspected urinary tract infection. Lastly, the most important step in eventually reuniting the siblings was the mental stimulation. I don’t believe that boredom lead to their misunderstanding, but I do think getting them new toys helped stimulate their physical and mental muscles and created a safe space for them to interact.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, because cats don’t just immediately forget that hostility, but it’s amazing that these two can be in the same room without hissing and going feral on each other!
How Do I Get My Cats To Like Each Other
In order to get your cats to like each other, start with a proper introduction. This includes four steps outlined below. After that, or if the cats have already been introduced, there are some tips you can try to help them get along. It might take some time, but if you’re patient and persistent, your cats can most likely learn to be friends.
What To Do When Your Cats Just Won’t Get Along
Cats0
You adopted two cats, thinking that theyd make nice companions for each other when youre sleeping or not at home. Perhaps you had one cat for a while before adopting the other, or you adopted two at the same time. But now that they share the same space, your beloved kitties are at each others throats!
Not all cats are made to get along, and fighting is quite common in multi-cat households. Unfortunately, constant fights can lead to chronic stress for one or both your cats, not to mention a range of potential injuries! Even after the smoothest of new kitty transitions and introductions, theres no guarantee that your cats will ever get along.
So, what are you to do? Here are some tips for restoring peace in your multi-cat household.
After The Introductions Have Been Made
Whether you just introduced a new cat or you’re trying to get two cats you’ve had for a while to get along, here are some tips that might help:
- Cats Like Their Own Spaces And Their Own Stuff: Try having two of everything including food and water bowls, litter boxes , beds, etc… If they have their own, they won’t have to fight over them. Also, don’t force them to be in the same space. Let them come and go and be sure that each has a favorite comfy spot where they can steal away for a catnap.
- Ease Congestion: Are there spaces in your home where your cats tend to bump into each other and get into a tiff? If so, add kitty walkways or tubes along the walls to avoid that situation.
- Lots Of Playtime: Spend time playing with your cats to burn off energy and relieve stress. Playtime should be separate until they are getting along and then you can play with both cats together.Some cats take monthsor even longerto warm up to each other, so be patient. Even if they’ll never be best friends, most cats will at least learn to tolerate each other.
Method 1 Of 3:getting 2 Cats To Like Each Other
How Can I Tell If My Cats’ Fighting Is Serious
Many cats will enjoy play fighting and will chase each other, roll around and bat each other with their paws.
The key difference between play fighting and real fighting with cats is noise. Play fighting is usually silent, with plenty of pauses as each cat repositions themselves. Any biting is gentle and doesnt cause injury or pain and claws are usually retracted.
Play fighting can, on occasions, escalate and if your cats start hissing or screeching this may indicate that one of them is getting a little too rough.
When play fighting, both cats will also go back to normal afterwards with no obvious tension between them.
If your cats are fighting every time they see each other for example, this is an obvious issue, but some other signs of real fighting might be harder to spot.
If cats are fighting or are tense around each other this can be very distressing. Distressed cats might develop physical symptoms such as bladder problems, or behavioural ones like going to the toilet in the house. Its not always easy to tell if your cat is distressed as they are very good at hiding their feelings, so its always best to keep a close eye out for any changes in behaviour and seek advice from your vet.
Why Are My Cats Fighting
Your cats might fight for a few different reasons. For example, if one cat has just come from a stay at somewhere like the vet, which may have a distinctive smell, they will smell unfamiliar and possibly a bit scary to your other cats. Cats communicate predominantly using their sense of smell, and groups of cats create a familiar communal scent that helps to bond them. If one cat comes back smelling unfamiliar this can unsettle other cats in the house. To try and avoid this kind of fighting, it can be a good idea to keep the returning cat in a separate room for a few hours, or overnight when you bring them home to allow them to groom and re-establish the familiar scent.
Sometimes aggressive behaviour can be nothing to do with your other cat. The instinct to fight could be triggered by something completely separate, like seeing another cat through the window, at which point one of your cats might mistakenly attack the closest cat to them.
This can damage the relationship between cats who live together, so if separating them for a period of 24-48 hours doesnt solve things its a good idea to ask your vet for advice and potentially look to work with a cat behaviourist.
Step 3: Relaxed First Meeting
Ideally, you should make the initial introductions with your new cat in a large pen, but if this is not possible, have a friend or family member on hand to help. Your friend should open the door to your new cat’s room whilst you are with your existing cat in another room or some distance away. Watch the cats to see how they interact and if all is calm, reward them with a tasty treat.
As time goes on, each cat will begin to adjust to the other. Any forcing or rushing on your part will only make the situation more stressful and the settling in process will be prolonged. Some cats become best friends and others will merely learn to tolerate each other.
If you feel that your cats are not getting on, thenget in touch with usfor further advice.
How To Encourage Multiple Cats To Get Along With Each Other
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 197,866 times.
Do you have cats that dont seem to like each other or fight every time they are in the same room together? Cats a territorial and solitary creatures by nature, and may not take kindly to a new cat in their living space. But with a few adjustments to your cats living environment and tips on how to deal with any conflicts or skirmishes appropriately, your felines should grow to be friends or at least tolerable to one another, over time.
Method 3 Of 3:getting A Dog And A Cat To Like Each Other
How To Make A Cat And Dog Get Along
This article was co-authored by Dominik Feichtner. Dominik Feichtner is a Professional Dog Trainer and Behaviorist and the Owner of The Dog Behaviorist NYC out of New York, New York. With over eight years of experience working with dogs, Dominik specializes in general obedience, behavior modification, and puppy training. His commitment to a balanced, common-sense approach led to his recognition as one of the Best Dog Trainers in Brooklyn and one of the Best Dog Trainers in NYC by Pooch and Harmony in 2020.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 25 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 935,565 times.
Thinking of getting a dog but afraid your cat won’t like it? Have a cat and a dog but the two just won’t stop fighting? While many cats and dogs don’t get along right off the bat, there are ways to help them adjust to living with each other. By taking your time and understanding what both of your pets need, you can create a happy, peaceful home with both a cat and a dog.
Cats Don’t Get Along After Surgery Or Vet Visit
Its common for cats in the home to act differently toward a cat that has returned from a vet visit. Cats communicate and share a common scent when they spend time together under the same roof. When a cat comes back from a visit to the vet where he has been handled by strangers or treated with medicine that smells funny, he is covered in a “new” scent that the cats at home find strange. This causes them to react to the cat that was at the vet as if it were a stranger. Hissing, growling, tail puffing, swatting, or even fights are possible reactions.
Fortunately, this usually resolves itself within a day or two once the vet office smell wears off, and the cats return to their normal routine.
Solution:
- Try to schedule vet visits for each of your felines at the same time.
- If that’s not possible, separate the cat returning from the vet by putting him in a separate room for at least half a day. This gives him time to groom himself and remove the “offensive” smell from his body.
- Use a hand towel to rub your cats. Then rub this towel on the cat returning from the vet to reintroduce the communal scent that everyone is familiar with.
- You can also rub a strong smell on all of your cats so they all smell alike. Try rubbing your hands with water from canned tuna and stroking all of your cats. This way, they will all smell the same. The tuna scent will even encourage them to groom themselves and each other, which is a great way for them to re-establish their family bond.
How To Help Cats Become Friends
This article was co-authored by Francine Miller. Francine Miller is an Applied Animal Behavior Counselor and Founder of Call Ms Behaving, a behavior counseling service for dogs and cats in San Diego, California. With over 16 years of experience, Francine specializes in treating behavior problems such as aggression, separation anxiety, phobias, fear reactions, destructiveness, urine marking, and compulsive behaviors. She uses a behavioral management and modification plan that is positive reinforcement only. She holds a Diploma in Canine Behavior Counseling from the American College of Applied Science . Francine has completed all coursework toward an MS in Applied Animal Behavior Science and Family Counseling for Companion Animals from the American College of Applied Science . She is a certified Associate of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and a member of the Pet Professional Guild.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 150,365 times.
A New Cat Is Not Getting Along With Current Cat In The Household
Bringing a new cat or kitten into the home when you already have one or more cats can upset the current hierarchy within the household. A proper, slow introduction will help ease the adjustment. Below is an introduction technique to try even if your cats have already met and spent time together.
Most Cats Learn To Accept Each Other
Its possible that some cats may never quite get along, but usually they will learn to accept each other if you try some of the ideas mentioned above. It takes time and patience in some cases, but you should see at least some improvement.
With a little effort on our part, most conflicts can be resolved or at least reduced to the point where the cats learn to tolerate each other without resorting to serious fights.
I hope these tips have been useful to you, and I hope your cats will soon learn to enjoy each others company.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Part 2 Of 4:making The Initial Face
Why Do Cats Fight
Cats usually display social standing with posturing and “bluffing” communication that doesn’t result in injuries. If they get along, they can usually learn to tolerate or avoid each other as well. However, this likely won’t always be the case and fights may break out.
Cat-on-cat fights are usually the result of redirected aggression, play aggression, or fear aggression:
Problem 3: Bjorns Feisty Attitude Bothers Avery
Bjorns a pretty chill cat most of the time, but every so often, his inner wilder beast comes out and hes a maniac. Not quite like Jekyll and Hyde, hes more like Stitch after vs Experiment 626 before in the movie Lilo and Stitch. He sort of goes all weapon-of-mass-destruction around food, toys, and anything that gets him real excitable. And the way he walks is pretty quick, he hasnt got much of an understanding of personal space basically for a very low-key cat like Avery, Bjorn can be way too energetic, and maybe a little nuts.
Solutions: Trained Bjorn to be calmer around food; fed two cats snacks together.
I started to train Avery and Bjorn to sit together, and this helped a lot with calming Bjorn down and showing Avery he could improve his feisty attitude. I detailed how I did that fully here, but basically that, in combination with the use of slow feeder toys, and honestly the introduction of the timed feeder , makes Avery a happy boy since he doesnt have to deal with a wildling version of Bjorn all that often anymore.
Have a cat who often gets hyperactive, and an aggressor cat who hates it? Figure out how easy it would be to calm the hyperactive kitty down, or separate the cats for playtime and/or feeding until theyve got a more healthy relationship between them.
Things To Consider Before Getting A New Dog Or Cat
If you already have a pet, whether its a dog or a cat, its important to think about how any potential new pets will interact with those already in your home.
Before you add a new pet to your household, take into consideration their age, breed and past experiences, Molloy told The Dodo. This can affect your choice of new pet, which in turn can make the friendship more likely to succeed. If you’re adopting from a shelter, look for a dog who has lived harmoniously with a cat before .
Puppies and kittens tend to do well with new environments and experiences, but that can also depend on their temperament and what theyve been exposed to in the past, Molloy said. For example, has your puppy been around other types of animals, or has she only been around your family ?
And while personality always matters much more than breed, its worth noting that certain types of dogs are less friendly toward cats on average.
Breed-wise, some working lines, such as herding, hunting or protection dogs, are more likely to display undesirable behavior toward a cat and see them as something to be herded or hunted, Molloy said.
This doesnt mean that, for example, a husky cant be friends with a cat, but you should pay close attention to each animals individual temperament before moving forward with a new adoption.
These are all important things to think about when deciding if your pet will do well with another animal.