All cat lovers would agree that having cats makes for a much happier home. Sometimes, however, it’s not all head butts and purrs when cats are living under the same roof. We love our cats but we also know how fast your home can go from happy to a total cat fight. Here are 3 ways, from The Refined Feline, to help your cats get along (or stop fighting at least).
- Make Sure Your Cats Get A Proper Introduction
Cats definitely take time to warm up to each other, just like humans, before living peacefully in the same space. When first bringing a new cat home, it’s best to set up a separate room for the new cat with their own food dish and water, litter box, toys, and cat furniture. A day or two later, you can start to get the cats familiar with each other’s smell by wiping one cat with a fresh towel and then rubbing that same towel on your other cat. Next, do the same thing again but in reverse with another fresh towel.
In just a few days you should notice the cats meowing and sniffing at the door that separates them. Slowly move their food bowls closer to the door to help speed up the process if they need a little help. Once they seem comfortable with each other’s smell through the door you can open the door a little bit to let them see and smell each other. As long as the cats react positively, leave the door open so they can explore each other and only separate them if you absolutely have to.
- Give Each Cat Adequate Space And Food To Avoid Aggression
It’s no secret that cats can be highly territorial. While they can definitely be best friends, any time it seems like there’s a lack of resources, your cats may instinctively get aggressive. Even after slowly and successfully introducing your cats, every cat should still have a separate litter box and food area. Even doing this just in the beginning can help reduce negative behaviors like hissing and swatting which can happen when hungry cats share a bowl.
You should offer your cat multiple places to curl up into and hide as well as cat furniture to climb and play on. Cats like to hunt and like high places where they can see their surroundings from. Giving your cats spots just for them around your home will fulfill their natural curiosity. It will engage their instincts while also giving them adequate space of their own. Cat wall shelves, bridges, and cubbies are an awesome way to create a wall of fun just for your cats.
- Pheromones or Medications Can Help Reduce Aggressive Behavior
Many kinds of pheromone products are designed to mimic the feline pheromone and are available in most pet stores. When cats are happy with someone or something, they’ll rub their face on that thing. This action releases their pheromones and marks the spot as something they can safely come back to again in the future. Pheromones also have a calming effect and are available in collars, sprays, diffusers, wipes, and more.
You should talk with your vet & discuss other options if these strategies don’t help. Cats hide pain very well but if a cat is in pain they usually won’t socialize well with other cats. So, if the aggression doesn’t stop soon, definitely talk to your vet about other options to help your cats get along.
Follow These 3 Ways To Help Your Cats Get Along
Adopting a new cat is very exciting but it is impossible to know how cats will get along before they are introduced. Hissing and aggressive behavior can turn a calm home into an unhappy and anxious one. This can even have negative effects on previously developed relationships between pets. However, if you meet your cat’s needs and try out these tips, it can minimize the ongoing aggression and help to keep your pets healthy and happy.
