The coexistence between cats is not always positive, since there are many cases of cats fighting, hissing or not accept in any way. For this reason, before introducing a second cat at home, it will be essential to prepare the home, inform us about feline behavior and make a good presentation.
In this new article on our site we will show you the keys so you know how to make two cats get along, however, in the most serious cases, the intervention of a specialist will be necessary.
Understanding cat behavior
Cats are not a gregarious species, contrary to what many people believe, but are solitary animals that keep social behaviors only during the mating season. This does not mean that they cannot socialize positively with other members of the same species, however, their way of feeding or hunting reveals evident characteristics about their behavior independent
They are also very territorial animals, as they behave defensively when new individuals arrive in their area, which is why which the introduction of a new cat can be somewhat complicated.
In order to determine whether or not our cat will accept the new member, it will be essential to ensure that it has experienced a good period of socialization with other felines (between the second and seventh week of life), since If not, it is likely that he will not understand the cat's body language and will engage in aggressive behavior, primarily caused by fear.
Furthermore, some cats that have been properly socialized are not receptive to accepting a new cat at home. It can occur in cats that have not been socialized with other cats for years, in older cats that receive a kitten, or in cats that have he alth problems.
As owners we must be aware that the introduction of a new cat in the home will cause a lack of stability, which can cause coexistence problemsIn this case it may be necessary to visit a ethologist or feline behavior specialist.
Preparing the home for the arrival of the second cat
While cats tend to be less competitive with respect to resources than dogs, it will be essential to ensure that each individual has their own accessories so that there is no conflict for this reason.
Ideally, each feline should have its own particular utensils and, in addition, be able to access one extra This applies to practically anything: feeder, drinker, scratching post, bed, nest, litter box, toys… In addition, we offer you some extra tips so you know how to distribute them:
- The sandboxes: they must be located in an isolated and quiet area, so that the cats can relieve themselves without frights. They tend to prefer open trays, although that causes them to dirty more. However, what is really important is that it is a minimally large litter tray.
- Drinkers and feeders: to encourage the typical movement behavior of cats, it will be positive to place them in different points of the home, always well away of the sandboxes. For greater acceptance we can bet on large drinkers or water sources.
- Rest Places: While it is important to place a bed or nest in a busy area of the home, so the cat can rest next to us, it will also be essential to place others in quieter areas, thus ensuring a good rest.
- Synthetic pheromones: to promote well-being and avoid stress, we recommend the use of synthetic pheromones for cats, specifically those that have studies scientists who endorse them. It will be very positive to have a diffuser before the arrival of the new cat.
- Catwalks and towers: It is important for cats to have a place to flee and take refuge when they are not comfortable, for this reason it is so important to place catwalks, shelves and different structures.
- Scratchers: Nail marking is an innate behavior in cats, which also helps them sharpen their claws properly. We must have several scrapers so that they can mark with ease.
- Toys and accessories: finally, it will be very important for cats to have toys and accessories within their reach, which will not only enrich their environment, but also help them stay fit and avoid stress levels. Ideally, rotate regularly.
If you want to know more about home layout and essential accessories, don't hesitate to visit our article on how to prepare for the arrival of a cat at home.
How to properly introduce two cats?
Once we have clear everything we need for proper coexistence between cats, it's time for the presentations. It is important to note that prior to introduction, we will place the newcomer in a separate room for a few days so that a sudden encounter does not occur.
The objective is that, during this time, the cat that already lives in the home is aware that there is a new individual and begins to recognize its smellthrough the cracks in the door. In the temporary room, the new cat should have everything it needs: litter box, water bowl, feeder… It is likely that the first few days you will hear how your cats snort , no However, it is important that you do not suppress it, it is totally normal.
How to bring two cats together without fighting?
It is impossible to guarantee the success of the first meeting, however, there are some tricks that can make the introduction between two cats as positive as possible:
- Make sure that both cats have places to take refuge: shelves, surfaces, structures for cats… Remember that it is important that they can flee if they feel threatened. However, in the first encounter we should not place nests, carriers or closed areas, since a fight inside this type of habitat could be very dangerous.
- Locate at the meeting point cat treats, moist pâté or any other tasty food, in this way they will be able to associate the presence of a new cat with large doses of food, something very positive.
- Don't force the situation. If they don't want to get close to each other, we will allow it, because it is essential that they feel free to interact at all times, everything must be natural and progressive.
- Reinforce your cats with a soft, high-pitched voice when the first encounter occurs, calling them by name and using regular reinforcements, such as a " very well ", to make them appear calmer. Be sure to reinforce them in a loving way if they happen to sniff or rub against each other.
- Do not overstimulate the environment with shouts, music, toys… Aside from food and voice, which act as positive reinforcement, there should be no other elements that distract the cat or that could cause generalized stress.
Finally add that it might be interesting to use kitchen gloves during the first encounter in case we had to act in case of a fight. Although it is unlikely to happen, it is best to be prepared.
How do you know if two cats get along?
It is totally normal that during the first days of cohabitation snorting and running around occur throughout the home and, in the best of In some cases, the cats will be tolerant towards each other. Once again, we must respect their communication and not intervene, since it is they themselves who must learn to communicate and establish their role within the home. In addition, punishing or frightening animals when they are intolerant can make the situation worse, generating a negative association between both cats.
As the days go by tolerance increases and then we can know that two cats get along when they start to show certain intimate behaviors, such as sleeping together or licking each other Both behaviors are very positive and reveal not only tolerance, but also affection towards the other animal.
Coexistence problems between cats
It may happen that, despite making a good presentation, cats do not get along and start showing negative behaviors towards each other, such as snorting and scratchingIn these cases it is essential to pay attention to the sounds that cats make and the body postures of felines to better understand their attitude and thus discover the cause of the problem
Here are some behavior problems and some signs that identify them:
- Aggressiveness due to fear: can be caused by deficiencies in the cat's socialization, bad experiences, genetics or trauma. We generally observe the cat with its ears back, a hunched and stooped body, a lowered tail, bristly hair and high-pitched vocalizations.
- Aggressiveness due to pain: it is caused by present or past pathologies that have caused pain in the feline. Generally, he is especially vulnerable when we approach certain areas of his body and maintains an offensive attitude, which includes snorting and slapping when other individuals approach.
- Territorial aggressiveness: It manifests itself during the first days or weeks and generally manifests itself when the new cat enters certain areas of the home. It is temporary and behaviors related to marking are also usually observed, either in the form of urine, scratches on household furniture and rubbing.
- Aggressiveness for resource protection: in this case one of the cats is aggressive when the other feline tries to use some resource (litter boxes, water, food…) is rare and we generally observe an offensive position, in which the cat shows a firm body, tense tail and making serpentine movements, etc. In this case we need to add more utensils in the environment to avoid disputes.
Genetics, learning, trauma and many other factors influence the behavior of the feline and cause the appearance of fears and behaviors aggressive. It is not always possible to discover what has been the cause of certain behaviors, especially when we talk about adopted adult cats.
How to improve the relationship between two cats?
The guidelines for working through a possible behavior problem among cats vary completely depending on the diagnosis, the resources available and the prognosis of the case. In addition, it may be necessary to adapt the guidelines depending on the evolution, which is why it is impossible (and inadvisable) to offer a complete generic behavior modification treatment that can be adapted to all cases.
Even so, we offer you 5 basic tips that you can apply to try to improve the relationship between two cats:
1. Use of positive reinforcement
To educate our feline and encourage certain behaviors we can use positive reinforcement, which consists of rewarding desirable behaviors (for example, we pet the cat when it is calm with the other cat) and the negative punishment, which means the end of something positive when a bad behavior occurs (for example, we stop petting the cat when it hisses at the other feline). Both are part of positive education and minimize the risk of the appearance of stress and anxiety. We should apply these techniques whenever possible to foster a good relationship between both cats.
two. Physical and mental stimulation
Stimulation through entertaining games helps keep our felines' minds and bodies active, which favors learning, well-being and the enrichment of their daily lives. It is very important that these exercises are customized according to the cat to not overstimulate him
3. Additional Help
Previously we have already told you that there are products that can generate well-being and relaxation in the cat, such as the use of synthetic pheromones, but There are also other products on the market, such as balanced foods that include the "calm" label or the use of pharmacology prescribed by the veterinarian.
Likewise, remember that your own behavior influences felines, so you should not hesitate to maintain a state of calm and relaxation at all times, acting calmly and thus favoring a relaxed and conducive environment for both cats to become friends.
4. Mistakes to avoid
Unfortunately the Internet is full of articles based on outdated methods or written by people with no training or experience in cat behavior modification. It is very important to avoid certain types of errors, like the ones we show you:
- Scream at cats
- Chasing cats
- Use spray with water
- Punish with newspapers
- Lock up the cats
- Scare cats
5. Specialist visit
If you find yourself facing a complex case or behavior that is difficult to identify, it is best to see a specialist, such as a veterinarian/biologist specialized in ethology or a feline behavior professional. In addition to helping you with the diagnosis, the professional will be able to carry out behavior modification sessions with you and offer you specific and personalized guidelines for your case.
