Do you have several cats who don't like each other or always fight every time they are in the same room? Cats are territorial and aloof by nature and may not like it when a new cat comes into their place. But with some changes to where your cat lives and suggestions for dealing with conflict or contention well, your cats can become friends or at least be able to tolerate each other in the end.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Introducing the Cats Well
Step 1. Allow the cats to sniff each other before meeting
Put the new cat in a separate room so the other cats can smell it through the door. You can use the bathroom if there is no other free space.
- Give new cat-scented items to old cats and let them sleep with them. The ideal object for this would be a t-shirt with your scent on which the new cat has occupied. Your scent acts as a mediator so the old cats can slowly get used to the new cat's scent.
- Old cats may take a few days not to be surprised or to avoid your new cat bed. But over time, they should have started to get used to this new scent.
- It's a good idea to introduce a new cat while the old cat is young. This way, the two cats can get to know each other for quite a while and hopefully bond as they grow.
Step 2. Let the cats observe each other before physically meeting
If you're planning on having a second cat or adding a member to your cat family, it's a good idea to make sure these cats get along well by introducing them well. This means allowing the cats to see each other before touching or interacting with one another.
- Try putting the new cat in the cat cage and placing the cage on the floor so the old cat can sniff and investigate without chasing the new cat.
- Alternatively, use a fence for babies that is at least 100 cm high. Place this fence in the doorway of the new cat room to keep the new cat in the room and not interacting with your old cats.
- Let these cats see each other. Then, compliment and reward them with treats if no one attacks or shows signs of aggression such as hissing.
- Make sure the cats see each other five or ten times in a row, two or three times per day.
Step 3. Pay attention to the body language of the two cats
Before you allow these cats to have physical interaction with one another, you should make sure that they are used to each other through smell and sight. They should appear relaxed and calm when they see each other and feel fine when they are around each other for extended periods of time.
If one of them starts to hiss, growl, or looks uncomfortable, move one of them away from the others. Keep the baby gate closed so the cats can't interact with each other. Always stop before anything happens and don't force the cats to get along with each other. Patience is key because it can take some time before your cats will accept each other
Step 4. Invite them to play together
As your cats become comfortable looking and sniffing each other, you can encourage them to interact. Use rope cat toys to play with them at the same time. It's also a good idea to give them a toy each. This will help the cats to associate playtime with being close to one another.
- If one of the cats starts to act aggressively, use a leash toy to distract him and direct your cat's attention to something else. However, if they both show aggression or tension, separate them and return them to a separate room. Never let cats play alone until they seem comfortable and accepting of each other.
- If the cats play well together, reward them with praise and treats. It is important to always reward these two cats so that they realize that they are equal and that no one is more loved.
Part 2 of 3: Changing Residence
Step 1. Give each cat a different toilet, food bowl, and bed
Giving each cat a litter box, food bowl, and bed will keep them from feeling competitive and reduce stress.
Try to make sure that each cat's litter box, food bowl, and bed look identical so that one doesn't appear to be more loved than the other. Place the food bowls a sufficient distance from each other so they can eat in the same room but in different areas
Step 2. Create a vertical space for each cat
Cat trees, cat shelves, and high perches on furniture can make your cat feel comfortable exploring the room without having to share vertical space. Cats often feel safer when they can observe the situation from a height and when they can move away from other cats or people.
You can place a separate scratching post near a doorway or at the top or bottom of a ladder so your cats can get used to playing in the same area, but using different posts
Step 3. Make a cardboard playground for your cats
Cats love to run around and explore the high perch in the cardboard play area. You can also use paper bags by removing the handles as well as cardboard tunnels to create a fun play area for each cat. Swap these play areas so your cats don't get bored.
Make sure the play area has multiple outlets so your cats don't feel stuck with each other when they play
Step 4. Feed the cat in a different room or a different side of the room
Feeding times can be very stressful and make cats feel competitive. Reduce the stress or anxiety your cat is feeling by giving her cat food in different food bowls placed in different areas of their room.
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with Conflict
Step 1. Stop the fighting by clapping your hands or squirting water from a bottle
Don't let your cats fight to solve the problem. Cats are not very good at resolving problems through fighting and this usually makes the conflict worse. Stop the fighting by clapping your hands loudly or shooting water from a water bottle or water gun.
- Don't yell at them if you want to stop fighting or don't show aggression by throwing objects at them. This will make him more stressed and possibly even more fighting. Try to calmly interrupt the dispute. You can try to distract the cat with a toy to prevent the fight from reoccurring.
- It's also best not to try to calm the cats down after they've had a fight. Instead of doing so, try to leave them together once they've moved away from each other and have stopped fighting. Because of their reclusive nature, it's often best to leave your cats alone to recover from conflict.
Step 2. Use a soothing pheromone spray
Some cat owners use soothing pheromone sprays like Feliway to help with stress levels among their cats. You can also buy this product as a diffuser that plugs in and releases calming pheromones throughout the home.
This spray may not calm the whole cat and may not stop the whole conflict from happening. But this spray can maintain a calm and stress-free environment for both cats
Step 3. Interact and comb them fairly
Often times both feuding cats seek out their owners to help them process the stress and anxiety that comes with having to live with each other. Observe their behavior with you and if you notice signs of stress such as a tense posture, a jerking tail or dilated pupils, try to give each cat equal attention. Do this by playing with both at the same time, using two different sets of toys. You can also brush your cats to give them love and attention. Caress her belly and head, but don't pick her up and carry her. Most cats feel stressed when cuddled and prefer to be petted on the floor.
Some cat owners apply tuna broth to the cat's body and head to distract her from fighting. This can keep your cats so busy combing and licking the tuna broth that they don't pay much attention to each other. They can even start licking each other to get this tuna broth so that they interact in a warmer way
Step 4. Try to consult a vet if your cats keep fighting
Sometimes cats fight because of stress or anxiety caused by a medical condition or problem. Take your cat to the vet for a check-up to see if there's another reason they're fighting.
- If you're in the United States, try contacting a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB) professional or certified veterinarian for advice and guidance to encourage your cats to get along at home. Click here for a list of CAABs.
- Remember that some cats are not meant to live peacefully together. Chronic stress and tension in their habitat is unhealthy for your cat and can make them unhappy. If you've tried everything but it doesn't work, it might be a good idea to separate them permanently by finding a new home for one of them or putting one cat in a completely separate area of the house.
