Cats are territorial creatures. Although they can develop close bonds, most cats are initially wary and distrustful towards other cats. In some cases, cats can develop trust and feel safe around each other on their own, but in other cases, feelings of distrust or fear intensify over time. Cats usually don’t work things out when they feel distrustful and/or fearful of each other; instead, owners must take proactive measures to resolve this situation.
What behavior issues can arise when cats don’t get along?
- Active bullying, which can affect the bullied cat’s quality of life (e.g., eating less, withdrawing, over-grooming from the stress and other medical issues).
- Inappropriate elimination in the home (either spray marking or avoiding the litter box by a bullied cat) .
- Active fighting among the cats.
Introducing Cats to Help Them Get Along
Step 1: Isolation
Isolate the cats from each other for as long as needed. The longer they are
isolated from each other, the more likely you’ll have success in the next
steps. Ensure that they are all getting plenty of attention and playtime. You
could alternate the areas in which they are confined so that they get used to
being in all areas of the home without the other cat(s) present. Switch their
bedding so they get used to each other’s smells. Do not move on to any further
steps until all the cats are showing calm, relaxed behavior.
Step 2: Positive Associations
Try this activity when the cats are likely to be hungry. Secure a sturdy
baby gate, one that is three to four feet high, in the doorway of the room
where one cat is separated. Cover the baby gate with a sheet so the cats can’t
see each other. Be prepared with highly valued treats or food that you know the
cats really love.
Remove the sheet for a moment or two until the cats see each other. In a
happy voice, say “Good girls!” and toss them all a treat, and then cover the baby gate with the
sheet. This is easier to do ifthere is a second person, but a single person can do it. Repeat this
activity five to 10 times in a row a few times a day. If you see that the cats
are not reacting to the presence of the other cat(s) and are eating the treats,
you can gradually increase the amount of time that they see each other.
Once this process is going well, start giving the cats their meals on
opposite sides of the gate. You can give them more frequent but smaller meals
each day so that you have more opportunities for this activity. Start by
feeding them at a distance from each other; if this goes well (if they focus on
eating their food and not on each other), reduce the space between their food
dishes. Always monitor them during this time. The point of stage two is to get
the cats to associate each other with good things (treats and food) so they
don’t go into attack or flight mode.
Step 3: Play
When step two is going well, you can begin to play with the cats at the
same time. The best type of toy for this is the fishing rod toy, which has a rod, a three-foot
string and two feathers attached to the string. You don’t want the cats to use the same toy, so have one toy
in each hand or ask someone else to assist you. First, play with them while you stand next to
the gate so the cats are near each other but still separated. Keep the play sessions short. Always
stop the play on a good note (before there are any negative interactions) and reward the cats with
a treat. If things are going well, gradually increase the amount of time you
play with them. After some time, if the cats enjoy the play and do not react
negatively to each other, you can begin to play with the cats, still using two
toys, without the gate in the way.
Step 4: Supervised Time
By step four, the cats are able to eat and play near each other in peace.
At this point, you can give them supervised time together without a barrier. During this time you
must be vigilant; at the slightest indication of potential bullying (stalking or hard-staring),
you should distract and redirect the cats by showing them the fishing rod toy or some other toy or
treats that you know will effectively distract them. This is crucial; you must be prepared to
distract and redirect any potential aggression. Continue to play with the cats and end their time
together on a good note by giving treats. Gradually extend the amount of time that you allow the
cats to be in the same area under close supervision. It will likely take some time to get to the
point where the cats can be unsupervised, but it’s well worth going slow with the introduction or
reintroduction.
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