Although cats are not solitary animals by nature, they are solitary hunters. Cats have flexibility in their social behavior toward other cats. Some cats enjoy and even need the company of other cats. But some cats are content being the only feline in the household. Because cats are solitary hunters, seeking out small prey to survive – they are relatively self-sufficient. They have not evolved to need other cats. This is why it can be hard for them to make friends with other cats. It’s also why it’s so easy for them to walk away from a feline friendship when things go sour.
Of course, many cat lovers want to share their home with more than one cat. Research suggests that at least two-thirds of feline introductions will lead to peaceful coexistence in about a month.* For that other third, the introduction can be rocky, or unsuccessful. Most of our clients come to us seeking help after cats have failed to accept each other during an introduction.
First impressions count: fights between cats early on are a predictor of failure to live together. This is why we encourage a VERY slow, controlled introduction between cats. Often by the time clients come to us, there have been several fights between cats. Worse, the humans are at their wits end.
It is best to keep the new cat in a sanctuary room for several days if not weeks. This gives the cats time to adjust to each other’s sounds and scents. There’s no benefit to rushing things if either or both cats are hissing, growling, fearful, or tense just knowing there’s another cat in the home. Once both cats seem comfortable, you can move forward to a visual introduction. Ideally, cats are exposed to each other through the safety/security of a secure baby gate or screen door.
The cats need to have good experiences when they can see each other – this could include training, grooming, treats, or other enrichment. Because cats are solitary hunters AND eaters, we don’t recommend feeding them their meals within sight of one another. This can stress some cats out and, in our experience, is rarely beneficial. We know that a lot of online guidance suggests this, but it’s not a tool in our toolbox.
Because every home is different, it can be challenging to give one-size-fits-all guidance. Our Inter-Cat Aggression Package gives our clients 3+ hours of our time over the course of approximately two to three months. We will help you:
- with specific training exercises to help your cats be more comfortable together
- determine realistic expectations (integration, long-term management, rehoming, or working with your veterinarian).
- assess your home environment to make sure it’s feline-friendly and optimized for the multi-cat household
We know how stressful a stalled introduction can be – and we’ve gone through them ourselves. Our goal is to help you get to the point where you can take down those baby gates! We want to help give you and your cats the best chance to live together peacefully.
*Reference: Levine, E., Perry, P., Scarlett, J., & Houpt, K. A. (2005). Intercat aggression in households following the introduction of a new cat. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 90(3-4), 325-336.