Give the established cat something with the new cat’s scent on it to sleep on. [3] X Expert Source Carrie Seay, MS-CABAC, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KAFeline Behavior Consultant Expert Interview. 1 March 2022. The ideal object is a T shirt with your scent on it that the new cat has sat on. This uses your scent as a “intermediary” and gives the established cat a gentle introduction. It may take a few days for your cats to not freak out or avoid your new cat’s bedding. But over time, they should start to get used to the new scent. As a general rule, it is usually best to introduce a new cat when your existing cat is young. This will allow the two cats to get to know each other over a long period of time and hopefully bond as they grow.
Consider placing the new cat in a cat carrier and placing this on the floor for the existing cat to sniff around and investigate, without the threat of being chased by the new cat. Alternatively, use a baby gate that is at least 36 inches high. Place it in the doorway of the new cat’s room so she stays in her room and does not interact with your existing cat(s). Allow the cats to get a look at each other. Then, praise and reward both of them with a treat if there is no attacking or signs of aggression like hissing. Make sure the cats look at each other five to ten times a row, two to three times a day.
If either cat starts to hiss, growl, or seem uncomfortable, move them out of each other’s sight. Keep the baby gate door closed to the cats cannot interact with each other. Always quit while you’re ahead and don’t force the cats to get along. Patience is key as it may take some time for your cats to accept each other.
If one cat starts to act aggressive, use the fishing rod toy to distract and redirect the cat. However, if both cats display any aggression or tension, separate the cats and return them to their separate spaces. You should never leave the cats alone to play until they seem comfortable and accepting of each other. If the cats play well together, reward them both with treats and praise. It’s important to always reward both cats so they understand they are equal and there is no preferential treatment.
Try to keep the separate litter trays, feeding bowls, and beds for each cat identical so it does not seem like one cat is being favored over the other. Place the feeding bowls a safe distance from each other so your cats can eat in the same room but in separate areas of the room.
You can also place separate scratching posts in doorways or at the top or bottom of the stairs so your cats can learn to play in the same area, but on separate posts.
Make sure the playground has multiple exits so your cats do not feel trapped together or boxed in when playing. [8] X Research source
Avoid yelling at them to stop fighting or displaying open aggression by throwing an object at them. This will create more stress and possibly more fighting down the road. Instead, calmly interrupt the fight. You can try to distract the cats with toys to prevent the fight from starting up again. You should also avoid trying to soothe the cats after they have had a fight. Instead, leave them both alone once they separate and stop fighting. Due to their solitary nature, cats are often best left alone to recover from a conflict.
The spray may not work on all cats to calm them down and it may not stop every conflict from occurring. But it can help to maintain a calm, stress free environment in the living space for both cats.
Some cat owners have found rubbing tuna juice on their cats’ bodies and heads can help to distract the cats from fighting. Your cats may be come so occupied with grooming and licking the tuna juice that they may not pay much attention to each other. In fact, they may start grooming each other to get at the tuna juice and could interact in a more friendly way.
You can also contact a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB) or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist for advice and guidance on how to encourage your cats to get along at home. You can find a list of CAABs here. Keep in mind some cats just aren’t meant to live together in peace. Chronic stress and tension in their living space is not healthy for your cats and could lead to some unhappy cat years. If you have exhausted all of your options, you may want to consider separating the cats permanently by finding a new home for one cat or restricting one cat to a completely separate area of the house. [12] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
