The question of getting a second cat in the house can arise for many reasons, but the most common is that the pet gets bored when it is often left at home alone. The decision must be made intelligently, taking into account the availability of space, the character and age of the animal. Let's figure out whether a second feline is needed in the house and how to make the right selection.
Does your cat feel good being alone?
Do you feel guilty that your pet has to stay at home all alone? Getting another cat to make it more fun for her to play with seems like a great solution to this situation. It won't be boring for the two of you... But on one condition, if they find mutual understanding! Unfortunately, it rarely happens that the reaction to a new pet is positive, because you are bringing a potential enemy into your cat's territory. The first reaction most often consists of intimidation of the new animal, aggression, even sometimes hitting with a paw - all this is completely not the result that we expect!
At the stage of acquaintance, such behavior is appropriate, but we cannot find out how their relationship will develop in the future - cats can become friends, or they can cause constant discomfort to their neighbor and become a source of suffering for him.
Is it worth going through such an experiment? Important points are the living conditions and the character of the cat itself. Your pet's well-being may not depend at all on the presence of another cat; most often it is based on attachment to the territory and social group. If a cat feels comfortable in an apartment and has a good relationship with its owners, then it may well feel happy alone, without feeling discomfort.
If the cat is kept in a small apartment or studio, then it is not recommended to have a second animal - it will be too crowded for them, constant crossing will cause tension between the cats. Also, peaceful cohabitation depends on the degree of sociability of cats.
A cat that has lived alone in the house all its life is unlikely to welcome its neighbor in a friendly manner. If a cat is traumatized by a hostile attitude, then it will be afraid of another animal in your apartment. And finally, the characteristics and character of the cat, its special relationship with the owner may influence the fact that it does not want to share the territory with another cat.
Two cats of the “same level” often become best friends, get along well, play together and delight their owners.
Remember that the responsibility for the first meeting and subsequent housing of the cats lies entirely with you.
Rules for selecting a partner
When you decide to get a second pet, you should follow the rules that will help the animals get along with each other:
- It will be difficult for an older cat to be near a kitten. The latter will irritate and exhaust an elderly pet.
- If there is a rather timid cat in the house that hides from guests, you should not add an active cat to it. It’s better to choose a calm person who doesn’t care.
- The opposite situation may also occur, when the cat is active and combative, and the new resident is modest and poorly adaptable. In this case, the “mistress” will beat him and will not allow him to adapt to the territory.
- The ideal option is when animals are of the same age with similar character traits.
- It is easy to add a kitten to a cat that has given birth. In most cases, she will accept him peacefully and will take care of him.
- It is safer to house sterile pets together. The option of a non-sterile cat and a neutered cat is better. If it’s the other way around, the cat will irritate the cat with constant pestering.
- Purebred pets must be selected based on the characteristics of the breed.
The process of establishing contact between two pets has its difficulties, but everything is not as bad as it might seem. By following the recommendations presented and paying attention to the character traits of the animals, you will be able to find a new companion for your pet and forever relieve him of boredom in the absence of his owners.
Acquaintance
Open the door and leave it open at all times. At first, the cats will communicate through sounds, each of them should have the opportunity to escape. Your cat may chase your new neighbor, don't worry about this - give them the opportunity to get to know each other on their own. Over time, their quarrels will turn into games. You can relieve the atmosphere by playing with them, throwing a ball, etc. For the first two weeks, you should not remove the kitten’s tray and bowl from the room in which it was originally located. Then place both trays at a sufficient distance from each other. Cats can drink from the same bowl, but food should be in different bowls. The bowls should also be kept at a considerable distance from each other. Adaptation can take place over several days or several weeks - it all depends on the nature of the animals. Treat them with patience!
Two cats in one house: how to avoid conflict?
Content
Should you get a second cat?
You can get a second cat only when the owners lack one animal in the house. If you have free time and enough finances, then why not? But getting a second cat just because the first cat is bored alone is hardly reasonable. Cats are not pack animals, they do not need company (human attention is a separate issue; cats need it no less than dogs). But if the owners have very little free time, the house is empty all day, then you can get a second cat so that the first one does not get bored without communication.
Important:
sometimes, despite the competent behavior of the owner, cats cannot be reconciled with each other. Animals, being in constant stress, begin to get sick (both physically and mentally). In this situation, one of the animals will need to be placed in good hands - the family must be mentally prepared for such a development of events.
Preparing for a second cat
Before a second cat appears in the house, you need to prepare the space by dividing it into several zones. Two cats in the house will get along much faster if they do not collide with each other in the resting, feeding and toilet areas.
Rest
The “new” cat should sleep separately from the “old” one, and preferably in a different room. The place where an old-timer relaxes is taboo for a newcomer. Be sure to prepare a comfortable mattress or house that will be located at some distance from your cat’s “bedroom”. It is advisable that there be a door between the seating areas that will need to be closed at night (at least for the first time).
Feeding
Two cats that don’t know each other well and have not yet established contact will most likely be most aggressive near food bowls. Therefore, the new cat needs to be fed from a separate dish, preferably not in the room where the “old” cat is used to eating. Over time, if the cats get along, the bowls can be moved. Cats need to be fed at the same time so that each is busy with its own bowl and does not try to take food from its rival.
Toilet
Be sure to buy a separate litter box for the “new” cat. The filler in the old tray should be dirty by the time the new one arrives. So the likelihood that the “new” cat will go into a clean litter box is higher (if the second cat soils the litter box first, a conflict may arise; the first cat may compromise cleanliness and start dirtying the corners). Over time, if the cats become friends, you can leave one tray.
The second cat should be placed so as not to disturb the old-timer. For your first cat, everything should remain the same. In no case should she feel violated in her rights due to the appearance of another animal in the house.
Introducing cats to each other
One of the important factors influencing the development of relationships between cats is the moment of acquaintance. Many owners, not knowing how to make two cats friends, make a number of serious mistakes: they push the cats nose to nose, lock them in one room, or immediately separate them into different rooms, without giving the animals the opportunity to communicate. In the first case, a fight will most likely occur. In the second case, a fight is inevitable and, probably, it will be a serious battle with bloodshed, since the animals do not have the opportunity to retreat. In the third case, gradually increasing tension and anxiety, as a rule, again ends in a fight.
So, first, we give both cats a manicure - trim their claws short and file the sharp edges. A new homeowner can have a manicure done at the breeder's house or even at the entrance (if the kitten was brought from the street).
Advice:
It’s great if it’s possible to mix the smells of two animals before the “new” cat arrives in the house. This is easy to do: iron each cat alternately with a dry terry towel. Pay special attention to the genitals, paws and cheeks.
You need to bring your cat into the house in a carrier or in a closed box with holes cut out for viewing. Open all the doors in the apartment so that one of the cats can escape from the attacker if a fight breaks out. But the windows need to be closed. Place the carrier in the hallway and do not take the cat out for a while - let the old-timer sniff the box, get used to the smell, and come to her senses after the first shock.
After a while, open the carrier, but do not take the cat out of it - let her decide when to go out. Some cats immediately go to explore the territory, others may not stick their nose out of the “shelter” for hours - be patient.
When the cat comes out, the old-timer will most likely begin to demonstrate its dominance and defend its territory. The cat will hiss, stare intently at the uninvited guest, fluff up its fur, and “growl” threateningly. The new resident will most likely adopt a “I don’t care” pose and look, averting his eyes and trying not to look at the aggressor. With this behavior, the cat shows that it does not want conflict. Owners should take on the role of observers during this time and not intervene until a serious fight breaks out. Single lunges, paw strikes, pounces are the norm. You shouldn’t get between cats, as you will only delay the moment of sorting out the relationship. And the faster the cats decide who is boss in the house, the faster peace and friendship will come to your family.
If both cats take a threatening pose, growl, and look intently into each other’s eyes, be on the lookout! This means, but neither animal wants to give in, and both are ready to fight. This condition can last for a very long time, even several hours. If it is not possible to observe, separate the cats into different rooms. It is the new resident who needs to be isolated, otherwise the old resident will feel that he has lost part of the territory, and this will anger him even more. By the way, so that your cat doesn’t get lost if it runs away, don’t forget to buy a pet tag.
What to do when cats fight?
If cats rush at each other and immediately jump back, hit each other with their paws, but obviously do not cause wounds (warning blows - a series of short waves of the paw), or chase each other around the apartment - do not interfere, just watch. But when a serious fight breaks out, the cats grapple and roll head over heels on the floor, or one of the cats falls on its back, defending itself from the aggressor with its claws, you need to separate the animals.
Under no circumstances should you separate cats with your hands! In the heat of battle, even the sweetest domestic cat can cling so fiercely to the face of its beloved owner that it is impossible to tear it away (redirected aggression). The most effective way is to pour water on the cats. It is advisable to hit the head. Don't be afraid, even if water gets into your ears, nothing bad will happen. If this does not help, throw a heavy, dense cloth (blanket or sheepskin coat) over the fighters. The sudden darkness will frighten the animals - the cats will press themselves to the floor in surprise. After a few seconds, you can remove the blanket, pick up one of the cats (which will seem less aggressive) and take it to another room. If surprise does not help, and the cats are fighting, not paying attention to the darkness, force will help - take a long stick (for example, a mop) and crucify the cats in the corners. You need to act assertively, but carefully! Cats cannot be hit, they only need to be pushed away from each other.
Fighting cats are temporarily placed in different rooms (for a couple of days), and then the attempt at acquaintance is repeated. And so on until the aggression dries up and the animals begin to treat each other more calmly.
Important:
Be sure to contact a veterinary clinic or call a veterinarian at home if one of the cats was seriously injured in a fight. Treat minor scratches with any antiseptic.
How to make friends with cats?
Two cats in the house is not a bad option. Cats do not often defend their territory unless one of them is currently pregnant or nursing kittens. In nature, cats occupy a small area of land (compared to cats) and react more calmly to the presence of strangers. The situation becomes more complicated if one of the cats has already reached adulthood (about 7 years old) or has been the only pet all its life.
Most often, one of the cats occupies a dominant position, and the other tacitly agrees to the “second role.” A dangerous moment arises when one of the cats goes through the heat period.
Sometimes cats seem to get along well with each other, and then one suddenly kills the newborn kittens of a competitor. By cat standards, this is quite normal behavior. When raising kittens, only their mother can be allowed to see the babies, and the other cat must be isolated. However, if the “not mother” has accepted the kittens, you see that she gently licks them and cleans up their feces, and the mother cat calmly reacts to the presence of the “not mother” in the nest, you don’t have to worry about the kittens.
But how to make friends with adult cats if none of them wants to give up their place as the head of the family? This happens infrequently, but this scenario is the most unfavorable. Cats fight desperately, to the last. In such a situation, it would be wise to sterilize both pets, since it is almost impossible to reconcile cats that hate each other. After sterilization, cats will lose aggression associated with sexual instincts - the chance for normal, calm relationships increases.
cat and cat
Two mature cats in one house are a constant headache, because... These animals very rarely treat each other calmly. In nature, the territory of cats is much larger than the territory of cats, overlapping several habitats of females. The more such areas a cat enters his territory, the more females he fertilizes. Therefore, cats have much stronger territorial claims than cats, because we are no longer just talking about hunting, but about procreation.
Two adult cats can remain neutral for some time, periodically starting violent fights. In such a fight, cats find out which of them is more important and try to remove a competitor from their territory. Passions run high when there is a mating cat nearby. Fights during this period result in serious injuries and sometimes the death of one of the animals. Often cats begin to mark their territory, constantly overlapping each other’s marks - the smell in such an apartment is overwhelming. Therefore, when you decide to get a second cat, immediately prepare for castration of both animals. And it’s better to do this a couple of months before you meet (which, unfortunately, is not always possible).
How to make friends between a cat and a cat?
Animals of different sexes, as a rule, easily get along with each other. In many cases, neutrality develops into friendship and affectionate relationships. However, at first, most likely, the cat will often “educate” the cat - warning blows, hissing, expulsion from the rest area. It is especially important to feed such animals separately - the cat often leaves nothing for the cat, eating all the food simply to prove its leading position. As a result, the cat receives extra calories, and the cat remains hungry.
If we are not talking about breeding producers, one of the animals must be castrated. Cats are quite fertile, the period of “hunting” is not accompanied by discharge (as in dogs), and the cat is very inventive in its desire to get to the female who is in “hunt”. Therefore, simply separating the animals for a time in order to prevent fertilization is unlikely to succeed (either the owner will miss the deadline, or the cat will still get to the female). But even if you put a cat in a cage, the problem is only partially solved - crazy screams and constant marks can unsettle the most patient owner. In addition, the neighbors are unlikely to tolerate round-the-clock yelling, and they will be right. And for animals, it is very difficult to endure such stress - the consequences will certainly affect the health of both pets. We don’t even have to talk about constant pregnancy and childbirth - not a single cat can withstand such stress.
How to make friends between a cat and a kitten?
A cat and a kitten are the best option (unless you take into account the situation when two small kittens grow up together). The cat either immediately accepts the kitten, taking on the role of its mother and teacher, or remains neutral. Cats rarely show open aggression towards kittens. Yes, they can quite rudely confront an annoying fidget, but they don’t carry out serious beatings. However, it is important to consider that a kitten is a baby aged 2-3 months. A six-month-old animal looks like a kitten only to people - for a cat it is already a teenager who can pose a danger, which means that you already need to protect yourself from it with all four paws.
As the baby grows up, the relationship between cat and kitten will reach a new level. The animals will either become very friendly, or one of the cats will take a dominant position (the details are described above: cat and cat, cat and cat, cat and cat).
Cat and kitten
Males are more wary of kittens than cats. In nature, males do not care for their offspring and can even kill other people's kittens. Therefore, the domestic cat will most likely simply ignore the new resident, avoiding contact with him for some time. Then the cat will understand that the kitten does not pose a danger to him and, most likely, friendly relations will arise between the animals.
But open aggression is also possible - this is where you need to be on guard. The cat may rush at the baby and try to strangle him. Therefore, owners, especially at first, should not leave the cat and kitten alone.
After the kitten reaches puberty, animal relationships will develop depending on the gender of the pets.
To figure out how to make friends with cats, the owner must study the psychology of these animals. The better a person understands the motivation for a particular act of a cat, the more effective his actions will be aimed at maintaining neutrality and developing friendly relations between pets. But do not forget that each cat has individual traits and a unique character. It is important to understand your cat, to realize why she acts this way and not otherwise. Cats can be stubborn and self-willed, aggressive and pugnacious - such an animal is very difficult to make friends with a new resident. Other cats have a soft, unquarrelsome character - in this case, even two cats get along well together. And don’t forget that a cat is a proud and independent creature. Do not try to force and punish your pet into becoming a hospitable “hostess” - this approach will lead to the development of even greater aggression towards the “newcomer”. Be persistent but gentle, adamant but affectionate. You should not play the role of a leader - a cat will never recognize a person as the head. Remain a protection, support and loving friend for your tailed stubborn ones.
A chance to do a good deed
Are you still thinking? Then look at the situation from a different point of view, namely from the point of view of the cat who is now sitting in a nursery behind bars. Every year, three and a half million cats end up in catteries around the world, and one and a half million of them end up getting an injection and falling asleep forever. More animals die in nurseries than are taken to new families. Saving one animal won't change the world, but it will change the world of this cat.
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Purchasing a kitten
Buying a small cat is also a good option. A cat that is already in the house will not be afraid of a tiny neighbor. In addition, she is unlikely to sort things out with him. It is best to get a new pet that is no more than three months old. In this case, he will easily adapt not only to the new territory, but also to his adult relative.
At first, close and constant contact between pets should not be allowed. It is advisable to place the kitten in a separate room. You also need to put a food bowl, tray, and toys there. Acquaintance between cats should occur gradually. First, they will begin to communicate with each other through the door. You can do the following:
- pet the animals one by one;
- change their toys and collars (to get used to someone else's smell).
To consolidate an acquaintance, you need to open the door and not close it again. In this case, the small pet will have the opportunity to escape to its territory in case of danger. An adult cat may chase him, but there is no need to worry about this. A little time will pass, and quarrels will be replaced by joint games. You can take part in them using a ball, thread and other objects. The adaptation period can last for:
- A few days.
- Several weeks.
Here a lot depends on the character of the tailed family members. At this time, as well as at other times, it is necessary to treat the behavior of the tailed animals with understanding. It is advisable to be patient and calmly accept their antics.
Planning support
Thus, one can easily understand that cats are social animals, although this has been questioned for quite some time. Lions hunting in prides were considered an exception, but recently scientists have begun to discover interesting facts. It turns out that even outdoor cats gather in packs not only because more food can be found in one particular place. They have a full-fledged matriarchal community, within which females can even help raise the kittens of other females. Moreover, within communities, cats often pair up and spend most of their time with their best friend. Yes, cats can be best friends and you should take that into consideration!
Is it worth getting a second cat?
Unfortunately, there is no concrete answer to this question. You will have to spend a lot of time thinking, it is also worth trying an experiment to determine how sociable your first cat is and whether he needs a life partner. Cats are not toys, and if your pet does not want company, and you may think that you are doing a good deed and helping him become more cheerful, then in fact you will be dooming him to constant stress. Moreover, the second cat may not really like it either. Overall, there are a lot of things to consider, but if you think you can cope with two animals, and also think that both cats will be happy together, then you should definitely get a second cat.
The nature of hostility
Each cat has its own territory, the boundaries of which it jealously guards.
Fighting for territory is more typical of cats. Because of this, two cats in the same apartment may not come to terms with each other’s presence at all and constantly start fights, despite all the owner’s efforts to make them friends. This is especially true for cats with a fighting character.
Fight for territory
Two cats in the house can also compete with each other, especially for the love of the owner. To avoid having to rack your brains about how to reconcile cats living in the same apartment, the owner should be fair and not provoke jealousy: give the cats the same amount of food, play with both and pay enough attention to each of them.
Friendly cats need friends
Before you decide to get a second cat, you need to determine how friendly your first pet is. And here we are not talking about the cat’s attitude towards you, that is, whether he sits on your lap, whether he allows himself to be picked up, and so on. It's about how he reacts to other cats.
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Does he hiss when he sees his fellow dog on the street? Or maybe he wants to meet you right away? Or does it not react at all?
Two heads are better
When you are considering adopting a second pet, you should also think about what kind of cat to get. What kind of character should he have? In fact, what usually matters is the cat's tendency to dominate. Many cats love to dominate, to be in charge, so it can be difficult for them to accept an opponent. However, they will be able to do this if the newly-made partner does not strive for dominance. If there are two dominant cats in one house, then the owner will have a hard time. If one of the cats, in principle, doesn’t care who is in charge, then they can get along without problems.
