Cat coexistence doesn’t always work, does it? Many cats end up fighting or shaking each other and are not accepted at all. Therefore, before presenting the second kitten at home, it is essential to prepare the house well and know well the feline behavior to make a good presentation.
In this new article by Animal Expert we show you the keys to know how to run two cats, although it is necessary to consult a specialist for more serious cases.
- Cats are not a gregarious species.
- Contrary to what many people think.
- They are.
- Of course.
- Solitary animals that only exhibit social behavior during the hot season.
- This does not mean that they cannot socialize positively with other members of the same species.
- However.
- The way they feed or hunt reveals obvious characteristics of their independent behavior.
In addition, they are very territorial animals, because they show defensive behavior in the face of the arrival of new individuals in their space, so the introduction of a new cat can be a complicated task.
To determine whether or not our cat accepts the new member, it is essential to ensure that it has had a good period of socialization with other cats (between the second and seventh week of life). If this does not happen, it is likely that it will not recognize the body language of cats and will end up showing aggressive behavior, motivated mainly by fear.
However, some cats that have been properly socialized are not receptive to welcoming a new cat at home. The same can happen with a cat that has not socialized with other cats for many years, with older cats receiving a puppy or even with cats suffering from health problems.
As guardians, we should be aware that the introduction of a new cat at home can lead to a lack of stability, which can lead to problems of coexistence. In this case, it may be necessary to consult an ethologist or a specialist in feline behavior.
Although cats remain less competitive in resources than dogs, it is essential to ensure that each individual has their own accessories so that a conflict does not arise because of this cause.
Ideally, each feline has its own special utensils and, in addition, have access to an extra one. This applies to almost everything: feeder, feeder, scraper, bed, nest, sandpit, toys … Here are some tips to let you know how to distribute these items:
After making sure cats have everything they need to live together properly, it’s time to introduce them. It is important to note that before presenting them, the newcomer should be placed in a separate room for a few days to avoid a sudden encounter.
The goal is that, during this time, the cat that already lives in the house realizes that there is a new individual and that he begins to recognize his smell by the slits of the door. In the temporary room, the new cat must have everything: a sandbox, a water fountain, a feeder … It’s likely that in the first few days you’ll hear cats shivering from one to the other. However, it is essential not to scold this behavior, as it is quite normal.
It is impossible to guarantee the success of the first meeting. However, there are some tricks that can make the presentation between two cats as positive as possible:
It may also be worth wearing kitchen gloves at the first presentation if an action is needed to stop a fight. Although this probably doesn’t happen, you’d better be prepared.
It is quite normal that during the first days of coexistence I hear cats sniff, tremble and run around the house. At best, cats can show a tolerant attitude to each other. Again, they must respect their communication and not intervene, because they are the ones who must learn to communicate and define their role in the home. In addition, punishing or scaring animals when they are intolerant can worsen the situation, generating a negative association between the two animals.
As the days go by, tolerance increases and you may know that the two cats have become accustomed when they begin to show certain intimate behaviors such as licking or sleeping together. Both behaviors are very positive and reveal not only tolerance, but also affection towards the other animal.
Even after a good presentation, cats may not behave well and begin to show negative behaviors towards others, such as fights. In such cases, it is essential to pay attention to the sounds emitted by cats and the postures of the feline body to better understand their attitude and discover the cause of the problem.
Here are some behavioral problems and some signs that identify them
Genetics, learning, trauma and many other factors influence the feline’s behavior and lead to aggressive fears and behaviors. It is not always possible to know what has been the cause of certain behaviors, especially when it comes to adopted adult cats.
The guidelines for working on a possible cat behavior problem vary completely depending on diagnosis, available resources, and prognosis. It may be necessary to adapt the measures to evolution, so it is impossible (and not recommended) to offer a comprehensive treatment of the general change in behavior that works for all cases.
However, we offer 5 basic tips that you can apply to get two cats along:
1. Use positive reinforcement
To educate our feline and encourage certain behaviors, we can use positive reinforcement, which consists in rewarding good behaviors (for example, caressing the cat when he is calm with the other cat) and using the negative punishment that implies the end of something positive when there is bad behavior (for example, we stop stroking the cat when the hair of the other feline shakes). Both are part of a positive education and minimize the risk of stress and anxiety. We must apply these techniques as much as possible to promote a good relationship between the two cats.
Stimulation through entertainment games keeps the mind and body of our felines active, promoting the learning, well-being and enrichment of their daily lives. It is very important that these exercises adapt to the cat so that there is no overstimulation.
3. Additional help
We have already mentioned that some products promote wellness and relaxation in cats, such as the use of synthetic pheromones. However, there are also other products on the market such as balanced foods that have the label “calm” or the use of drugs recommended by the veterinarian.
However, remember that your own behavior also influences felines, so feel free to maintain a state of calm and relaxation at all times, acting calmly and thus promoting the atmosphere to be relaxed and conducive to creating a good bond between animals. two cats.
4. Errors to avoid
Unfortunately, the Internet is full of articles based on outdated methods or created by people without training or experience in changing the behavior of cats. It is very important to avoid certain types of errors such as:
If you are facing a complex case or difficult-to-identify behavior, we recommend that you consult a specialist such as a veterinarian/etological biologist or a professional in feline behavior. In addition to helping you with the diagnosis, your professional can lead behavior change sessions with you and offer you personalized advice and recommendations for your case.
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Behavioral Problems section.