Living with a cat is a succession of laughter, amusement, but also frustration. It can brighten your days, as well as stress you out with its antics. Your joyful moments with a single cat are so enjoyable that you may want to have a second or even a third.
Summary
1- An animal that is both solitary and territorial
2-Why encourage the cohabitation of two cats?
3- How to prepare for the cohabitation of two cats?
4- Cohabiting Two Cats: Summary
But is it a good idea? Coexisting with two cats is not impossible, but it requires your full commitment. So, how should you go about it? And what should you consider to ease the transition? Find all the answers to these questions and some tips in this article.
An animal that is both solitary and territorial
You may have noticed that a cat is quite a solitary animal. It's rare to see them hanging out with their fellow felines from the neighborhood, especially if you have only one at home. Of course, you may observe some flirting during a female's heat period, but once it's over, everyone goes back to their daily routines.
Just like its cousin, the tiger, a cat is also very territorial. It marks its territory with its scent to remind everyone of its dominance. It exhibits protective behavior towards what belongs to it and will fiercely defend its home against any intruders. If someone unfortunate dares to cross the boundaries of its domain, they will quickly realize their mistake.
The only cases where you might regularly see cats together are when they have been raised together. Of course, even if you have taken in two adult cats at the same time, it is possible for them to coexist.
Why encourage the cohabitation of two cats?
Encouraging the cohabitation of cats is highly recommended. Indeed, having a playmate ensures their well-being, both mentally and physically.
To prevent obesity
When a cat is bored, it will seek food frequently. Moreover, it may not be very inclined to exercise, especially if its owner doesn't have much time to dedicate to it and it can't go outside. Due to this sedentary lifestyle, it will quickly gain weight and eventually become obese.
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As a result of this excess weight, it can develop various diseases, such as heart problems, kidney failure, and many more. Therefore, adopting another animal to keep it company and break its harmful habit is necessary. With a companion, it can engage in various games and chase each other around the house. In any case, it will keep them active.
To reduce the risk of depression
Due to their antisocial nature, cats often fight with any animals entering their territory. This applies to neighboring cats, dogs, or the kitten you just adopted. While your intention is to provide companionship and some entertainment during the day, even when you're not at home.
When a cat is left alone in a household all the time, it will further emphasize its solitary side. This is especially true for indoor cats. Gradually, it will accumulate stress caused by the fear of the unknown and become depressed. In such a situation, it may even become aggressive, even towards you.
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The presence of an excited kitten or another adult cat may help it regain its zest for life and act normally again. Of course, getting used to a new presence can take some time and requires a lot of patience on your part.
For breeding
Some owners want to keep their cats' pedigrees intact. They don't want to see their furry ball mate with the neighbor's unsightly tomcat. To achieve this, they adopt a cat of the opposite sex to the one already present in the house. This process is quite complex because cats may not like their so-called partner. Therefore, it's necessary to seek advice from a veterinarian or a feline behavior expert to succeed in your plan.
Of course, for this to work, it's also essential to understand the secrets of the cat's reproductive cycle. This will allow you to determine more precisely when to introduce the new cat into your home.
How to prepare for the cohabitation of two cats?
Being well-prepared is the key to successfully cohabitating two cats. First and foremost, you need to know how to adopt a cat. There are indeed steps and factors to follow for adoption and finding the right one. If you plan to bring home a two- or three-month-old kitten, you need to prepare for its arrival. Then, it's necessary to follow the following tips.
Stay vigilant
Harmonious cohabitation between two cats is possible. However, it's essential to be well-prepared to avoid problems. If you handle it poorly, the adaptation period will be very long. Certainly, they will eventually get used to each other, but this time will be equally painful for both animals, as well as for you. There will be daily disputes, and the weaker of the two may be persecuted. They might even injure each other during multiple confrontations. In the heat of the moment, many objects, decorative or otherwise, will become collateral damage.
Furthermore, due to the stress caused by constant fights, one of them may become aggressive towards humans in the house. This can even happen to both. So, you also need to know how to discipline a cat that attacks to better control aggression in the behavior of your furry friends.
Perform a medical examination
Before bringing the newcomer into your home, it's essential to take them to a veterinarian. Your animal doctor can perform a comprehensive assessment to determine if your new companion needs treatment for specific diseases or if you can take them directly home. Don't forget vaccines, deworming, and flea prevention either.
Both cats must be in good health during the meeting, especially if they are of the opposite sex and intended for mating. This will prevent one from transmitting diseases to the other.
Provide separate spaces for each individual
During the adaptation phase, it's strictly forbidden to leave the two cats side by side at night. If you want to facilitate cohabitation, never force your pets to get along from day one.
So, consider setting up a space for the newcomer in a separate room. During the first nights, each one should have its own sleeping area. Even during the day, it's not recommended to let them roam freely in the same hallway. Always maintain their separate private spaces for some time. You can let them coexist freely only if neither of them displays a threatening attitude.
Arrange regular meetings
Don't expect your adult cat to be thrilled to have a kitten as a companion from day one. The fear of being replaced, jealousy, territorial behavior... all of this will make the resident cat suspicious and try to chase the newcomer out of the house. Once the sharing of space is established, you can gradually move forward.
Related: How To Prepare Your Home For A Cat?
You can arrange regular meetings, but always under supervision. The best approach is to keep both cats on a leash and not let them get too close if either one shows signs of aggression. After a few days, the two cats will start to get used to each other's scent. You can then let them sniff each other to get better acquainted.
Use synthetic pheromones
This technique is particularly recommended for cats of the opposite sex. Many animals, including felines, emit pheromones to communicate. Researchers have developed synthetic pheromones specifically to help cats coexist. They are designed to create a positive and relaxed atmosphere to facilitate initial contact.
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You can find products in spray form or with a diffuser. You can choose according to your preferences to encourage the cohabitation of your two cats.
Of course, the use of this type of product should be done under the guidance of a veterinarian. If you don't know how to use it, you may achieve the opposite effect.
Don't give up
How to make two cats coexist when they keep fighting? The answer is simple: let time do its work. If you have tried all the previous tips but without success, don't give up. If you send the newcomer to another home after only one or two weeks, the resident cat will believe it has won. It won't make any effort if you try the experiment again later.
In any case, don't be too hasty just because you don't have much time. Rushing things will only lead to fights and incessant meowing, day and night. Be patient if you want to facilitate cohabitation.
Don't intervene all the time
Certainly, you will have to separate them if a fight breaks out during the initial meeting. You will need to restrain one or the other and send them each to their respective rooms. Cohabitation between two cats doesn't always go as you wish, even if you do your best. If there are fewer disputes than in the first few days, don't intervene to separate them anymore. They need to learn to live together, and this step may be essential for building their bond.
Moreover, the more you intervene, the worse the situation may become. If you see one hissing or growling, don't scold them, but let them be. If you intervene in such situations, they may associate your reaction with a negative feeling caused by the other cat.
Assuage the jealous one
Jealousy will undoubtedly arise when a new member enters the household. However, you can mitigate this feeling and reassure the resident cat. If it fears losing its territory, it will surely try to chase away its rival. To prevent this, it's essential to reassure it.
For example, you can offer it a toy. This can alleviate the tension because it will focus more on the toy and a little less on the intruder. Also, remember to cuddle it regularly to let it know that you still love it.
Pay attention to both
Certainly, the adult cat is used to cuddling with you when you come home from work, and you've gotten used to it. But the kitten has an irresistible face and makes you want to pick it up and cuddle it endlessly.
To avoid making one of them jealous, don't neglect either one. Give equal love to both to ensure they feel good at all times. If you play with the first one, play with the second one as well. Don't buy just one toy for both; each should have their share.
Cohabiting Two Cats: Summary
In summary, cohabitating two unfamiliar cats is not impossible. Of course, it's essential to know how to go about it to facilitate the adaptation period. Always consider the cat's territorial nature and its feelings. Don't be too distant from both of them or too involved, especially during disputes.
This will make it easier to coexist with your two cats. Be patient and don't get discouraged too quickly. It takes time for things to improve. Avoid scolding the animals; you might face retaliation. How about you? Do you have any other tips to facilitate this cohabitation? Feel free to share them in the comments to help new cat owners.