Cat to cat behavior: How to help cats get along

Cat-to-cat behavior can be a furry minefield - social media can falsely portray cats as instantly becoming buddies when they first meet. Sadly, in reality, this is often not the case. Kitties are complicated and a few feline facts need to be understood before you decide your cat needs a new buddy.

Here are some tips and tricks on how to help cats get along and form a new furry friendship with as few catfights as possible.

Why do cats fight?

Cats are territorial creatures, and unfortunately, catfights and aggressive behaviors are all part of cat-to-cat communication. If a cat enters new territory long since guarded by another cat (i.e. adopting a new feline friend when you have another at home), it’s natural for there to be a rift.

Not only do cats fight for territory but also to establish a pecking order. While cats are mostly solitary furballs, in feral colonies or clouders there is always a hierarchy that sadly needs to be fixed from fights. This kind of hierarchical system is nature’s way of providing extra security for them. But, in the home, it can cause a lot of hissy fits. 

How long does it take cats to get along?

Oh gosh, how long is a piece of string?! In all seriousness, it depends on so many different things like their personalities and the type of at-home lifestyle they have. In some rare cases, cats can bond within a few weeks of meeting, others will take a lot more time and commitment.

The trick is to start off their relationship gently and around their terms. Like us, kitties experience different emotions each day, so some days might be better than others to make a new furry friend.

Tips on how to help cats get along

First off, never rush new introductions with cats. One of the most common mistakes cat carers make when beginning a multi-cat household is rushing their first meeting. If things are stressful from the start, this could lay some very rocky foundations for their future relationship.

When you bring your new furry family member home, keep them closed off in a separate room with their own food bowls and litter box. Not only does this allow them to adjust to their new surroundings, but it also means your current cat resident doesn’t feel instantly threatened by the smells of a new cat. Allow them to sniff each other from under the door and leave items with the other cats' smell on.

After a few weeks, you can start opening the door slightly so they can see each other and perhaps pop a paw in. The door still acts as a safety barrier should any hissing or growling start. You can then slowly begin to open the door more with each interaction.

When it comes to allowing your new cat into the rest of your other cat’s home, it’s important to still keep their eating, drinking, and bathroom places separate. This offers them some secure and safe territory of their own and prevents any protective fighting. From then on, it’s allowing the cats to investigate one another in their own time with plenty of space to hide or flee if it becomes too much.

How to calm an aggressive cat

Give them space. Never try to hold or touch an aggressive cat as it can be dangerous for you and make them even more stressed. Animals become aggressive when they’re scared and threatened, so the best thing to do is to remove the ‘threat’ (new cat) and let them calm down in their own time and space. Avoid any loud noises, sudden movements, or anything that can create extra anxiety. They’ll come down in their own time, it’s a process that can’t be rushed.

Signs cats are starting to get along.

If you reintroduce the cats slowly and in a safe space, you might begin to see some improvements. The first sign your cats are at least tolerating each other is they’re not fighting. In fact, no interaction at all is still an indicator they’ve started a mutual shared space agreement. There may be a few coarse growls and hisses around food bowls, litter boxes, or bedding, but this is normal cat behavior.

For those lucky enough to have a completely compatible multi-cat household, some positive interactions include grooming each other, eating at the same time in the same space, playing together, and sharing warmth while sleeping. These behaviors can be super cute to observe and make for excellent social media material! But, do remember, they are still cats with limited patience, so it’s okay to expect the odd spat or spit every now and again.

Are you a cat whisperer with your own slices of kitty wisdom on how to help cats get along? Or are you a concerned carer looking for some first-paw advice? Head to our Community Forum to connect with other feline fanatics to share your experience and the love of cats with other like-minded pet people. Otherwise, start your search to find the purr-fect cat sitter near you to care for your kitty in the comfort of their own home.