Pawsitive Pals: Do Cats Form Friendships With Other Cats?
It’s often thought that cats are solitary, independent creatures who only tolerate other cats in their home environment because they have no choice.
But that’s not quite the case.
Cats are actually pretty good at forming their own tight-knit communities and friendships.
It depends primarily on the cats themselves and their living environment.
After personally observing two to 10 cats living together (yes, 10!) in my own home, I’ve learned that some get on with everyone while others get on with, well, no one really.
Or maybe just one select individual.
But why is that? In this article, we’ll explore everything there is to know about cats and their companionship habits.
By the end, you’ll know why some felines are more welcoming than others, as well as how to create the perfect home environment for your kitties to help keep things as drama-free as possible.
Understanding Cat Social Behavior
The social dynamics between cats in multi-cat households can vary greatly.
While some cats form strong bonds and enjoy sleeping, playing, and spending time together, others will display aggression and conflict.
Some of the typical feline antagonistic behaviors you might see include:
- Staring
- Ambushing
- Blocking access to resources
- Fighting
- Swatting
- Chasing (not in play)
- Avoiding
- Urine marking
Many times cats will be somewhere in the middle of the social group – not hostile, but not best friends either.
They may have an on-again-off-again relationship, or tolerate the presence of other cats even though they would prefer them not to be around.
Cat Colonies
When left to their own devices, feral cats form colonies with an internal structure, including cooperation between adult female cats in the care and rearing of kittens.
While female kittens tend to stay in the colony when they grow up, male kittens will usually venture out to establish their own territories once they reach sexual maturity.
Colony members are generally friendly with each other and often form close social bonds.
However, they will aggressively defend their territory if another cat dares to come too close or poses a threat to their resources (Atkinson, 2018).
We currently have six rescue cats at home and they will do exactly this.
Although not all of them are best friends, when an interloper dares to venture through our yard, our little colony of cats are united in their response to make them leave as soon as possible.
The Solitary Nature Of Cats
Regardless of any bonds or friendships, domestic cats are still solitary animals when it comes to hunting.
This applies whether they live in a colony with other cats or in a home environment with humans and other cats.
In other words, cats do not collaborate or work as a team to procure food.
Not only do they rely completely on themselves, but they don’t share the spoils either (Atkinson, 2018).
Bear this in mind because, even in a home with plentiful access to food, your cats may still see each other as rivals rather than friends – some of the time at least.
That’s why, in our home, we have four separate feeding stations so all six cats can choose where they eat, and eat in peace.
Do Cats Get Lonely?
Some cats may prefer to be the only pet in the household but many pet cats do befriend each other and enjoy a spot of feline company.
Of our resident six, I would say we have one loosely bonded pair (older males), two pairs of buddies who hang out and play together (younger males and females), one cat who will tolerate the rest but would probably prefer to be the only cat (one female), and two who get on with two of the other cats and not so much with the remaining two (one male and one female).
Among that group is a pair of cat sisters who were rescued separately and adopted a year apart.
They tolerate each other but are not friends, sadly.
From this little group alone, we can see how complex the relationships between fellow cats can be!
Factors Influencing Cat Friendships
While cats can be social creatures who form close friendships with other cats, this doesn’t apply to all cats.
Some are more cat-friendly than others, and others just aren’t really all that interested in the company of others.
Or they are only interested in forming a friendship with one or two other cats out of a group.
The dynamics are fascinating, so let’s look at some of the factors that influence whether cats are likely to get friendly with other cats or not:
Personality
Cats, like humans, have different personalities.
Some cats are more confident, outgoing, and social, while others are more reserved and insecure.
Compatibility
Just like with humans, some cats may simply not get along.
If your cats don’t seem to be forming a bond, it could be that they’re just not compatible and there’s a bit of a personality clash going on.
Experience Of Living With Other Cats
Cats that have previously lived with and established good relationships with other cats are more inclined to adapt to living with another cat.
For example, our cat, Jethro, who was rescued from a hoarding situation when we lived in Los Angeles, is the best cat ever with other cats.
He loves feline companionship above all else. He loves to make friends with the other cats, play chasing games with them, and he never shows a shred of aggression.
He’s the complete opposite of our feisty Dubai street cat rescues who, even if they were rescued when they were quite young, can be a bit, shall we say, tetchy with each other at times.
Meanwhile, there is Jethro sitting serenely in the middle of them all, a calming presence on everyone.
Positive Associations
If your cats have a positive experience together, such as playing or receiving yummy treats together, it can help them form a bond over time.
Age
Generally, the younger cats are when they first meet, the higher the chances of them developing a harmonious relationship.
This is especially true for litter mates who have grown up together, as they have the greatest likelihood of maintaining a close bond.
Unrelated cats also have a good chance of getting along and developing close bonds if they are introduced as kittens.
I have seen this many times when fostering rescue kittens.
Even those who are a bit hissy at first tend to adapt to their new kitten playmates very quickly – as opposed to older cats.
An older cat will tend to be more set in their ways, more protective of their resources, and less receptive to newcomers.
Introducing a young, active kitten or cat into a household can be particularly stressful for older cats, especially if they have limited or no prior experience with kittens.
Early Socialization With Other Cats
Kittens who are socialized with other cats (in addition to their mother and litter mates) at a young age are more likely to develop positive relationships with other cats as an adult cat.
Several years ago we rescued two (unrelated) tiny young kittens off the street in Dubai and they both grew up to be excellent with other cats – no matter how many waifs and strays we added into the mix throughout the years.
Should I Get A Second Cat?
If you are considering getting a second cat, it is important to understand your resident cat’s personality and behavior.
Some cats may not tolerate the presence of another cat in their territory, while others may be more confident and welcoming.
It is also essential to introduce cats slowly and carefully to avoid conflicts over resources such as food, resting sites, and litter boxes.
The better your introduction, the better the chance of the cats getting along.
I’ll talk more about the complexities of cat introductions a bit later.
Should I Get A New Cat If One Cat Dies?
According to Certified Cat Behavior Consultant Trudi Atkinson, introducing a new cat to one that has recently lost a close companion may not be such a good idea.
“The grieving cat will need time to adapt to the loss of his companion,” says Atkinson.
“If he also has to cope with the arrival of a strange cat in his home this can be extremely stressful for him.
“It is far better to wait until he has adapted to the loss before attempting to introduce a new cat companion.”
Sadly, I have experienced one cat from a bonded pair dying on two separate occasions.
Both were pairs of siblings who had spent their whole lives together.
Although the remaining cat was not left completely alone (because there have always been other cats in the house), they definitely took some time to adjust to the absence of their best friend.
Over quite a lot of time, each surviving cat formed closer friendships with one or two of our other cats.
Although the bonds do not appear to be as deep, they have certainly provided some comfort and friendship to fill the gap left by the cat who has passed on.
Recognizing Cat Friendships
It’s often clear when cats have formed a friendship.
Even then you may still see some occasional bickering – just like siblings or best friends!
Do your cats seem to get along well?
Are they often seen snuggling, grooming each other, or playing together?
If so, they have probably formed a close bond.
Signs of Bonding Between Cats
Here are some of the signs that your cats have become best buds:
- Relaxed Body Language: Cats who are comfortable with each other will often have relaxed body language when they’re together. They may lie down or sit close to each other without any tension or aggression.
- Hanging Out Together: Cats who are good friends will often spend time together, whether they’re playing, lounging, or exploring their surroundings.
- Grooming Each Other: Cats who are close will often groom each other. This is a sign of trust and affection, as cats will only allow those they trust to come close enough to groom them.
- Rubbing Against Each Other: Cats have scent glands on their faces, and they use these to mark their territory and communicate with other cats. When cats rub against each other, they’re sharing their scents and reinforcing their bond.
- Resting Close To Each Other: Cats who are friends will often sleep or rest close to each other. This is a sign of trust and comfort.
- Playing Together: Feline friends will often play together, whether it’s chasing each other around the house or playing with a shared toy.
Benefits Of Cat Friendships
If your cat is so inclined, having a feline companion can provide several benefits for his mental well-being and behavior.
Some of the advantages of cat friendships include:
Emotional Support And Stress Reduction
Just like humans and other animals, cats can experience fear, stress, and anxiety.
Having a feline friend can provide emotional support and reduce stress levels.
Bonded cats are known to groom each other, which releases endorphins to make them feel good and help them relax.
Having a companion can also reduce feelings of loneliness and boredom, which can contribute to stress.
Behavioral Enrichment And Play
Cats are natural hunters and need to engage in their innate predatory instincts.
Interactive play between cats can include chasing, wrestling, and grooming, and provides the perfect outlet for this.
Playing with another cat can also help develop social skills and reduce behavior issues such as aggression.
Not only that but having a friend to play and interact with can provide behavioral enrichment and prevent boredom and frustration.
How To Introduce Cats For Successful Friendships
This is the big one!
Introducing a new cat to your household can be quite the challenge.
If you get it wrong, or (like many people) rush the process, it can result in all sorts of issues, including fighting, bullying, hiding, urine marking, and constant yowling.
Nobody wants that. Not only is it stressful for the cats, but it’s also super stressful for the humans too.
Gradual introduction techniques are key to introducing cats to each other.
- Start by keeping the new cat separate in his own safe space in different areas of the house, such as a bathroom or spare bedroom, with his own litter tray, food dish, water bowl, and toys.
- Over time, you can allow the new cat and the existing cat (or cats) to sniff each other under the door while providing some tasty treats of their favorite wet food.
- In the meantime, you can swap over their bedding so they start to get used to each other’s scent.
- If things remain calm, you can crack open the door and let them see/sniff each other. Keep interactions short and sweet.
- Once they seem comfortable, you can allow supervised interactions in a neutral space.
- Positive reinforcement, such as treats and play, can help create a positive association between the cats during the introduction process.
- It is important to monitor the cats’ interactions and watch for the slightest signs of hostility.
- It’s always best to end the interaction before it gets to that point, which means you need to be an expert in reading cat body language.
This great little video from Fear Free Happy Homes explains feline body language in a nutshell:
Introducing a new cat to your household takes time and patience.
By following gradual introduction techniques and creating a positive environment, you will increase the chances of your cats developing successful friendships enormously.
- Cats Fighting? Top Tips On How To Get Cats To Get Along
- How To Fix A Cat Introduction That’s Not Going Well
Setting Up Your Multi-Cat Household For Success
If your cats’ living environment is too small or if there isn’t enough food and resources for everyone, chances are that tensions will arise.
Providing plenty of food, water, and litter boxes (one box per cat plus one extra), as well as interactive toys, will help alleviate this.
Make sure to offer a variety of vertical space through high perches or cat trees, as well as a range of cardboard boxes, cozy sleeping spots, and hiding places.
This way the cats all have enough personal space and can make their own choices as to where they hang out and when.
Potential Challenges In Cat Friendships
Despite your best efforts, cats are territorial animals and may still exhibit aggressive behaviors toward each other.
Signs that your cats are not getting along include:
- Over-grooming
- Over-eating
- Under-eating
- Hiding
- Avoiding the other cat/cats
- Sudden behavior changes
- House soiling or urine spraying – even in a litter-box-trained kitty
It’s always best to avoid this wherever possible, but sometimes you just need to start all over again and fix a cat introduction gone wrong.
You may also want to consider consulting with a cat behavior specialist to get back on the right track.
Key Takeaways
It’s clear that cats are capable of forming unique, long-lasting, and close relationships with other cats.
There’s some work on our end too, though: with cat introductions and the right environment we can help facilitate unlikely friendships and enable our cats to bond together.
Think of a multi-cat home like a sorority or fraternity if you will – you don’t have to force your cats into an uncomfortable situation but it’s important that everyone gets along!
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Resources
- Are Multi-Cat Homes More Stressful? A critical review of the evidence associated with cat group size and wellbeing – Lauren R Finka & Rachel Foreman-Worsley
- Cat Behaviour: Social Organization, Communication And Development – Sharon L. Crowell-Davis
- Cat Body Language 101 [Video] – Fear Free Happy Homes
- Cat Relationships – Trudi Atkinson
- Social Organization In The Cat: A Modern Understanding – Sharon L. Crowell-Davis, Terry M. Curtis, & Rebecca J. Knowles
- The Social Structure of Cat Life – International Cat Care
NEED HELP FROM A CAT BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST? If you need more help dealing with a training or behavior issue, please find professional help from a certified feline behavior consultant. They will be able to offer you tailored advice for your cat(s) and situation. Good places to start are: - International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants - COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers - American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
