Cats Fighting? Top Tips On How To Get Cats To Get Along
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Many of us tend to think of cats as solitary creatures that don’t want – or need – the company of other cats.
While some cats do prefer to live alone, others do much better when they have another kitty to cuddle up with.
Either way, if you have more than one cat, it’s important to make sure they get along well. If they don’t, it can be incredibly stressful for everyone – including them.
It can also be dangerous if your cats are fighting all the time and you’ll be off to the vet getting abscesses drained every five minutes.
That’s no good for anyone. So while your warring kitties don’t need to be best buddies, it’s important they can share resources and tolerate each other.
Whether you’re thinking about getting a second cat, or if you already have two cats that don’t seem to be getting along, I’ll show you how you can create a harmonious cat household and help your cats get along peacefully.
How do I know if my cats are getting along or not?
If you want to determine how your cats are getting along, watch their body language and behavior.
Overt signs of aggression
Cats use both obvious and subtle signals to communicate with each other. If you see a slow blink, one cat licking the other cat’s face, or your kitties are even just sitting near each other calmly and quietly, these are all positive signs that show your cats are comfortable in each other’s company.
At the other end of the scale, obvious signals of aggression include growling, yowling, spitting, hissing, a tense body posture, stiffened fur (aka piloerection), swatting at, or chasing the other cat. These signals all mean “back off.”
Covert signs of aggression
More subtle signals of aggression or intimidation include one cat staring at the other, blocking access to resources, or making the other cat move from where he’s eating, sleeping, or just hanging out.
If a cat is being bullied by another cat, he may hide away or only stay in one part of the house. He may be constantly vigilant and on the alert, waiting for the bullying cat to come and attack him.
Behaviors like these are signs of stress and the cat resorting to them could end up in a state of chronic stress. This is unfair on him and bad for his all-around welfare, as well as his immune system and long-term health.
Why aren’t my cats getting along?
There are several reasons why cats may not be getting along.
#1. Competition for social ranking
According to International Cat Care, the social behavior of domestic cats depends primarily on the density of cats and the availability of food sources.
Our pet cats are a “remarkably adaptable species” that have retained their roots as solitary hunters but can still, in both natural and artificial situations, “adapt to group-living through the development of social structures.”
So although our cats may be competing with each other, they are also pretty good at sorting things out. Studies have found that cats seem to do this through “space management, home ranges and favored spots, and tail signaling at a distance.”
Tactics like these provide information so other cats can tailor their responses accordingly and avoid contact or aggression (Bernstein & Strack, 2015).
In my experience of living with multiple cats over the years, cats who didn’t know each other before they came to live with us have formed extremely close bonds, with no particular age or gender preference.
Magnus and Jethro (at the top of this post and below) are a prime example of this. Both neutered male cats rescued from bad situations, both were (Magnus) /are (Jethro) of a gentle temperament and extremely sociable with other cats.
Neither ever showed any interest whatsoever in fighting with each other or any of our other cats. We used to joke fondly about their bromance and were heartbroken when Magnus crossed the Rainbow Bridge – both for ourselves and for Jethro.
#2. Territorial behavior
Another reason cats may not get along is because of territorial behavior. This is especially true if there are limited resources, like food, water, or places to sleep.
Territorial aggression can also be seen when a new feline is introduced to the home. The resident cat (or cats) may view the new pet as a threat and act aggressively towards him.
#3. Stress
Stress can also be a factor in causing cats to not get along. Cats in a home environment often have no real control over their environment and this in itself can be a huge stressor.
Also, if one or more of the cats is stressed out due to changes in routine, moving, loud noises, or illness, this can lead to conflicts.
In a similar way, when one cat has been to the vet and comes home smelling a bit different, a previously friendly cat may become aggressive toward the returning cat.
Personality clashes can also cause problems between cats – for example, if one cat is very active and playful while the other is more laid-back and chilled.
#4. A new cat
When a new kitten or new adult cat is adopted and added to the household, cat owners sometimes rush the process and don’t do a proper introduction, so there may be some fighting as the cats try to adapt.
To avoid this, it’s important to give the cats time to adjust to each other and not force them to interact straight away. A slow initial introduction process, where the cats stay in separate areas and can only smell each other’s scent, is the best way to start.
From there you can allow visual contact at a distance so they can get used to each other from a distance without being able to touch or hurt each other. This process can – and should – take at least a few days and maybe even weeks.
#5. Illness or injury
If a cat is ill or injured, he may become aggressive to other cats in the house as he feels threatened and vulnerable.
Cats can also display aggressive behavior if they’re in pain – for example if they have arthritis or another chronic condition.
If you think your cat is hurt or may be in pain, it’s important to take him to the vet so he can be diagnosed and treated accordingly.
What can I do to help my cats get along?
Feline behavior researcher Sharon Crowell-Davis et al. suggest that if pet owners want more than one cat, they adopt small groups of related or young individuals (such as a mother and two kittens, or a small group of related or unrelated kittens, at broad intervals).
However, in reality, it rarely happens like this.
If like me you’ve already got an existing cat or two, and you’ve decided to take in another waif or stray, the same researchers make the following suggestions to make the transition easier:
1) Build up some degree of familiarity between the group and any new, strange cat before it can be introduced.
2) Keep the stranger behind screen doors so odors can be exchanged.
3) Exchange bedding and materials from resting spots.
These are all excellent suggestions as a starting point. but there’s much more we need to do to set up our cats for success. I go into this in much more detail in my article How To Fix A Cat Introduction That’s Not Going Well.
How to get cats to get along
#1. Provide multiple resources
Setting up your cats’ home environment to provide plenty of hiding places (e.g. cardboard boxes) and vertical space (e.g. a cat tree, high shelving, or furniture) can help reduce stress and make them feel more secure.
I’ve noticed our cats often have a preference for hiding under things or hanging out in high places. So giving them the option to retreat to their preferred location (or even better, a choice of preferred locations) whenever they feel like it can really help to reduce tensions.
It’s also important to have several food bowls and water bowls located in different feeding stations so the cats have a choice of where to eat and drink, and still have access if another cat decides to block one of the stations.
In the same way, there should be a variety of scratch posts (horizontal/diagonal/vertical with different substrates such as carpet, sisal, or cardboard) and a selection of litter boxes in quiet locations. The rule of thumb is one box per cat, plus one.
This way, there is less competition for resources and so less stress and tension and less likelihood of potential conflict.
#2. Provide environmental enrichment
Cats are natural predators and love to stalk, chase and pounce on things. So providing them with toys they can stalk, chase and pounce on can help to keep them happy and amused, as well as provide an outlet for their innate predatory behavior.
The Cat Fishing Pole or the Da Fish Teaser Wand are great options for this. There are lots of other kinds of cat toys available too, from simple DIY toys (e.g. a ping pong ball in an empty cardboard box) to more sophisticated electronic toys that move and make a noise.
You can also buy food puzzle feeders, which are designed to make your cat work for his food. Again, these can help engage your cat’s natural predatory instincts and provide him with a mental and physical challenge.
#3. Play
Play is a fun, pleasant activity for animals that helps them switch from a negative to a positive emotional state. So regular play sessions with your cat can help keep him happy and relaxed.
When I’ve seen tensions developing between any of our cats, I lure the offender away with a piece of string and we have a little game for a while.
Not only does this defuse the tension and move each cat into a more positive state of mind, the “victim” cat often comes and joins in as well. So instead of being hostile to one another, they are now enjoying a game together and enjoying a pleasant experience together.
Just be careful to keep things calm so one cat doesn’t get over aroused and decide to attack the other one! You can achieve this by watching each cat’s body language and also keeping some distance between them.
I like to give them each a few turns to chase the string and catch it. This way they can complete the full predatory sequence and not be left feeling “frustrated” about the string that got away and take it out on the other cat.
I’ve also found that the cat who is waiting his turn is quite happy to sit and wait. But all cats are individuals and you’ll be able to get a better idea of what works for your cats.
#4. Encourage positive interactions
In the same way, you can encourage other positive associations between your cats such as feeding them yummy treats at the same time at a distance they are both comfortable with, or by petting them at the same time.
You may need to start this with one cat on either side of you rather than expecting them to be cuddled up together right off the bat.
#5. Use positive reinforcement
If you see your cats getting along or showing calm behavior around each other, be sure to give them lots of praise and food rewards. Again, this will help them associate good things with being around each other and make them more likely to repeat the behavior.
#6. Pheromones
Finally, consider using a Feliway® Pheromone Diffuser or a calming spray in your home. Feliway is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone, which is used by cats to mark their territory and make themselves feel more comfortable.
Feliway can help to reduce stress and tension in multi-cat households, and can therefore help to reduce aggression and fighting. It’s available as a diffuser (which plugs into the mains and gradually releases the pheromone into the air) or as a spray (which can be used to target specific areas).
#7. Don’t force them to interact
Some cats will never be best friends, but that doesn’t mean they can’t live peacefully together. Cats in multi-cat households often find a way to share resources (known as time-sharing – and I don’t mean a villa in Spain!) so that everyone’s happy.
Kitty time-sharing means that different cats have access to the same resources at different times.
So in our home, Oakley may sleep on the bed in the daytime, but at night he decamps to the chair while Jethro and Spencer take over the bed.
In the same way, Rainbow dozes in the cardboard box on the kitchen shelf all night, but during the day Kasper might pop in for a nap.
Jasmine rules the roost and sleeps on her own little platform. Occasionally she’ll allow Kasper to join her but more often than not, she prefers to be up there alone and the other cats accept that.
In this way, everyone has access to their coveted resources. Just not all at the same time. And everyone is happy.
“If you have a multi-cat household where there are no disputes then your cats have more than likely worked out an effective time-share schedule,” explains cat behavior expert Pam Johnson-Bennett.
“[But] if you have a multi-cat home where one cat chases another off a chair or sits on the bed and prevents a companion kitty from using that same space, then the time-share arrangements in your house haven’t been agreed upon.”
Should I let my cats fight it out?
The most important thing is to be proactive in preventing fights from happening in the first place. Cat fights can be nasty and bring with them a risk of injury. Not to mention the stress for all parties.
If your cats still end up fighting, the most important thing is to intervene as soon as possible. Don’t let them keep fighting, as this will just aggravate the situation. You can try throwing a towel or blanket over them to disorientate them or place an object like a broom or a cushion between them.
The goal is not to hurt either of them but simply to create a barrier so you can begin to gently force them apart without sticking your hands in between them. If you try to use your hands or feet to separate them you risk getting a nasty bite or scratch.
Having said that, our cat Oakley went through a phase of attacking our sweet little tabby cat Finlay who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
On the occasions when this happened outdoors and I hadn’t seen it in time to intervene, I’d just swoop right in and pick Finlay up. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me and this was the quickest way to stop the fight.
If I parted them with a broom or other object, Finlay would run and Oakley would chase him. And I wanted to avoid that at all costs.
So you need to know your cat too. In time, using the strategies outlined above, Oakley no longer felt the need to harass poor Finlay who lived a much calmer, happier life from then on.
It’s also worth noting that Finlay was in our home long before Oakley, so sometimes it can be the new family member who comes in and upsets the apple cart, rather than one of the residents.
Can cats get along after fighting?
The short answer is yes, but it may take some time for them to feel relaxed around each other again. Once the initial aggression has been diffused, the cats may go straight back to accepting each other’s presence.
But in some cases, you may need to take some time to re-introduce the cats slowly and carefully.
This is usually done by confining one cat to a separate room (with his own litter tray, toys, food, water, and bedding) for a few days so he has his own safe space while the other has a free run of the house. Then you swap them over.
You can do this a few times and build up to where they sniff each other on opposite sides of the door (or under it) and get used to each other while in a relaxed frame of mind.
For the next step, as long as their reactions are calm, you can keep the door open just an inch or two and let them see each other from a distance. A screen door can be helpful here if you have that option.
If the cats still don’t react, you can reward them and gradually build up the amount of time they spend together until they’re back to sharing the same space all the time. Make sure you keep an eye on them during this process and be prepared to intervene if necessary.
Take your time – this process can easily take a few days and maybe longer. That doesn’t matter, the important thing is that the cats are learning at their own pace to be calm in each others’ presence.
What if my cats still don’t get along?
It’s also worth noting that some cats simply don’t get along no matter what you do. If this is the case, you might want to consider providing each cat with their own space that includes all the resources they need (a litter box, food, water, toys, and bedding) in different parts of the house so they don’t have to cross paths if they don’t want to.
You can even create a physical barrier such as a door or baby gate to prevent them from entering each other’s area (note: many cats will jump straight over a baby gate!).
You can swap them over so they each get to spend time in each area. Some cats will be perfectly fine with this, others will find it stressful.
As a last resort, you may want to think about whether it would be better for the cats’ welfare to rehome one of them. If the home environment is too stressful for you to manage and the cats are also stressed and miserable (which can lead to other health and behavior issues such as house soiling), then this might be your final option.
Final thoughts
It’s true that cats are territorial by nature and don’t always take kindly to sharing their resources with other cats. This can lead to conflicts that, while quite normal in the cat world, are far from ideal in a home setting.
But cats are very adaptable so while getting your cats to get along can take time and patience, it’s definitely possible.
Just give them some time to adjust, encourage positive interactions between them, and provide plenty of resources.
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Resources
- A game of cat and house: spatial patterns and behavior of 14 domestic cats (Felis catus) in the home – Penny L. Bernstein & Mickie Strack
- Behavior of Single Cats and Groups in the Home – Penny L. Bernstein
- Do Cat Families Have a Hierarchical Structure? – catedit
- How Cats Time-Share – Pam Johnson-Bennett
- Social organization in the cat: a modern understanding – Sharon L Crowell-Davis, Terry M. Curtis, & Rebecca J. Knowles
- The Link Between Feline House Soiling Behavior & Intercat Aggression: Treating Them Both – Debra F. Horwitz, DVM, DACVB
- The Social Structure of Cat Life – International Cat Care
- What Are Cat Pheromones? – Feliway
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
