Mary Allen
After careful consideration, you have decided that a second cat should move in. But how do you go about bringing the cats together so that a friendship develops? We have a few tips for you.
A cat makes life beautiful. Two cats make it even nicer. As a result, more and more cat owners are choosing to keep multiple cats. But when a second cat moves in, the reconciliation has to go right. Because the first few days decide whether the cat duo becomes friendship or enmity.
Keeping Two Cats: Which Cats Go Well Together?
In order for two cats to become friends, you have to think carefully about which cat you bring into the house as a second cat. Not every catsuit the other. Whether two cats can “smell” each other is difficult to predict. However, there are a few rules you should follow when choosing a second cat. Because if you have made the right choice, then you are already a small step closer to cat friendship.
Cat Siblings
Of all the conceivable combinations of two, cat siblings are the most peaceful. When cats grow up together, it becomes an ideal interaction in a shared home. Therefore, the recommendation of many cat experts is to take in two cats from one litter right from the start.
But beware: Cats do not have a sense of family in the human sense, rather their affection is based on habit. If cat siblings are separated for a long time and then brought together again, rejection and hostility can also arise here.
Two Kittens From Different Litters
The cat friendship between foster siblings is just as close as between real cat siblings. The important thing is that the kittens grow up together. The younger two strange cats meet, the better. So if you want to keep two different breeds, you should coordinate this well in time and bring the cats together as young animals. They will become friends like true siblings. Because as long as the kittens are still small, they feel the urgent need to cuddle together. And any other kitten is fine with them.
Male or Female
Whether a mixed-sex cat pair is better than a single-sex cat pair is not easy to answer. Rather, it depends on whether the two partners in a duo are neutered or not. Unneutered mixed couples are peaceful, but of course, it is not advisable to avoid offspring.
Two unneutered cats, on the other hand, will probably not get along. And even if both cats are neutered, life together will not be quite as peaceful. They will bicker significantly more often than mixed cat pairs. The most peaceful are two cat ladies or a neutered cat lady and neutered tomcat.
Kittens And Seniors
Introducing a young kitten to an older cat is not recommended. Because cats that have a big age difference cannot do justice to each other. As with us humans, children, adults, and seniors also have different interests when it comes to cats. This is not to say that it is not possible to successfully reconcile a kitten with an older cat.
But you should definitely consider the character of the two cats and combine them well. A shy young cat goes better with a reserved old cat. A dominant first cat will also get along with a cheekier kitten. An 8-week-old feral kitten is probably an unwelcome challenge for an older cat.
Free Runner With Free Runner
Problems can arise if adult cats form a free-roaming duo. For cats, a newcomer is always an intruder in the common home range.
The first cat, which also has the nuisance in its own apartment, gets excited. If it is absolutely not possible to live in peace with the other cat, she will give way, if necessary perhaps wander off completely.
Cats that harmonize completely in the house shouldn’t have any problems going outside either.
The Second Cat Moves in: This Is How They Prepare For Arrival
So that there are no dramas of jealousy between the two future housemates, you should prepare well for the arrival of the second cat.
- Get the necessary equipment for the second cat. Because every cat needs its own equipment. The equipment for the second cat includes a cat basket, a litter box, bowls, a brush, toys, and a scratching opportunity or scratching post.
- Make sure you have the option of keeping the two cats separate at first – for example in two separate rooms. Because it’s better if they don’t meet each other right away, but can only get closer little by little, and each cat keeps its own retreat.
- Identify a caregiver for the second cat. This shouldn’t be the primary cat’s caregiver. Because if the first cat feels neglected, the start for peaceful coexistence has failed. Better you choose another person from the family who gives the second cat the necessary nest warmth. If you live alone, it’s even more important to ensure that you give the first cat as much attention as you did before the second cat moved in.
Bringing Cats Together: You Should Avoid These Mistakes
A second cat is well-chosen according to the age and character of the first cat and its arrival is well prepared. Now you can merge the two cats! But be sure to avoid these mistakes:
- Don’t be impatient
Give both cats as much time as they need to get to know each other and get used to each other. If a cat initially crawls into hiding, don’t drag it out of its hiding place. If one of the cats is scared or stressed, don’t put the second one in front of it. It is best to keep the cats separate in different rooms at first. - Familiarize the two cats with each other’s scents. For example, place the first cat’s basket next to the second cat and give the second cat the blanket to the other cat to sniff. Be patient and you will see that everything falls into place. With too much pressure, you only create an unnecessarily negative mood in the already exhausting first days together.
Don’t Neglect The First Cat
In no case should you make the first cat feel like he’s no longer number one? Of course, a new cat attracts everyone’s attention. But be careful not to back down the first cat. You can avoid this by assigning the second cat another caregiver from the family who will give her the attention she needs. Consciously take time for the first cat to play and cuddle. So none of the cats will feel neglected.
Don’t Jump Right Into a Fight
As your cats get to know each other, there will likely be some ranking games. Because rules of coexistence have to be set. But don’t get involved in the smallest scuffle. Let the cats carry it out among themselves. Of course, you need to keep an eye on what’s happening and intervene if it gets too aggressive. Because nobody should be seriously injured!
Don’t Deprive Cats of Their Retreats
Living with another cat is very exhausting and exciting for the cat duo, especially at the beginning. It is all the more important that both cats have their own retreat that they know and can always go to when they feel like it. There they can feel safe and recover from the initial exertion.
Each cat should have its own food bowl and several water bowls. It is best to place the bowls in different places at an appropriate distance from each other so that each cat knows exactly which is their feeding spot. If a cat is still very frightened and does not dare to go to the bowl, it is advisable to feed the cats separately in different rooms. This way the anxious cat can feel safe and will not spurn the food.
Don’t Set Up Just One Litter Box For Both Cats
A rule of thumb says: There is one more litter box than there are cats in the household. However, at least one litter box per cat is advisable – especially when two cats are brought together. If you only provide the cats with a toilet, in the worst case it can lead to one of the cats looking for another way to defecate and becoming unclean.
Do Not Discontinue Game Units
Just because there is now a second cat in the household and both cats have a friend to play with does not mean that both cats do not want and need your attention. You should continue to interact and play with the cats on a daily basis to maintain your close bond with them.
Incorporate both cats into a game together. So nobody needs to be jealous and the curiosity and desire to play will outweigh the initial skepticism about the partner.
If you follow the above rules, there is no guarantee that the two roommates will become great friends. But you have made sure that bringing the cats together causes as little stress as possible for the animals.