In response to the American Veterinary Medical Affiliation (AVMA), about 37 million households have cats. That comes out to 1.78 animals per house. With these numbers in thoughts, it’s a secure assumption that many cat homeowners have been confronted with the problem of introducing two cats to 1 one other, and a few pet mother and father have extra success than others.
It’s unimaginable to foretell how lengthy two cats will get alongside. Many variables can have an effect on how the animals reply to a brand new family member. It might usually take at the least a number of weeks of supervised introductions, however generally it takes years. Some cats might by no means develop into quick associates. Nonetheless, understanding the feline thoughts may help clean the best way to a peaceable house.
The three Components Affecting How Cats Work together With One One other
Cats are extra in contact with their wild facet than canines. Whereas people domesticated canines round 40,000 years in the past, it was a more moderen occasion for felines roughly 12,000 years in the past. Canines proved themselves useful proper from the beginning. Nonetheless, scientists stay puzzled as to why folks accepted cats so readily to the purpose of worshipping them, as they didn’t assist us like canines did of their varied roles, except for mousing, in fact.
Our cats have developed to develop into much less reactive, fearful, and aggressive towards us. Nonetheless, what impact has evolution had on their relationships with one another?
1. Looking Habits
Keep in mind that cats are solitary hunters, with the notable exception of lions. They adapt their day by day patterns to their prey’s habits, whether or not it’s nocturnal rodents or diurnal birds. Our feline companions even be taught their family routines and regulate their sleeping patterns accordingly. On the coronary heart of their habits beats the guts of a territorial predator.
Our pets have a core space throughout the house as a part of their territory. That’s the place your kitty feels most secure. The perimeter of this house marks their territorial boundaries. Intact animals will scent mark it to alert different would-be interlopers that it’s occupied. It’s adaptive habits because it reduces the danger of battle and helps survival. That’s one cause in your cat’s eager sense of odor that exceeds people.
With all this in thoughts, intuition kicks in once you attempt to introduce one other cat into your family. Your present pet might not view the animal as one other good friend however as a competitor, therefore the hissing and growling that follows. Keep in mind that it’s all about survival for cats. Felines haven’t had a lot evolutionary stress to vary these instincts, even when they appear odd or unacceptable. It’s their wild facet taking the stage.
2. The Emotional Lifetime of Cats
Analysis has proven that cats can expertise the six primary feelings of shock, worry, disgust, unhappiness, happiness, and anger. They could additionally really feel spur-of-the-moment jealousy. The brand new kitty you’ve introduced house might set off these feelings, along with their intuition to defend their territory. In case your pet has by no means met one other cat, their first response could also be worry or anger.
Felines don’t have a way of time like we do; all the pieces occurs within the right here and now. They could not perceive the long-term results of a short encounter with one other cat. It’s a risk to which they have to react.
One other mitigating issue is socialization. The important interval for kittens is between 3 and 9 weeks previous. Not like canines, pet homeowners sometimes don’t introduce their pets to different animals, like a person might take their pet to pet playtime. The window might shut on a kitty with out alternatives to satisfy totally different animals, which may contribute to the difficulties of introducing a brand new cat.
Genetics additionally performs a task. One examine examined the habits traits of 19 breeds. The cats almost certainly to point out aggression towards different felines included breeds just like the Turkish Van and Korat. On the opposite finish of the spectrum have been Maine Coon, Devon Rex, and Persian.1
We will conclude that some cats are predisposed to welcome different animals into the family, whereas others are much less inclined. Nonetheless, environmental elements and rearing additionally affect feline sociability.
3. Colony Residing
Apparently, feral cats can reside in unfastened teams or colonies. They don’t kind packs with a hierarchy like canids, however they get alongside. The primary driver is enough meals availability. That is smart since it’s the final cause behind territoriality and its protection. Once more, all of this boils all the way down to survival. These animals don’t must defend the realm as a result of their wants are met.
Useful Suggestions for Introducing Cats
As we talked about, introducing cats could also be a problem. Many variables can have an effect on whether or not the 2 animals will get alongside. Generally, they find yourself simply tolerating one another, with the occasional squabble when one turns into jealous. Folks don’t all the time see eye to eye, so why ought to we count on totally different from our pets?
When introducing two cats to one another, we advocate conserving the brand new kitty in their very own room or secure house. They’re going by way of a dramatic transition changing into a part of your family. They want time to acclimate and regulate to the brand new routines, sounds, and smells of their new ceaselessly house. The intention of a profitable introduction is all in regards to the first impression.
Cats are very scent-oriented, because it’s a method they impart. You possibly can start by letting every animal get used to the opposite’s scent with beds or blankets each makes use of. Don’t try and allow them to meet bodily but. Preserve the door to the brand new pet’s room closed. A wonderful method to nurture this relationship is by creating optimistic associations in each cats.
You possibly can start by feeding each close to the door after they’ve had time to acclimate to the opposite’s odor. If issues proceed with out hissing, you possibly can then let every kitty discover the opposite’s house. It’s the unknowns which are scary for a fearful animal, and going about it this fashion helps to alleviate these fears.
We advocate continuing slowly with this course of. Don’t attempt to rush issues. The aim is to maintain issues optimistic. You recognize your cat finest and perceive when your pet feels uncomfortable. You additionally should construct belief together with your new pet. That takes time, too. Ideally, the primary face-to-face assembly is with a gate or display between the cats. Once more, if both one growls or hisses, separate them.
These conferences are additionally glorious methods to use treats for optimistic reinforcement. Felines are clever. It received’t take them lengthy to kind this affiliation, so long as each pets get rewarded. You also needs to reward them. Your optimistic angle will go a good distance towards bridging the hole.
It is best to supervise fairly a number of conferences between the 2 and keep away from leaving the kitties alone collectively. This might take weeks or months. Additionally, guarantee each has their very own meals bowls, beds, and secure areas that they’ll retreat to.
Remaining Ideas
Two cats can get alongside, however the secret’s to go slowly and observe every animal’s consolation stage. Don’t rush the method, because it’s going to take a while for the 2 to get used to one another. Additionally, remember that some animals might by no means develop into associates, because it actually is determined by every particular person.
Featured Picture Credit score: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
