CO-EXISTENCE OF MULTIPLE CATS IN A HOME

 

WRITTEN BY XENA

As we know, CATS are ANIMALS with character and do only what they want, they do not tolerate any changes and they like routine. They are often jealous. What is the mutual coexistence of multiple CATS in a home? We will deal with this topic in this text. 

The relationship between two or more CATS depends on their first meeting. Getting to know each other can be very demanding. If they get to know each other in the right way, it will affect their further relationship, which in that case can become even friendly. 

Any aggressiveness should not be tolerated, as it could mark their future relationship. CATS that have grown up with several CATS will accept a newcomer more quickly than a CAT that is used to being the only one. 

Aggressive, sick, non-sterilized, visually impaired, and deaf CATS will also show displeasure upon introduction. The direction in which their future relationship will develop largely depends on the individual character of each individual CAT. So, for example, if it is about dominant CATS, it is very likely that there will be a conflict over shared resources or the owner's attention. 

The best prospects for adaptation are

 

1. KITTENS peers and young CATS of the same age, because they will learn and communicate with each other through play, 

2. KITTENS and adult females, because of the maternal instinct. Moreover, they will teach them a lot. 

3. Adult males, if they are friendly towards other PETS. 

Acquaintance must not be stressful and must take place under supervision, in order to avoid possible conflicts over territory, food, toys, etc., and CATS themselves will establish a social hierarchy in the group. Just before the introduction, it is recommended to take the "newcomer" to the vet, to avoid the possibility of infecting other CATS and other PETS, if you have them. 

Keep in mind that you must provide adequate living space for a large number of CATS. 10 square meters per CAT is recommended. If you live in a house, it would be preferable to have a fenced area around it for CATS to live in the summer months.

 

Here are some tips from my own experience and on the recommendation of a veterinarian for a successful CO-EXISTENCE OF MULTIPLE CATS IN A HOME, which will enable you to support the newcomer, but also not to neglect your current PETS.

• Upon the arrival of a new CAT or KITTEN in the house, isolate it from other PETS, and gradually introduce them to them and their new living environment. Let your new PET gradually explore the house or apartment by leaving it in each room for a short time.
• Accustom the newcomer to her own space.
• Provide the security of the territory to the previous PETS (let them feel safe in their territory) and continue to pay them enough attention, and respect the privileges that they had before the arrival of the new CAT. Give equal attention to both old and new PETS and do not encourage their rivalry. This would mean if you are petting one of them on your lap, and the other is sitting next to you, take the other CAT on your lap and pet them together. In the event that one chases the other away from your lap, stop petting both CATS, and remove the aggressor from the lap. This will prevent one CAT from getting more attention than the other, which is very important for them because they want the same attention.
• Get the CATS used to each other's scents. A good way to do this is to give toys to the newcomer or give the cot to the old PET and vice versa. Also, you can rub the new CAT with some cloth, and then give that cloth to the current PET. In addition, it is recommended to change the rooms in which they stay. And, if you want to speed up the process of getting to know each other CATS through smell, simply buy a spray with synthetic pheromones and continue to follow the instructions on it.
• Try to feed all your CATS together, i.e. in the same room, but each one must eat from its own bowl, which must be close to each other. If they resent it, be patient, because they will get used to it in time.
• Encourage them to play together or cuddle. In case of aggressiveness of one of them, stop the activity that you noticed that she enjoys. This will make them realize that it is unprofitable to be aggressive.
• Reward any positive behavior of your PET with a TREAT, and ignore bad behavior.
• Provide each PET with privacy, i.e. a space where they will feel safe and comfortable, a special bowl for food and water, a special sandbox, toys, etc. Later they will exchange all these things, but in the beginning, privacy is very important.

The mutual coexistence of our CATS largely depends on us, their owners. We cannot encourage them to love and accept each other, but we can provide them with all the essential factors that will create a positive environment and thereby encourage them to adapt and live well with others.

 "We take care of our pets as for ourselves."