Cat Behavior
Cat Fights, Aggression and Stress: An Action Plan to help cats to get along – Modern Cat
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Last update: June 10, 2025
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Michelle Simpson illustrations
One of the most common behavior concerns in the homes of several caps is when cats do not get along. Although with a slow introduction, most cats will adapt to living with other cats, not everyone does. In some cases, conflict signs can be obvious (fighting, whistling and growling). Other times, problems can be more subtle and difficult to detect. It is then that we could see hiding place, lock of resources or signs of stress, such as changes in food behaviors or urination outside the sand box.
Whether their cats are fighting or showing more subtle signs of aggression and stress, these proven strategies will increase harmony in their home of several caps.
How to help cats to get along when they don’t like them
Step 1. Adjust your expectations
Many times, we hope that our current cats behave as our previous cats did. Maybe your previous cats were BFF and curled up and played well together. But not all cats will be friends. In these cases, the objective is not to embrace: the objective is safe coexistence. That could mean that it is better if their cats choose to avoid as much as possible. And it’s fine whenever your cats are happy and relaxed.
Step 2. Collect Cat + Map data
Start understanding what is happening. I encourage customers of my cat behavior to maintain a record of when and where there are conflicts at home. The behavior is rarely random, there are often clear patterns. I also like to draw a map of the house, with the “things” of cats (sandboxes, food, water, beds, scratch posts) clearly labeled.
Where does each cat like to spend their time? What areas use multiple cats? And what only one cat do? This can help you determine the unique and shared territories of each cat. Now add conflict areas to the map and see if there are connections between specific resources and the problems you are observing.
For each important resource (sandboxes, food, water, beds, scratch posts), it needs at least so many of them that have cats.
Step 3. Be sure to have enough cat resources for all
When it comes to cats, more resources are better! You will never be wrong by adding another sand box or cat tree. For each important resource (sandboxes, food, water, beds, scratch posts), you need at least so many of them to have cats, if you have three cats, you need three boxes of minimal sand. Be sure to spread these resources in your home so that all cats can access what they need without competition. Use your map (step 2) to help identify where there are gaps or where the territory of a cat could not have everything they need inside it.
Be sure to give your cats a lot of space at meals. Feeding cats at several feet away, or even in separate rooms, is ideal.
People often make the mistake of feeding cats near each other to try to do them like each other. But keep in mind that cats are not social dining rooms, they hunt the animals of dams that are too small to share. Your instinct is to eat alone, so feeding them can be more stressful than useful. Be sure to give your cats a lot of space at meals. Feeding cats at several feet away, or even in separate rooms, is ideal.
Step 4. Use training (yes, cats can be trained!)
Hopefully we no longer need to inform people that yes, cats can be trained! In addition to training our cats to make cute tricks, we can use training to reward cats for a good behavior with each other.
Training a cat to sit can easily become training your cat to stay. You can train several cats to sit in their places calmly when together, allowing them to win sweets for the behaviors you want to show together.
Through training, you can reward cats for making good decisions in their interactions between them.
You can train a retirement or target in cats (asking them to come to you or touch your nose to a finger offered), as you can for dogs. Now we have tools in our tool kit to prevent cats from persecuting or entering another cat’s personal space. Through training, you can reward cats for making good decisions in their interactions between them.
Step 5. Play with your cats!
As the saying goes, tired pets are happy pets. Interactive play time with wand toys is an excellent way of exercising cats and reducing stress. For scared cats, you can provide a impulse of trust. For hyperactive cats, you can reduce that excess energy. This allows all cats to reach any interaction that feels a little more relaxed.
In a home of several caps, be sure to separate cats for game time as necessary. This prevents a cat from monopolizing the toy, gives everyone the opportunity to play and prevents cats from accidentally jumping each other!
Step 6. Don’t let them fight
If your cats are actively fighting, the time to intervene is now. The fight will not make your cats like the other. Cat fights can cause secondary behavior injuries and problems, such as the avoidance of the sandbox. Talk to your veterinarian and request a reference for a qualified behavior professional.
Cat fights can cause secondary behavior injuries and problems, such as the avoidance of the sandbox.
You may have to separate and reintroduce your cats for a restart of the relationship. Many cat parents can also use management (through baby doors and wall doors) to keep separate cats when they cannot supervise. In some cases, your veterinarian or a veterinarian can suggest behavioral medications to help your cats.
To add …
Unfortunately, some cats are not destined to live together, and in some cases, one or more cats may need to be relocated. But following the steps I have presented for you, you will give your cats the best opportunity to live together in peace, even if they are not better friends.
This article originally appeared on the award -winning Modern cat magazine. Subscribe today!
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