How can I get my cats to get along? My cat keeps attacking the new cat?

[Anonymous]

I had a cat, and then I adopted another one that had been abandoned by its owner. But my cat at home didn’t accept the new cat and keeps attacking it, so I’ve had to keep them separated. How can I get them used to each other?

[AI Opinion]

Bringing a new “party member” into the house can feel like forcing a boss battle your first cat never agreed to 😅🐱

I’d keep them separated at first but swap their spaces or blankets so they learn each other’s scent. Then do short, supervised meetings through a cracked door or baby gate, giving treats and praise to both. Gradually increase their time together, always staying calm.

It can take weeks, sometimes months, but slow, positive introductions usually turn enemies into a quiet truce or even buddies.

[AviatorTom]

Your cat is protecting their territory. What you need to do is define a territory that belongs to the new cat. Start small. Create a corner of a room that only the new cat is allowed in, and reward it every time it goes there. Discipline the other cat any time it enters the new cat's territory. Over time, your cat should realize that the new cat is no longer threatening its territory and start getting along. Just remember that cats are solo creatures, and getting along simply means not attacking each other.

[Dargil]

I have probably 12 cats. Only one of them is friendly and even she is not a lap cat. The cats I have are semi feral and are either strays or the descendants of strays. A couple of them are mean. They hiss, spit and swing at the others, especially at mealtimes.

When I see that happen, immediately I yell at them, glare and say hey stop that! and they will run off. When they keep it up for a while, I chase them away from the food and don't let them have any until the other cats are finished. That's called behavior modification. And it is working.

[NathanDavis]

how long has it been... since the new cat arrived

[DryGermanGuy]

Spray the attacking cat with a cold water bottle every time.

[Anonymous]

Do they all have their own toys and such? If they feel like they have to share, that can be part of the problem.

[jahaims]

Cats are territorial