Thinking of adopting a second cat? Here are some tips that can increase your chances for establishing a peaceful multi-cat home. Don't worry too much about the gender of the cats involved. Age and temperament are the most important factors.
If you have a young cat at home and want a second, consider adopting one kitten of the opposite sex, as same-sex cats are much more prone to fight each other for dominance. Your resident cat will still be young enough to recall having fun with her littermates, and the new kitten will be more than happy to oblige.
As long as both pets are spayed or neutered, the sex of the cats doesn't matter; it's temperament and age you'll want to take into consideration.
Male (neutered) cats are generally believed to be more accepting of other cats, both male and female. Even though this has not been my experience, female cats may not get along as well with each other.
Each cat will need their own resources, plus one extra
As cats don't like to share, they'll each need their own food bowl, water bowl, litter tray, scratch post and bed, plus a spare. So if you have two cats, you'll need three of everything.
With time it should be possible to introduce a new cat into an existing household, but this may take days, weeks, or months for a successful gradual introduction. Even with great care some adult cats never accept another adult cat into the home.
For cats that are left on their own for long periods each day, it is a good idea to consider providing another cat for company. Sociable interaction with another cat can greatly enrich their daily lives. The younger they are when introduced, the greater the chances of their getting on amicably most of the time.
Cats are a territorial species. While some cats overlap their territories a great deal, others prefer to keep a good distance from their neighbors. Two unrelated males or two unrelated females may have a particularly hard time sharing space. Another cause of strife may be a feline personality clash.
You just have to be calm, encourage the cats to play and eat together, separate them if there's aggression, and BE PATIENT. The cats will need to first get used to each other, and then establish their social order in the household. But they usually DO work it out.
They will usually try to avoid each other if a friendship doesn't develop, but sometimes fights break out and, unfortunately, persist until one cat has to be re-homed. Two males, two females, or even a male-female pair can get along as long as they are introduced at a young age.
Younger cats have a lot more of it, and that might not mix well with the laid-back mature cat. Cats of the same age tend to be the best match. Having said that, older cats sometimes enjoy younger house friends, especially if they have spent most of their life with another cat.
You should expect the introduction process to take no less than a week but could take much longer depending on your cats' temperaments.
The ideal number of litter boxes for a multi-cat household is one for each cat and an extra box more for security, however, if you cannot afford this or if your cats are trained to use one litter box, it is okay to use the regular one, but it is still best recommended to use the self-cleaning or automatic litter box as ...
Two Can Be Better Than one
Cats can get territorial if they don't have enough individual space, so if your home or apartment is small or cluttered, two might not be the best choice. To avoid potential conflict between pets, try to adopt young cats at the same time.
Follow this simple rule: one box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, you should have three boxes. Making sure everyone has their space can help ease elimination issues. Some owners prefer a hooded box, but some cats don't like them.
Don't interfere in their interaction unless necessary—Some hissing and growling are normal and will stop as the older cat gets used to the kitten. Step in and separate the cats only when the situation escalates.
Warning signs would be flattened ears, twitching tail and hissing, if you see any of these warning signs, you may be in for a bit of a battle when the two first initially meet.
Age and temperament are the most important factors. Adult cats will usually accept a new kitten much more easily than they will accept a new adult cat. Cats are territorial, and your cat may resent an adult feline intruder.
Fortunately, neutered and spayed cats are much more likely to get on well together than intact adult cats. Generally, female cats tend to be more accepting of new cats into their home. They are more likely to accept another female cat than a male cat.
When introducing a new cat into your household, gender is generally less important than matching energy level, age, size, and personalities.
Single kitten syndrome is the idea that young kittens, when raised with other young kittens and cats and then adopted into a home by themselves, can become aggressive, anxious, stressed, and even develop behavioral issues like inappropriate chewing/scratching and inappropriately using the litterbox.
Give cats treats so they spend time close to each other or play with a feather to encourage play. Do not use catnip. When comfortable with each other they will sniff noses, play through the door or rub against the door. When you see this, you can have a proper introduction.
Pairs Make Happier Pet Owners
By sharing cat toys, litter boxes, lounge areas and beds, having a bonded pair costs roughly the same as having a single cat. Plus, since one cat will need a regular feeding and litter box cleaning schedule, adding one more won't feel like twice the work.
Cats don't always get on, even young kittens, and introducing a new one can be a long, loud process. All the experts say the same thing though: Don't rush it. Expect a month or two months before things settle. On the day you get your new cat, you should keep the animals completely separate.