How to Help Your Cats Get Along

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: August 31st, 2023

Sharing your home with more than one cat can be a beautiful thing, as long as everyone gets along. When you have kitties who can’t stand being around each other or, worse yet, get into terrible fights all the time, daily life can be frustrating for them and for you.

Mariya Ilmaz/Shutterstock

Cats can be quite rough when they play together, so it’s necessary to distinguish between playful attacks and truly aggressive behavior that can cause stress and harm. If you know for sure there’s conflict that needs to be resolved, it’s important to learn how to get cats to stop fighting.

With the right strategy, your pets can start to get along and you can have a peaceful multi-cat household. Here are some recommendations you can try, bearing in mind that consistency and patience are key when working with kitties.

First, Figure Out the Reason for the Conflict

To choose the ideal solution for your cats, carefully consider what the cause of the fighting might be. Keep each pet’s temperament in mind, as this can help you resolve conflict effectively while addressing everyone’s preferences and needs.

Are there certain situations that lead to fights? Is something in their environment causing anxiety or stress? Does the fighting happen when one cat is in a bad mood and wants to take it out on another kitty?

You might find that your cats fight when they’re eating near one another, when they need more space away from each other, or even during playtime with their toys. In these cases, it’s a matter of territory and access to the basic things they want, from a cozy napping spot to a place where they can eat and drink without being bothered.

Other things to keep in mind: if there’s activity outside, such as birds at the feeder or stray kitties in your backyard, your cats might get frustrated and let it out on each other through aggressive behavior. Or, if you take one cat to the vet and bring her home, her scent may be so different that your other cat doesn’t recognize her and reacts harshly.

Try Different Remedies to Help Your Cats Get Along

Once you begin to understand the reason why your kitties are acting up, things will become clearer. You’ll be able to remove the triggers of conflict, or at least reduce your cats’ exposure to them, and you’ll select a remedy that is most likely to work at making them feel at ease.

Note: Never punish cats for their behavior. If you see them fighting, you might clap your hands to distract them. And if you think that a fight is about to start, distracting your cats with toys or treats might stop them.

Provide Space and Easy Access to Resources

Making sure each cat has enough space is imperative, especially if they fight when they’re in each other’s way. This can be difficult to achieve if you live in a small house or apartment, but don’t worry because there are clever and creative ways to overcome this challenge.

Give your cats plenty of options in terms of where they can go when they want to be alone. They should be able to claim a space as their own so they can feel safe, secure, and calm (e.g., hammocks, covered beds, tents, sofas).

To provide your pets with more space, hiding places, and areas for relaxing and napping, you can add more cat trees and cat condos throughout your home. Providing vertical space, such as in the form of window perches and wall perches, is also a great idea, especially if you don’t have a lot of floor space.

When it comes to resources, make sure each cat has her own food and water bowls, and if your cats fight when they’re eating near one another, give each kitty her own space to eat in. That way, your pets won’t feel crowded and you won’t have to worry about one cat stealing food from another one’s bowl. Also, provide multiple scratching posts and toys in various spots throughout your house so your cats won’t have to fight over them.

Set up more than one litter box, too. Experts recommend having one box for each cat, along with an extra one. For example, if you have three cats, having four litter boxes spaced apart in different areas is a good idea. This can help ensure all of your frisky felines will have easy access to a clean box.

Use Calming Feline Pheromones

Feline pheromones are only detectable by your cats, so you won’t be able to smell them. They’re available in the form of sprays, diffusers, and collars. Put simply, they work by helping your kitties feel calmer, happier, and less stressed.

When shopping for these products, stick with high-quality options from trusted brands. Avoid products that contain potentially harmful essential oils, and go with those that contain synthetic feline pheromones that mimic the pheromones your cats naturally produce.

A good example that’s worth checking out is the FELIWAY Multicat Diffuser Kit, which can help reduce negative behaviors like fighting, chasing, and blocking. Plug it in to release pheromones into the environment. It’s designed to last 30 days, and you can purchase refills.

Give Each Cat Enough Attention

If one kitty sees that another cat is hogging all of your attention, she might get annoyed and lash out. So, make sure each pet gets enough of your affection, even if you have to separate your cats in different rooms for a short while.

Play with each cat to help her release energy in a positive, rather than aggressive, way. Also, snuggle with her, brush her fur, and give her puzzle toys for mental stimulation.

When everyone is in the same room and getting along, give them treats and praise so you can show them that it’s better when they’re peaceful.

Reintroduce Your Cats

There are specific steps you can follow when introducing cats to one another. Basically, the process involves keeping them separated in different rooms and letting them gradually get used to each other’s scent before letting them interact face-to-face.

Whether your kitties have been fighting from the moment they met or their negative attitude developed more recently, it might be necessary to reintroduce them, especially if the conflicts are so severe that they’re hurting each other.

Ask Your Veterinarian or a Cat Behaviorist for Help

If you try multiple tactics to encourage your kitties to get along but nothing seems to work, a feline behaviorist might be able to pinpoint the cause and address it with the appropriate solution. Also, some cats might behave aggressively if they’re sick or in pain, so talk to a veterinarian to figure out if the cause is a health problem that requires treatment.

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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A multi-pet household is always full of adventures, and even more so when you have both cats and dogs. While there are many fun aspects to sharing your life and your home with multiple pets, there are quite a few challenges, as well – such as making sure everybody’s keeping their nose in their own food bowl. We all know that dogs tend to have healthy appetites and are not picky, which means they’ll often try (and succeed) in eating cat food when given the chance.While not the  worst thing a dog can eat when sharing a home with a cat (litter and its contents seem to be irresistible to some canines), kitty kibble certainly isn’t the best type of food for your dog, either. But what happens if dogs eat cat food? Can it be harmful to them? And are cat and dog foods really that different? Here’s what you need to know.What Happens if a Dog Eats Cat Food?Let’s face it: if a dog eats cat food occasionally, it's usually not a cause for concern. The worst that can happen is an upset stomach or a bit of diarrhea. The main cause is the fact that cat food is formulated differently from dog food, containing higher levels of protein and fat, which can be harder for dogs to digest. If a dog eats cat food regularly, however, it can lead to digestive issues such as upset stomach, diarrhea, or even  pancreatitis due to the higher fat content. In other words, sneaking food from the cat’s bowl once or twice won’t be an issue – but repeated consumption most definitely will. What is more, cat food lacks certain nutrients that dogs need in their diet, such as adequate levels of vitamin E and taurine. So, while an occasional nibble might not harm your dog, it's best to prevent regular access to cat food to avoid potentially considerable health problems.Another reason why doggos should steer clear of cat food on a regular basis is weight gain. Cat food has a quite higher fat content, which can lead to weight gain in dogs. All the excess weight (which can pile up quite quickly) will lead to a lot of health issues, like diabetes or joint issues. If your pooch likes to sample cat food, they might also experience an upset stomach, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea. This is because cat food contains much more protein than the usual dog food. Higher levels of protein are harder to digest for dogs, and this results in gastrointestinal discomfort. A home remedy for an upset tummy in dogs – if it’s due to eating a bit of kitty food – could be providing  dog probiotics in combination with a bland diet for a day or two, until they’re feeling better. 

How Do I Know if My Dog is Afraid?

Experts often talk about the importance of reading your dog’s body language to reduce fear, stress, and anxiety. But do you sometimes struggle to identify if your dog is really scared or if you’re just reading into a situation? Many common dog behaviors can be misinterpreted – fear or calm, comfort or stress. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. We are here to help! This post dives deep into the basics of canine communication and body language. We’ll highlight some of the more subtle body language cues, behavioral changes, and vocalization that you should be looking out for. Plus, we’ll look at the most common situations that trigger fear in dogs, why these situations can be frightening, and how to comfort and support your dog moving forward. What’s the ultimate goal? Ensuring you have the information needed to build your dog’s confidence, improve your communication, and help them enjoy a world free from unnecessary fear and anxiety. Dedicate the time and energy today to set your dog up for long-term success (avoiding potential health complications from too much stress). Common Signs of Fear and Anxiety in Dogs Life as a pet parent would be much easier if our pups could speak up and tell us exactly what they think in each situation. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality we live in. Instead, we must learn to pick up on their non-verbal communication to build a strong and trusting relationship with our furry friends. Here are a few ways they may be trying to tell you that they are feeling “off” or nervous: Body Language One of the most important ways our pets communicate their feelings is through their body language. This includes the way they stand, the way they move, how they hold their ears or their tail, and so much more. Some signs will be obvious, while others will be more subtle. Here are some of the more common signs of fear and stress related to body language: Excessive panting YawningShowing teethLip-licking Puckering of the lips Whale eyes (showing the whites of the eyes)Large, dilated pupils Ears backward or pressed forward Tail up and stiff or down tucked between the legsCowering or standing with the body low to the ground Attempting to hide Displacement behaviors (sneezing, itching)Shaking or trembling Submissive urination Behavior Changes In addition to changes in how your dog stands or positions their body, you may notice some behavioral changes. You may find that your dog tries to back away or avoid their trigger. On the other hand, your dog may become reactive towards a trigger by jumping or lunging at it. Both these reactions signify stress or anxiety, highlighting the importance of getting to know your dog as an individual. For example, we have two male dogs in our house. When presented with a trigger, Lucifer will hold his ground while Indiana tends to back away or hide.You may also notice changes in how your dog reacts to objects or activities in their regular life. Many dogs, even those who are highly food-driven, will be reluctant to eat or take treats when stressed. Vocal Cues Finally, while we are focusing mainly on non-verbal communication, there are some vocalizations that could help you recognize that something is wrong. Dogs who are nervous, anxious, or afraid may bark at their trigger. They may also whine to show that they are uncomfortable.

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Common Garden Plants That Can Send Your Dog into Cardiac Arrest

Spring is finally upon us! For dog owners, spring is always a welcoming sight as it signals the start of longer walks in the park and more time in the garden. The backyard is usually a fun place for you and your pooch to play and run around. However, certain types of plants are dangerous to dogs and can make your backyard a safety hazard. Experts advise that some spring plants and flowers, both indoors and outdoors, can be harmful to your pooch and should be avoided at all costs. Some of these plants are known to cause upset stomachs, itching, vomiting, and, in severe cases, even cardiac arrest in dogs. Craig Wilson, co-founder, director, and gardening expert at Gardeners Dream, has listed the toxic flowers and plants you should keep from the home and garden if you have a dog. DaffodilsDid you know that daffodils, one of the most popular heralds of spring, are poisonous to both cats and dogs? These trumpet-shaped flowers contain a toxic compound called lycorine which causes stomach pain and diarrhea when ingested. Bulbs are the most toxic part of the daffodil plant, but dogs can also get sick after consuming the flowers. Even drinking the water from a vase that contains daffodils can cause toxicity in dogs.Tulips All parts of the tulip plant - bulbs, stems, leaves, and flowers - are toxic to both cats and dogs. The bulb stores the highest concentration of toxins, making it the most toxic part of the plant. Most dogs will experience drooling, diarrhea, and vomiting after consuming tulips. In severe cases, dogs can experience heart problems and difficulty breathing.IrisesColorful and hardy irises are a popular flower in many household gardens. Unfortunately, irises are toxic to dogs and can make your pooch sick if ingested or touched. Irises contain irisin, a toxic compound that triggers tissue irritation when swallowed or touched. The bulbs and rhizomes hold the highest concentration of irisin, making this plant particularly hazardous to dogs who like to dig.Hyacinths Many people like planting hyacinths in their gardens, but these tall and vibrant plants are harmful to dogs. Hyacinths belong to the same family as tulips and contain calcium oxalate crystals. These crystals are present in all areas of the plant and are shaped like needles. When ingested, these crystals can pierce a dog’s soft tissues, causing severe pain.Symptoms of hyacinth poisoning also include diarrhea, vomiting, abnormal breathing, increased heart rate, and convulsions. If you suspect your pooch has ingested any part of the hyacinth plant, take them to the vet as soon as possible. BluebellsAll parts of the bluebell plant contain a toxic compound called glycosides. Not only are bluebells harmful to cats and dogs, but this plant is also toxic to horses and cattle. If any part of the bluebell plant is consumed, it can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. When eaten in large quantities, bluebells can be fatal.Hydrangeas Many gardeners love the look of hydrangeas in the spring and fall, but dog owners beware - hydrangeas are toxic to dogs. Dogs can become poisoned from eating any part of the hydrangea plant, as they all contain cyanogenic glycoside.Chewing plants with this toxic compound releases cyanide and can result in loss of appetite, vomiting, depression, and increased heart rate. Munching on the flowers, buds, leaves, or bark of the hydrangea plant can make dogs sick, so keep a close eye on your pooch whenever they are sniffing around a hydrangea plant.These are just some of the most common plants that can make your dog sick, but there are more! If your pooch likes to munch on plants, it’s best not to leave them unsupervised in the garden.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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