Behaviour and training | PETS
http://www.facebook.com/petsmagazine August 61
Although pet cats are domesticated and
we provide them with everything they need,
they still retain instincts and behaviours in
common with their wild-living relatives and
remain highly territorial. This means they
often perceive another cat in their territory
as a threat. This can cause some cats to feel
stressed and anxious leading to aggression,
spraying and other behavioural problems. This
scenario is commonly seen in multi-cat homes
when a new kitten or adult cat is introduced
into a home with one or more resident adult
cats, particularly if the resident cat was not
well socialised to other cats as a kitten and
hasn’t previously lived with another cat. This
can cause perceived competition for access
to high-value resources including litter trays,
elevated spaces, scratch posts, food and water
dishes, toys and attention from the owner.
Neighbourhood cats roaming into another
cat’s territory can also have the same effect. So
if you have an older cat that doesn’t seek out
the company of other cats or outright detests
their presence, you may want to think twice
about getting another one.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Some cats
living in the same home get along like a house
on fire. This often happens when both cats
were well socialised to other cats as kittens
and if the cats were introduced into the home
together when young. The temperament and
personality of each cat is also important. Some
cats enjoy socialising with others, whereas
other cats do not. Some like to play rough,
while others prefer a more hands-off approach
to companionship. Space is also an important
consideration. If you live in a small unit, two
cats may not be a good decision, whereas a
large home with plenty of space can easily
accommodate several cats.
If you’ve decided two cats is better than
one, the best way to go about it is to bring two
(unrelated) well-socialised, friendly kittens into
your home at the same time. Two kittens of the
opposite sex and a similar age are considered
the best choice as two males can be more
likely to fight. Ensure you provide each kitten
with its own food and water bowl, bed,scratch post, cat tower and litter tray. This
will help reduce any competition for access
to these high-value resources. If your cats
are indoor only, ensure you provide at least
one litter tray per cat plus an additional tray.
Place the litter trays in different areas as
two trays together are often considered to
be one toileting area to the cats. Consider
providing access to some safe outdoor space.
This is highly valued by most cats as it offers
the opportunity to smell, explore, play and
sunbake, and helps keep them happy, even
though they cannot roam around.INTRODUCING CAT
NUMBER TWO
If you decide to bring a new cat into a
home with an existing cat, it’s best to go
with a friendly and social kitten. Ensure you
separate the kitten initially and take the
introduction process slowly. Set the kitten up
with everything it needs in a separate room
or area of the house. Allow the cats to come
together during brief supervised sessions and
ensure your cat and kitten have some distance
between them. Use high-value treats and
play with fun toys to initially create a positive
association between them. As the sessions
progress, use treats and play as rewards for
calm and friendly behaviour towards one
another. With a little time, patience and
repetition, your resident cat and new kitten
should learn to get along.
Two cats can be better than one, but this
isn’t always the case. With a little research,
time preparation and patience, you can reap
the benefits of twice the feline fun!PLF070_pg060-061_Two Cats Better Than One.indd 61PLF070_pg060-061_Two Cats Better Than One.indd 61 6/28/2017 1:59:40 PM6/28/2017 1:59:40 PM