This blog is being moved.

Follow me to the NEW blog, by clicking on the box! The Way of Cats Blog


It's not easy moving a blog, but it's much easier than moving house, I think I can say that now.

I am shutting down these articles. Some will appear, more or less reworked, in the new home of the blog, as seen at left. Moving over there will mean not missing anything, except for the posts that have become outdated, such as specific instances of the kitten, RJ, growing up.

Just click on the name of a post (at right, in the red gadget) to get started reading at the new home!

That's, The Way of Cats Blog.

Cats Don't Get Along: Bad Beginnings

The number one concern in multiple cat households, and the trepidation point in acquiring more, is how the cats will get along together. Whether we already have a problem, or simply fear developing one, we need to understand the cat dynamics of friendship and antagonism so we can guide our cat civilization towards harmony.

Cats are social creatures, but it's not such a strong imperative that it will overcome all barriers. Cats can need help in seeing the advantages of living with other cats; even if they are only advantages that we have to create and nurture.


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The roots of this antagonism can be inadvertently planted by our own actions. Inadequate introductions is the cause of much cat friction. Cats have a finely tuned sense of their territorial responsibilities and obligations. A cat suddenly appearing in their territory is obviously up to no good.

Remember, to cats, the unknown is always something they prefer to avoid. The unknown has to hang around, neutrally, long enough for their curiosity to overcome their trepidation. Then they will feel confident enough to investigate and come to new conclusions.

If we decide that we have botched our introductions, we can, especially if the relationship is at an early stage, reintroduce the cats in question. Let the newer cat have a room to themselves, and let the more established cat explore the relationship at their own pace. This will defuse tensions, let each cat have a breathing space, and smooth out wrinkles instead of pounding them into the cat relationship.

Rushed introductions are likely to trigger trouble between two adults, but any cat under sufficient stress is going to be that much more sensitive to how they will regard new cats. First impressions are important. Misunderstandings, allowed to fester, will only increase the stress.

To defuse what has become an uncomfortable situation, we need to make sure our impression of what the cats are doing to and with each other is the right one. Sometimes we can be surprised that the cat we thought was being the victim was actually annoying the other cat until the annoyed one gets physical.

Getting an accurate picture of the behaviors that are contributing to the problem is vital. Once we have sorted out a better picture of what is going on, we must be the Boss of Cat Town. We must support the cat who needs support and retrain the cat who needs retraining.

So when we see the two cats start to circle each other, growl, puff their tails, or otherwise show displeasure, we sweet talk the cat who needs support, We tell the one who started it that we want everyone to get along. If both cats start it, we praise a cat, dog, or human who does get along, even if that being is not present. Their name will remind the two cats who are angry at each other just what behavior we like.

Then we let the cats think of something else. If the problem is still at the lashing tail stage, but no one is growling, we can distract them with a toy or a treat that they have to both eat together or not at all. The key is to shape the behavior we want, in way that will not add stress to the cats.

Disperse cats eager to mix it up with a spritz of plain water. This will impress upon them that it isn't worth it.

Try ways of bringing down the stress level in the house with Feliway aromatherapy, catnip parties, playing soft music and singing along, anything that lets the cats have shared moments of happiness.

That's the only way the cats are going to change their minds about each other. If there are better memories, and rewards for getting along, that will crowd out the bad feelings they have about each other.


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Ten Ways Cats are Better Than Dogs

A fan let me know how much she liked a previous post where I explained what to do about a person's objections to having a cat. She was happy to hear someone "dispelling the myths" about cats.

Then I ran across this post: where someone said I Hate Cats | Cats and Kittens: She’s obviously got pre-conceived notions and I don’t think anything I said would have made the slightest difference.

Often, dog and cat fans defend their love of dogs by denigrating the others choice of pet. Far too often, cats have the deck stacked against them. Someone can say they don't like cats, and half the room might agree. Someone can say they don't like dogs, and they lose the whole room.

Because, it must be admitted, there are at least ten ways cats are better than dogs.


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10: Cats like to be clean and tidy. Dogs, don't.

9: Cats don't need to be walked.

8: Cats arrive already litter trained.

7: Dogs chew apart sofas. Cats are capable of disassembling small devices. Just not putting them back together again. Your odds of reassembly are far better with a cat.

6: Cats leave their vomit around, true. Dogs eat theirs, and throw it up again.

5: People need to take classes to learn how to train the dog. Cats will gladly train us.

4: Cats leave our crotches alone.

3: Cats leave our guests' crotches alone.

2: A cat might do a "Chuck Berry" across the floor when we entertain our future mother-in-law. But a dog might dig used underwear out of the hamper and drop them in her lap.

And, number one:

1: A cat can be spoiled.

Spoiling dogs is a tricky business. Dogs need authority as much as they need affection, and many people find this difficult.

A pet lover can't do better than a cat. Because cats just get better with spoiling.


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Got here from a Link or Search?
There's more to The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my LATEST CAT ADVICE.