As social animals, humans imagine that every other creature must always feel the need for a companion. However, that’s not the case with cats. In the wild, cats usually live alone, guarding their territory against other felines so that they always have enough food and water.
Nevertheless, if you’ve decided that you want another cat, knowing how to handle the new duo is not dissimilar to bringing in a new baby!
• Introduce your new pet slowly. The cats need to see each other as belonging to the same social group.
• Give them a bit of space. They will need room away from each other when they need it, including space up high.
• You should ensure there is no competition over resources such as food, water, beds and toys.
Even with your best efforts, it might be some time before they settle down. If you see them hissing, swiping at one another and fighting, avoiding each other, or fighting over food or spaces, don’t just expect the conflict to disappear without some action from you.
Again, it’ll be space and resources you need to separate. Don’t force them to spend time together as this will only make things worse. Given enough time, they should learn to cohabit. They should start seeking each other’s company, grooming and sleeping close together.
