Why Does My Cat Hate Different Cats? 7 Potential Causes

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Cats thrive in varied environments and may dwell fortunately with others in feral colonies, with one or two companions, or on their very own. Nonetheless, home cats are, by nature, solitary creatures who hunt on their very own and are territorial. They’re programmed to keep away from encroaching on different’s house to keep away from huge useful resource competitors and battle. In case your cat dislikes different felines, they might not have spent a lot time with unrelated cats after they have been kittens.

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Territoriality, Battle Decision, and Change

Cats are most comfy after they have territories of their very own to command, they usually is probably not effectively suited to battle decision since they didn’t develop in social teams. Unrelated cats dwelling with one another can create stress, as these conditions usually set off cats’ territorial instincts, notably if there’s useful resource competitors.

Some cats, notably those that have lived with others since kittenhood, benefit from the presence of different cats, whereas those that have spent plenty of time on their very own are sometimes lower than thrilled when requested to share house.

Introducing a brand new feline to the house brings modifications, which might be notably tough for grownup cats who’ve lived their complete lives as singletons to regulate to, which may result in stress and aggressive conduct together with issues similar to spraying and extreme grooming. Different frequent indicators of feline stress embody abdomen points, extreme scratching, withdrawal, and lack of urge for food.

tabby cat spraying outdoors to mark territory
Picture Credit score: Helen Liam, Shutterstock

The 7 Components That Trigger Cats to Dislike Being Round Different Cats

Whether or not a cat will get alongside effectively with different cats has a terrific deal to do with their age, background, and character, however different components also can play a task, similar to how they have been socialized and whether or not your cat’s character meshes effectively with that of the opposite cat.

1. Lack of Socialization

Cats that don’t obtain ample socialization whereas younger typically have problem understanding easy methods to work together with different cats. Socialization includes exposing kittens to totally different conditions and animals to permit them to grow to be comfy navigating unfamiliar conditions, being dealt with by folks, and interacting with different pets.

Kittens are most open to the method between 2 and seven weeks outdated. Cats that by no means actually discovered easy methods to play effectively with others typically exhibit conduct that’s not appreciated by different cats and may simply be interpreted as aggression.


2. Solely Cat Preferences

Cats that develop up alone after shifting to their endlessly properties typically don’t benefit from the firm of different cats. These accustomed to dwelling alone might not react effectively if requested to share house with one other cat, even briefly.

Grieving cats that lately misplaced a feline companion can typically discover the presence of latest cats or canine within the residence to be nerve-racking, which may result in less-than-welcoming conduct.

cats fighting
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3. Routine Disruption

Most cats take pleasure in routine; it’s a part of how they perceive the passage of time. Since cats can’t depend on clocks to find out how late it’s and what exercise ought to come subsequent, they sometimes depend on exterior clues from common actions to inform them what to anticipate subsequent throughout the day.

Important disruptions, similar to introducing one other cat to the house, can create stress for some cats. They’ve a better time accepting different cats when the introductions are taken slowly, and each pets have time to grow to be used to the opposite. Cats which can be feuding can relax if given sufficient time aside and reintroduced to one another slowly.


4. Territoriality

Cats are territorial creatures which can be usually not concerned about sharing their house with others. Cats use pheromones to mark their territory and let others know to remain away. They’ve scent glands round their chins and whiskers and in between their paw pads.

Cats additionally use urine to mark their territory, and people who aren’t used to dwelling with others can typically go into territorial overdrive when triggered by the presence of a brand new cat. Spaying and neutering can cut back issues with their territory and different behavioral points.

cat fight
Picture Credit score: Tatiana Kovaleva, Shutterstock

5. Useful resource Competitors

Pets in multi-cat households can battle over assets if requested to share issues similar to scratching posts and cat timber. One useful resource per cat, plus an additional, is an effective guideline for preserving issues calm in multi-pet properties.

Having no less than three water bowls for 2 cats, positioned effectively aside from one another, for example, can forestall aggressive cats from blocking the opposite’s entry to assets. Put meals, water bowls, and litter containers in varied to make it straightforward for pets to satisfy their fundamental wants with out participating in undesirable interactions. You’ll be able to present a number of scratching posts, beds, toys, and cat timber so the cats don’t should share.


6. Maternal Instincts

Queens who’ve simply given start can typically lash out aggressively to maintain different cats at a distance, notably when their kittens are younger. Mom cats strongly want to present start and spend the primary few weeks after delivering kittens in calm, quiet environments.

They’ll usually transfer kittens from one place to a different in the event that they’re involved in regards to the degree of exercise. Queens who’re actively attempting to maintain a cat away from her kittens might hiss, growl, and even chunk the intruder to encourage them to maintain shifting. These points normally resolve as soon as kittens are a bit stronger and in a position to get round on their very own.

mother cat with kittens
Picture Credit score: Karen Hogan, Shutterstock

7. Differing Personalities

Some cats don’t get alongside completely effectively with one cat however have zero curiosity in hanging out with others. Assured and spunky cats might not mesh effectively with timid pets, and two assertive, unrelated, unneutered male cats of the identical age might have problem being round one another with out aggression making an look. Older cats could also be extra inclined to just accept kittens, however senior cats might not take pleasure in coping with energetic felines.

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Are There Methods to Assist Cats Get Alongside?

Along with having ample assets to reduce competitors between pets, there are additionally different steps you’ll be able to take to encourage peace, similar to guaranteeing cats have plenty of time to regulate to the opposite’s presence and ensuring they’ve secure methods to get away from one another when conditions grow to be too heated.

Hiding Locations and Perches

You’ll be able to set up a number of excessive perches to supply locations for cats to flee when feeling burdened. Cozy hiding locations the place they will relaxation in peace also can go a good distance in direction of defusing battle.

Distraction

As soon as patterns of aggression get began, they’re usually exhausting to cease, so placing an finish to conflicts earlier than they progress is necessary to sustaining a relaxed surroundings. Distracting cats with loud noises or toys usually persuade them to interact in different actions.

Coaching

Cats typically reply effectively to constructive reinforcement; punishment can improve stress ranges and make issues worse. Rewarding cooperative conduct and giving worked-up cats time to chill out alone can typically result in fewer family fireworks. Separating cats and giving them time to get to know one another (once more) slowly beneath managed circumstances may additionally assist, and behavioral therapists can present professional steerage as effectively.

himalayan cat eating treat
Picture Credit score: Piqsels

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Conclusion

Cats share many behaviors with their wild kinfolk, they usually haven’t been domesticated for very lengthy. Cats within the wild want dwelling and looking independently, however they will dwell in teams or pairs.

Cats are territorial; they wish to dwell and hunt in areas largely off-limits to different cats. Once they dwell in teams, the members are sometimes associated, and there’s normally little useful resource competitors. Unrelated companion cats can grow to be burdened when requested to share house largely as a result of their innate territoriality, however how cats react to others additionally has to do with components similar to character sort and degree of socialization.


Featured Picture Credit score: Konstantin Dem, Shutterstock

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