Our cats are beloved life companions, and it is heartbreaking for everyone involved when they don’t get along with other family members. Cat relationships go wrong for many reasons. Where two or more cats are concerned, for instance, we may not have introduced them properly, or changes in their environment may have impacted their relationship (see the sections on new cat introduction and cat-cat aggression). With regards to cats and dogs, we may have failed to recognize the different ways they communicate, resulting in cat hostility or avoidance (see the section on cats and dogs). In other cases, interactions between cats and children might have proven more problematic than expected. In the eyes of most cats, a child is unpredictable, changeable, and loud—all qualities they don’t appreciate—and children can be too enthusiastic and forget that cats are animals, not toys (see the section on cats and children). Introducing a new partner or housemate also requires patience. We cannot simply expect cats to immediately accept a new human encroaching on their territory. Unfamiliar humans come with new smells, sounds, and behaviors that cats should be allowed to get used to in their own time. If not, the introduction may go wrong, leading your cat to conclude that humans are untrustworthy and should be feared, not loved (see the section on cat-human aggression).
When one cat relationship goes wrong, it often has a ripple effect, and bonds with other family members are affected negatively as well. Distrust in the family dog can lead to aggression towards the human responsible for the dog’s daily walks. Fear of a baby can cause a cat to withdraw from human family members smelling of formula or baby powder, and distrust of a new human partner or housemate can make a cat defensive of beds, couches, and chairs. This behavioral complexity means that we as cat owners are faced with the difficult task of deciphering the exact reason why a cat has suddenly become aggressive, withdrawn, or depressed.
If you are dealing with a challenging cat relationship, Smiling Kitty can help! Our expert training plans will get to the root of your cat’s behavior and show you how to alter it. We will help you improve your cat’s comfort level by reducing stress, anxiety, and discomfort. We will guide you through successful re-introductions where such are needed. With the right assistance from Smiling Kitty, everyone in your family stands a chance at getting along, so please don’t rehome, surrender, or euthanize your cat! Contact us here to set up an appointment!
You can also book a Kitty Spa Day for your cat through Smiling Kitty and have our expert cat behaviorist give your cat special love and attention. Read more here!