EASY STEPS TO HELP YOUR CATS GET ALONG

Look for Triggers

Look for triggers that might be stressing your cats, causing them to take their tension out on each other. For example, a stray cat wandering outside at night might make your cats so upset they start hissing and clawing at each other. Or a cat that just returned from the vet might have an unusual smell that causes your other cat not to recognize her.

Try to minimize any triggers if you can find them. You might want to close the window shades at night if that's a trigger, or even set up motion-activated sprinklers outside to deter strays from wandering too close.

Reintroduce Your Cats

Sometimes cats were introduced poorly and always had tension with each other. Or one cat might have been startled by a sudden noise when the other cat was around, and now that fear has been "misdirected" onto the innocent cat.

Whatever the situation, you might need to reintroduce your cats if they've had ongoing tension. A new introduction can help them start making positive associations again. Keep them in separate rooms for a few days or weeks, and sometimes swap towels and other items so they can "smell" each other. Even switch rooms from time to time.

Feed them on opposite sides of a closed door to help build positive associations. Then use a screen door, so they can see each other. When your cats can eat near each other without hissing or tensing up, slowly crack open the door. Then give them supervised visits together. If one cat tenses up, redirect his attention to a catnip toy or treat. Over time, they'll likely start getting along again. Just remember, this process can sometimes take weeks, and that's okay. Give your cats the time and space they need.

If you're wondering if your cats will ever get along again, the answer is they likely will. They just need a little intervention on your part to help them create a purrrfect truce. Giving them their own territory and reintroducing them to each other can help bring peace back to your home.