Which animals make the best friends for your cat?

“A cat’s affinity with other animals, whether they’re of the same species or not, will depend a lot on how it has been socialized with its mother and littermates, as well as its character,” says Celia Alesanco, a feline ethologist at Sanicat, a company that manufactures kitty litter. In general, cats tend to get along best with other members of their species and with dogs.

The socialization period for house cats lasts until they are around 16 weeks old, and is key to its later interactions with people and other animals. “If an early introduction is made correctly, it will be much easier for the cat to share its home with other animals down the line. But if it’s done badly, that can generate fear and aversion towards new companions,” Alesanco says.

In general, young animals are more flexible when it comes to adapting to different situations. “For example, if they are born surrounded by sheep, chickens and horses, it will seem totally natural for cats to spend time around those species,” explains Helena-Bat, a psychologist who specializes in ethology and animal wellness. Still, older cats can also live happily with other animal companions. “Despite the fact that cats are more receptive to socializing when they are kittens, that doesn’t mean that an older feline can’t get used to the presence of other animals — just that the process will be a bit more complex,” says the ethologist. Helena-Bat says that middle-aged adult cats exhibit a range of behaviors: “Each one has its own personality and response to interacting with other living beings.”

A cat’s character also influences its way of relating to other animals. “Some establish unexpected ties, while others simply coexist alongside other animals in the home. Links can be formed with dogs, but also rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters. With smaller rodents and birds, it’s important to supervise interactions, because the cat’s hunter’s instinct can take over,” says Alesanco.

Each cat is different, so it’s impossible to generalize when it comes to what kind of attitude they will have towards living with other animals. “In some situations, a cat who is already living in a home will perfectly integrate with new companions, while in other cases, adopting a well-socialized cat can result in a harmonious coexistence with the rest of the members of the family,” says Alesanco. But she warns that other cases can be quite different: “Even if you’ve evaluated the cat’s temperament and properly socialized them with other species, it could be that they don’t adapt to another animal and that they are unable to successfully live together.”

The most difficult time for a cat in terms of easily connecting with other companions is when they are more than 10 years old or when they are ill. “An older cat, especially if they are female or have an illness, will find changes more difficult and more stressful. In these cases, it’s advisable to focus on the needs of the animal so it can be as comfortable as possible,” says Helena-Bat.

Recommendations for integrating another animal into your cat’s life

When your animal family is due to grow and already involves a feline member, it’s good to keep in mind the following tips towards achieving pet harmony. Ethologist Celia Alesanco recommends the following:

• Look for an animal with a compatible personality. For example, if your current cat is very mellow, avoid bringing them home a hyperactive companion.
• Bring a sense of calmness and patience to the animals’ first interactions to avoid generating conflict. In some situations, coexistence will happen easily and quickly, and in others, it will be a longer process. Either way, it’s best to keep the animals separated initially if you’re not there to supervise, especially if there are small rodents or birds involved, because their lives could be at risk if the cat decides to hunt them.
• Monitor the environment in which the animals spend time together, including details like keeping their rest and feeding areas separate from one another. During their first interactions, you can opt to install a gate that allows them to smell and see each other, but precludes any possibility of physical conflict. Once they make it through this separation period, it is still advisable to continue monitoring their interactions at all times, especially when one of the animals is smaller.

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