How to Reintroduce Cats Who Don't Get Along

Not all cats become best friends at first sight. Some start as rivals, sizing each other up with narrowed eyes and raised tails. Maybe they used to get along but something changed. Maybe they never did. Either way, you need a reset. Here’s how to get two cats back on track — and keep the peace long-term.

Start from scratch

If tensions are high, separate them. Give each cat their own space with food, water, a litter box, and hiding spots. Let them decompress. Cats don’t forgive and forget; they reset and reframe.

“The key is to remove the stressor and give them time,” says feline behaviourist Jackson Galaxy. “Don’t force an interaction. Let them re-learn how to share a home.”

Scent before sight

Swap bedding or rub a cloth on one cat’s cheeks and place it near the other. This gets them used to each other’s smell in a non-threatening way.

Controlled meetings

Once they’ve accepted the scent swap, introduce them visually — through a baby gate, cracked door, or mesh screen. Watch their body language. No hissing, no growling? That’s progress. Keep these meetings short and positive.

The power of positive associations

Every meeting should be linked to something good. Feed them on opposite sides of a door, play with them at the same time (but separately), or give treats when they’re calm around each other. They need to believe that good things happen when the other cat is around.

Read the room

Cats communicate through their tails, ears, and body posture. Pinned ears, puffed tails, and stiff postures mean back off. Slow blinking, relaxed tails, and neutral body language mean progress. Never punish a cat for reacting negatively. It’ll just create more fear and tension.

Respect their boundaries

Some cats will never be best mates. That’s fine. They just need to tolerate each other without constant stress. Give them vertical space to escape. (Cat trees, shelves, window perches are all good options.) And separate feeding stations to avoid competition.

Be patient

Some cats adjust in days. Others take months. Go at their pace. If things escalate, go back a step. “Success is measured in small wins, not instant friendship,” says feline expert Mikel Delgado. “Give them time to build trust.”

Reintroducing cats is about respect, patience, and reading their cues. Get it right, and you’ll go from enemies to peaceful co-existence — or, if you’re lucky, a bonded pair curled up in the sun.

Need help with a cat who’s causing chaos? Let us know on our Facebook group. We’ve got your back.

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