How To Train Incompatible Cats
To Get Along With Each Other

By Teri Champigny

It is not uncommon to have more than one cat in a household. However, there will be times when these cats have a hard time getting along with each other. In order to alleviate this disruption of your cats' livelihood, you must implement “group sessions”.

Practicing regular group sessions will avoid fights and help your cats become more comfortable with one another. Group sessions are also a fantastic way for that shy and intimidated cat to start participating in play fun instead of sitting on the sidelines afraid of the other cats.  However, this type of technique can only work for the shy cat if you also have a more dominant cat that needs fixing.

Another advantage of group play sessions is that it enables you to spend time with all of your beloved cats, especially on days when you do not have the time nor the energy to bond with them all.

Ideally, you should begin the group session with only two to three cats at one time. Be sure to place together cats that have the same energies and are already seen as getting along. Those that are in the same group should have similar behaviors.  If you are dealing with only a couple of cats that do not get along at all, then be sure to have the group session with only those two cats. This will enable them to get along faster because of the extra attention you're providing.

To begin a group session you will need two interactive toys.  One toy should be held in each hand.  It may be difficult and awkward in the beginning to handle two toys while moving both hands, but this practice gets much easier in time. The reason for having two toys is so your cats will not compete with each other.  If you have multiple cats that are all trying to focus on one toy, then they will spend all of their energy trying to get to the toy first. This will defeat the purpose of your main objective of the game, which is to try to get the cats to bond with each other.

Essentially the entire concept of group session is that you will be playing with two or more cats at one time but your cats will be putting their attention on different toys.  For example, you may have two cats that are learning to play with each other on your left side while you move the toy around and you may have another two cats on your right side trying to play with the other toy.  As you play this group session, the two groups are learning to coexist with each other while expressing their interest in their toys which are separate.

With practice and time, your cats will learn the art of playing with each other and having fun instead of fighting and competing.  You may also recruit the help of another family member which further creates more fun ways for the cats to play together and get along with one another.