When two cats in the house do not get along with each other or the second pet has appeared quite recently, some inexperienced owners or novice specialists advise feeding two feuding animals together, placing bowls with food nearby.
But this is a big mistake, which only provokes aggression in cats.
Why Cats Shouldn't Be Feeded Together
You can't feed two feuding cats together (meaning next to each other). People think that if the pets eat peacefully next to each other, it means they have made peace. But it's the other way around. The animal has no choice. Either it eats in the presence of the hated relative or remains hungry. Imagine for a moment that you were faced with the same choice. Will you have good feelings for your enemy after being forced to eat together? Most likely, the level of anger and irritation will increase several times during the meal.
The same thing happens with a female cat. She will tolerate a relative, because she must survive, and not die of starvation. But then the cats will start to sort things out with double force. Or each will occupy its own territory, avoiding a relative at any cost.
But in any case, reconciliation will not happen and the situation will only escalate.
Another side effect of co-feeding is stress. Just like humans, cats experience stress. And the consequences of stress are the same - nervous disorders, problems with the functioning of internal organs, all sorts of diseases, even insomnia. And daily feeding next to the enemy is chronic stress, which carries not only a threat to health, but also to the life of the pet.
In order for cats to coexist comfortably, you should not feed them next to each other, but arrange the space so that they can share the territory, as happens in the natural environment. Each cat should eat, rest and go to the litter box in a safe place for it. Feed the pets at the same time, but in those places where each of them is comfortable. By the way, this approach is also preferable for cats that are friendly.
When each animal feels safe, makes sure that it has its own territory and no one will force it to tolerate a hated relative, it will get used to its existence. Sometimes this can develop into friendship, sometimes the cats will prefer to keep their distance for the rest of their days. But in any case, peace and order in the house will be restored, and the cats will feel good.
You can feed together animals that have approached each other on their own. They already show each other friendly signs of attention, sometimes play together or sleep nearby, but they are still wary of each other and aggression can flare up at any moment.
In this case, feeding nearby will help strengthen the bond between the animals, allowing them to understand that they should not expect "meanness" from their fellow, because he does not show aggression even at the moment of eating (the owner must ensure that this is really the case).
