Can a mother and daughter cat live together?
Family dynamics can be complex in the human world, but can there be issues in cat families too? Multi cat households are common. There will often be displays of hierarchy and dominance but careful observation and caring for the lower ranking and more vulnerable cats can help manage the situation. But a common question asked on various cat forums is whether a mother and daughter cat can live together happily? Whether keeping the mother and daughter cat together is out of choice or that circumstances dictate that this must be the case, the aim will always be for a happy harmonious household.
Can a mother and daughter cat live together in harmony?
The short answer to this question is YES! A mother and daughter cat can most certainly live together in harmony. And how can we be so certain of the answer to this much asked question? Our two cats, Misty and Boo, are indeed mother and daughter. Despite having very different personalities, they get along extremely well. They are respectful of each other’s boundaries but at the same time it is very clear that they have a very close loving bond. Cats are naturally very independent and self sufficient and living as part of a larger unit isn’t something that is natural to them. But many will enjoy the company of another cat especially if they have grown up together from kittenhood.
Tips for a mother and daughter cat to get along in adulthood
The mother and daughter bond between cats is usually very strong whilst the kitten is nursed by her mother. Nature’s instincts (in most cases!) ensures the mother does everything in her power to nurture and care for her babies. When the kittens are between 6 and 8 weeks old, mama cat will slowly start to detach herself from the kittens. She will still keep an eye on their playing, their inquisitiveness, and certainly protect them from danger, but she will start to develop a certain aloofness and distancing. At around 10 to 12 weeks, kittens are classed as adolescence and are ready to be separated from their mother. The relationship from now on is more likely to be one of housemates rather than a parental bond. Harmony will very much be dependent on personalities of the cats rather than on the basis of family connections.
To keep the mother and daughter relationship a harmonious one, there are a few things that can be done to nurture this relationship:
Ensure both cats are spayed
There are many advantages to ensuring your cat is spayed. Ensuring both mother and daughter cats are spayed will certainly reduce undesirable behaviours which could contribute to disharmony in the household.
Respect each cat’s individuals needs and preferences
Even though the mother and kitten may have shared resources whilst the kitten was young, it is important in adulthood to respect that they are both now individual adult cats. This means separate water bowls, food bowls, litter trays, scratching posts, napping areas and bed. Although our mother and daughter cats still sleep together every night they often nap separately during the day. Having various options of places to nap ensure they both will find somewhere comfortable to satisfy their sleeping needs. Check out our article on sharing resources between cats; Can cats share a food bowl? Can cats share a water bowl?
Monitor their behaviours and address any aggression issues early on
It is important not to let any conflict and aggression to fester or become worse. Try various option to resolve the issues, and please seek professional help if you are unable to resolve the problems yourself.
What to do if conflict arises between mother and daughter cat?
If aggression between the cats is a new, sudden occurrence, try to identify what has changed. Access to, or lack of resources, is a common cause of conflict and aggression. A new family member, be it a new baby or a new pet, moving to a new house, or change in home circumstances can cause upset. We recently wrote an article ‘Do cats like routine’, which highlighted how important routine is for cats. They actually thrive on routine and a change to, or lack of, routine can cause behavioral issues and even illness. Cats need to feel safe and secure and routine is a key factor in achieving this. Check that no major changes have been made to their daily routine.
Ensure that everything from the list above of ‘Tips for a mother and daughter cat to get along’ is in place. Try to view things from their perspective. Observe their behavior closely to see if their body language can reveal some clues. Check out our article on ‘Cat communication’ for further information on the language and communication of cats. Signs of conflict and unrest can often be very subtle. Similarly, what may seem like aggression may actually be playing. Signs of conflict include:
- Biting and scratching with claws out
- Screams and chasing in one direction only
- Staring at each other
- One cat hiding
- Obstructing each other’s pathways
Pheromone products may help to ease any aggression and can help to calm your cat. Pheromones are chemicals that the body releases when a cat is happy or sad to communicate with other cats and the outside world. It is one of the most important method of communication among cats. Some diffusers contain calming and friendly pheromones. The diffuser is simply plugged into your home to release the spray to enhance calmness and encourage harmony. Feliway have a range of various calming pheromone diffuser products. This one featured below, Feliway Friends, helps cats to live together in harmony.
If you have any concerns, or are unable to resolve any behavioral issues, then please ask your veterinary for advice.
How can I get my cat to stop nursing from its mother?
The only concern that we had in keeping mother and daughter cat together was that the daughter cat was nursing on mama into her adolescence. Although mother cat didn’t seem to object, we were aware that this wasn’t something that could continue indefinitely. With both cats booked in to be spayed by the veterinary we didn’t want any undue pressure, or any injury to the area after the operation.
We treated the weaning process very gently. If we were present when the daughter cat would approach her mother for some suckling, we would gently take the daughter off mother cat. We also ensured that the adolescent daughter would have a daily bowl of kitten milk (although it is much more likely to be a comfort factor rather than a taste for milk!). Plenty of attention in the form of play time and affection was also give to the younger cat to ensure her mental stimulation needs were met. It is important never to punish, be angry or shout at your cat. Over a couple of weeks, the nursing slowed down, and eventually stopped.
And finally….
This is Misty (mama cat) and Boo (daughter cat). The bestest of friends who have clearly shown us how a mother and daughter cat can indeed live very happy into adulthood.
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Other articles you may find of interest:
Has my cat eaten her kittens? And helpful ways to support a mother cat
How to keep your cat happy – 10 key factors
16 Top tips to ensure the senior years are comfortable for your old cat
