Cuddly Cat Bonds: Fostering Friendship Among Feline Companions

I currently have three cats, affectionately referred to as ‘three old man cats,’ who love spending time with me and each other. Most of the time, they tolerate each other’s presence to stay close to me.
During colder weather, especially as time goes by, they have even started seeking each other’s warmth and cuddles. In winter, when the temperature drops, they often begin by cuddling next to me and then, as I move or leave, they group together in a collective cuddle.


This is a stark contrast to when I first adopted my second cat. I had to make significant efforts to help the initial two cats get along. My husband Thomas and I adopted Avery, our first cat, in 2013 in Canada.


It wasn’t until 2018, after moving to Portugal, that we introduced Bjorn into our home. In 2019, following a tragic incident involving a stray cat, we decided to adopt Bjorn to prevent such a fate for any cat we loved. This decision sparked a series of adoptions, including taking in Athos and fostering Aramis and her kitten Cleo, who were later adopted by my brother.


Avery, who had been an only-child cat for over five years, faced many changes. He had minimal interaction with his cousins Beau and Walker in Canada and had never had to share his space.


Introducing Bjorn was a challenge due to Avery’s high anxiety, which sometimes led to violence. To manage this, I closely monitored their interactions and only allowed them to be together under my supervision. I worked on reducing Avery’s anxiety by spoiling him with cuddles and meals in Bjorn’s presence, which over time helped calm him down.


Products like the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Cat & Dog Feeder and the Catit Design Senses Food Maze were used to facilitate this process.


Despite these efforts, Avery and Bjorn never became fans of each other, likely due to their clashing personalities. Avery is calm, wise, and clever, with an Elven look, while Bjorn is more sociable with other cats.


Bjorn, much like his mummy, is a clumsy baby with wide eyes that express a wealth of emotion. He is super nurturing but struggles with understanding personal space.


When Athos was introduced into our home, I anticipated that Avery would resent him as much as he did Bjorn, fearing I would have to work hard to help Avery accept sharing his space with two cats instead of one. Surprisingly, Avery took to Athos much more readily than Bjorn. To this day, it seems Avery prefers Athos, allowing him liberties he does not extend to Bjorn.


Perhaps Athos is more still and timid, not disrupting Avery’s space as Bjorn does with his chaotic and clumsy energy. It could be that Avery simply does not perceive Athos as a threat, and they get along much better.


Cats can indeed get along, and some even prefer each other’s company. Athos might like Bjorn more than Avery, as they seem to act like twins. Amazon Basics Large Cat Activity Tree – Amazon / eBay


Athos also does not dislike Avery and has taught him to play with cats in a non-aggressive manner, a stark contrast to Bjorn’s play style that used to annoy Avery. Now, Athos chases Avery around the house, and Avery engages back in a calm and happy manner.


Avery’s affection for Bjorn has improved, but it does not match the bond he shares with Athos. Other cats, like Cleo, who lived with the three for almost a year, were tolerated by Avery but did not receive the same level of play or cuddles. Go Pet Club Wide Cat Cat Tree Perch – Amazon / Chewy


Athos, however, is favored by Avery, a rarity since Avery does not take to many cats. Athos and Bjorn are open to interacting with all cats, but they are different and are liked differently by others. Cleo, for instance, loved Bjorn the most and treated him like a big brother, sometimes playing too rough. Pawaboo Interactive Cat Toy Hidden Mouse – Amazon


Athos enjoyed playing with Cleo, but it was clear Bjorn was her favorite. When Aramis lived in our house, Athos and Aramis would snuggle but not play together, showing differences in their relationships. Athos would chase her and try to play, a behavior he also exhibited with Kalista, my brother’s cat, when she visited.


Aramis allowed Athos to cuddle with her, which indicated her acceptance of him, despite not wanting to play. This raises the question: do cats like each other? In my experience, my cats have developed a strong bond, to the point where they now sleep together in a stack of three, using adorable Zelda Triforce snugglers.


Initially, not all of them got along. The first two did, but the third took some time to join in. Eventually, he did, and now they all have their unique ways of liking each other. Each cat in my house has had a distinct relationship with every other cat, with some genuinely enjoying each other’s company, while others tolerate or simply do not prefer certain interactions.


This is somewhat similar to human relationships, isn’t it? Yes, cats can like each other, but in their own unique ways.


For those interested, here are some products that have been helpful: Amazon Basics Soft-Sided Mesh Pet Travel Carrier, Small – available on Amazon, and Trixie Pet Products Minou Cuddly Cave – found on Amazon and Chewy.


I am eager to hear your thoughts and experiences on cats liking each other. If you have any stories or insights on how these relationships vary from cat to cat, please share them in the comments section below. This is such an intriguing topic, and I look forward to reading your contributions!


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