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Will my cats remember each other and get along after years apart?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 12 lbs

Hi. I have two cats, both female, that were once living under the same roof and they became pretty close. One was mine and the other, my mom's. I've since moved and took my cat with me. They've been apart for a few years. My mom is now unfortunately unable to keep her cat. If I were to take in my mom's cat, would they remember each other and be friends again? Or would they not and then there's a chance they could hate each other and fight? I'd really like to give my mom's cat a loving home.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on May 8th, 2017

It's very kind of you to want to take in your mom's cat! It's hard to say whether she and Tipsy would remember each other or not - cats can be very sensitive about this, and often have more trouble being reintroduced to a previous companion than dogs do.

I would recommend making up a separate room for your mom's cat so that she will have her own separate area to stay in at first - make sure that she has her own food and water bowl, litter box, and cat tree or scratching post. Keep her in this room with the door closed for at least a week or two, so that Tipsy can get used to hearing her and smelling her again. At that point, you can try leaving the door open for short periods of time so that the new cat can venture out into the house. A gradual introduction like this offers the best chance for success, so don't rush things! A Feliway Multi-Cat pheromone diffuser may also be helpful for this situation.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    This is a great question! I'm sorry that your mom cannot take your cat, and it's lovely of you to want to take her in. Yes, they can get along again with no problems and I will give you a method for introducing them so that they can get along with each other. I would slowly introduce them to each other. Take the new cat, and put her in her own room with her own food, water, and litter box. Keep the door closed, and for a few days, feed them both treats on other side of door so they associate each other's smell with a good experience. Then let the other cat in the new cat's room while the new cat is in a cat carrier. They can smell each other, but not be in contact. If either becomes upset or show signs of aggression, remove the second cat from the room, and try again later. Praise them when they interact appropriately. When they are interacting well with each other through the carrier, you can let the new cat out of her room, and see how she interacts with the other cat. Praise them when they interact appropriately, and separate them with any sign of aggression or upset. I would get a cat tree with lots of shelves to give the cats vertical space to get away from each other. I would keep the new cat in her room when you go out until they are comfortable with each other. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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