Mean cat & Scaredy Cat

[Kendra]

Hello again,

I had posted last week about Clementine(thanks for all of the advice!)... now I have a new question.
I have had Clem for about 5 years. Last December we found a stray cat that someone dumped off on our acreage.. his name is Kasey. From what the vet can tell Kasey is around 2 years old. Clem is 10.
After we got Kasey fixed and all of his wounds mended last Dec we moved to a new house. We brought Kasey and Clem together slowly but things are not working out. Kasey is part siamese and is very aggressive to Clem. He is very possesive over me and is constantly rubbing on me and marking with his face. For the last 10 mmonths we have had to keep them separated as Clem pees/poos as soon as she sees him she is so terrified.
There is no way they could both be free in the house at the same time. Right now Kasey stays in our room during the day and Clem has run of the house and then the opposite at night. We have tried the slow integration... it didnt work. Ive even put a bar on the bedroom door to hold it open enough so they could get to know one another thru there without anyone getting hurt. I was thinking of taking Kasey to the vet and put him on valium or see what else can be done. I could not bear the thought of givinghim away. There is another cat in our house, a male, who gets along with Clem and Kasey. Any advice?
Thank You
Kendra

[Tina B and crew]

Oh do I feel your anquish Kendra...I have the exact same situation at my house. Our only male, Gizmo, suddenly became aggressive after a close call with death due to hepatic lipidosis. Our newest adoptee, Willow, happens to bear the brunt of his aggression, although his mother, Frodo gets it often too. Our youngest cat, Khanada, rarely feels his wrath...but the other day even she got attacked. I'm sure it doesn't help that I foster other cats, so our house is almost always full of them...rarely is it just our 4. I've had good success with Bach Flower remedies and a homeopathic called Calmes Forte...but only when used along with behavior modification. I keep both Willow and Gizmo seperated when we are either asleep or not at home. Now that my daughter is in college at least we have an extra empty room to house one of them in. I do as you, alternate who get's confined and who gets to roam, so neither of them are always confined. When I'm home they both get to roam, but my ear is always alert to sounds of cat fights.

One thing I did that helped was to buy a collar for Gizmo with a bell on it. Normally I would not collar my indoor cats, but I found he was sneaking up on Willow while she slept and viciously attacking her. With the bell she at least can hear him coming and can find a hiding place. I hate to see her live in fear when he is around, but I can't get rid of Gizmo, I've had him since he was born 11 years ago. And Willow is such a special, sweet loving cat..I can't get rid of her...she and I were meant for each other no doubt.

I'm about ready to break down and spend the money on some Feliway and see if it works...I've been to my vet with Gizmo several times...she doesn't advocate any drugs for problems like this unless all else fails...and then she would be reluctant to even consider it. I don't think I could drug Gizmo either...it just doesn't seem like the right solution. If I come up with any solutions in the near future I will certainly post them for you!

[Kendra]

Thanks Tina!
Its good to know there are others out there like me! Why cant they all just get along?
I cannot even leave them out together when Im home.. if Kasey smells/sees Clem he gets the crazy eyes and goes for her. If Clem smells/sees him she starts yelling and this is usually when shes in my arms for the "switcherooo". If she does happen to be on the floor she will immediately drop on her side and pee.
I need to take Kasey for his shots next month so I will ask the vet as well.
What is Feliway? Is that the same as valium?
I hate to drug the cats too... I dont know whats worse.. the lockdown or being drugged.

[MA]

Make the cats all smell the same by using vanilla extract. Put a little on both cats under their chins, between their shoulders and on the base of their tail. Get rid of the threatening scent and neutralize the odor.

[Tina B and crew]

Feliway is a feline pheromone...used mostly to stop inappropriate urination and scratching. But I've heard it used for aggression too..

http://www.feliway.com/

MA...I've tried the vanilla suggestion with Willow and Gizmo, I guess the problem with them is they have been at it so long it's almost like it's in their memory. Willow sees Gizmo and I can see fear in her eyes, so in there case it isn't just the smell...I wish it were though, that would make it much easier

[Kendra]

I tried the vanilla last night. Its not making a difference. Clementine still yells when she sees Kasey. I think the sight of him scares her.

[MA]

I am sorry to hear that. Have you tried the Comfort Zone Room Mister by Farnum Pet? That might help alleviate some of the stress going on between the two cats.

[Kendra]

Hi MA,
Ive never heard of that.. what is it?
Kendra

[jason]

Kendra, have you tried reversing the areas every once in a while? what i mean by this is the following:

• mean cat roams around while scaredy cat stays in a room
  then, while your around reverse the areas on them for about an hour or so a couple times a day

i would be sure to leave the resident (mean) cat out of this confined area for the evening, only do the switching during the day for short periods and when you can monitor the stress levels of them both. also be sure to provide them with their own litter boxes and food bowls (water can be share i think) as to not provide additional stress.

this could be a challenge since you have yet another resident cat, maintain your patience since they (especially your newest cat) will pick up your emotions.

[MA]

Kendra-

The Comfort Zone is a diffuser that you plug in and it releases pheremones in a steady stream into the air.It is fairly new by Farnum Pet. I have used it in the past between two cats who just couldn't get along. 3 days after being in the same room with this mister, they were tolerating each other. You can find it just about anywhere. If you go to meowhoo.com and look in Behavior Aids you will see it listed or simply do a search with Google for Comfort Zone or go to Farnum Pet's website.


Sorry I haven't been on the boards much- my horse has foundered and I have been busy with him. I hope by this time you have found the item and are using it with good results.