Well, it's now day 26 with Alley (resident) and Midnight (new addition) actually living in the same space and things are not going well - many ups and downs.
Alley is a male 16 pound 11 year old beige cat who is naturally timid and scared of everything. Extreme low self-esteem due to rough times with his mother.
Midnight is our newcomer - female 8 pounds 1 1/2 years(?) black cat, very sweet to us, loves to play, happy to be indoors, but who is terrorizing Alley.
Introduced them very slowly - Midnight spent one week downstairs in isolation - with just her smell coming upstairs on us (we live in an big upstairs apartment). Then moved her upstairs - one week (behind a closed door) smell coming underneath door. Then two weeks behind a screen door. Then several days of coming out a few hours at a time and locked behind the screen over night. Now she is out 12-14 hours a day and locked behind the screen over night. Three litterboxes, three water stations. Alley sits with me in the office for most of the day, and sleeps with me at night. Won't go out on our enclosed indoor/outdoor porch - used to go in and out constantly - now never.
Constant growling hissing, snarling, yowling - mostly from Alley, he hasn't touched her, yet she fights with him and pulls his hair out. She chases him and prevents him from using his litterbox. I can't trust them alone and I have to separate them at mealtimes. When Alley needs to go, I have to carry him to it and it takes him a while to get up the courage.
But..... she terrorizes Alley. They exchange words, sometimes Midnight leaves in slow motion, sometimes Alley. If Alley leaves she attacks him from behind. Fur flies, Alley gets humililated. Alley is afraid to leave our office, scared to go to the litterbox, eat, play, walk around.
Tried vanilla under their chins. Tried Rescue Remedy. Got a Feliway plugin 4 days ago. Just this morning they had a fight right underneath the Feliway. Have started spraying Midnight with a water spritzer. She acts like its her house. Alley will not defend himself. He is moody and depressed. No more purrs.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Happy Holidays.
Alley's Mom
x
Help - new cat terrorizing resident cat
Re: Help - new cat terrorizing resident cat
Don't use vanilla (it contains alcohol and not good for kittys' sensitive skin), Rescue Remedy also contains alcohol, and not every cat responds to Feliway.
Is Alley overweight? When was his last vet checkup?
Do you have toys, a seperate area with a cat post or tree for both cats?
Try involving them together in the same space with a playtime activity. Use toys to get their attention, drag a string across the floor for them to chase, etc...anything that diverts their attention to the play as opposed to each other. Schedule playtime sessions often, with both cats in the same space, supervise but don't intervene unless there is agression that causes a physical fight. Talk in a calm manner, and if one of them acts agressive, say a stern "NO". If the agression continues, combine the "NO" with a squirt from the squirt bottle. If the agression continues, give the instigator a temporary time-out in another room with door closed (for about 10 minutes). Don't favor either cat during the time-out. Allow the instigator out, continue the playtime session and so on...
With a consistent routine for playtime sessions, the cats will be more focused on toys or the activity, will learn to look forward to the sessions, and will learn to tolerate each other in the same space and not feel threatened by one another.
Whenever you see/catch Midnight intimidating Alley, use the stern "NO" combined with the squirt bottle (or a temporary time-out, only when necessary)...she needs to associate these with inappropriate behavior. DO reward her however, for good behavior with treats or an extended play session, etc.
Are the litterboxes in seperate areas in the apt? One should be closeby Alley's favorite space, the other near Midnight's favorite space, both in a quiet, private area away from foot traffic, heavy appliances etc. The third litterbox could be placed beside one of the others, it really doesn't matter which. Try to train Midnight to use only her's for now. Eventually, slowly move the litterboxes closer together. (same for the food/water dishes, you eventually want one feeding station, after the cats have become more accustomed and comfortable with each other).
Is Alley overweight? When was his last vet checkup?
Do you have toys, a seperate area with a cat post or tree for both cats?
Try involving them together in the same space with a playtime activity. Use toys to get their attention, drag a string across the floor for them to chase, etc...anything that diverts their attention to the play as opposed to each other. Schedule playtime sessions often, with both cats in the same space, supervise but don't intervene unless there is agression that causes a physical fight. Talk in a calm manner, and if one of them acts agressive, say a stern "NO". If the agression continues, combine the "NO" with a squirt from the squirt bottle. If the agression continues, give the instigator a temporary time-out in another room with door closed (for about 10 minutes). Don't favor either cat during the time-out. Allow the instigator out, continue the playtime session and so on...
With a consistent routine for playtime sessions, the cats will be more focused on toys or the activity, will learn to look forward to the sessions, and will learn to tolerate each other in the same space and not feel threatened by one another.
Whenever you see/catch Midnight intimidating Alley, use the stern "NO" combined with the squirt bottle (or a temporary time-out, only when necessary)...she needs to associate these with inappropriate behavior. DO reward her however, for good behavior with treats or an extended play session, etc.
Are the litterboxes in seperate areas in the apt? One should be closeby Alley's favorite space, the other near Midnight's favorite space, both in a quiet, private area away from foot traffic, heavy appliances etc. The third litterbox could be placed beside one of the others, it really doesn't matter which. Try to train Midnight to use only her's for now. Eventually, slowly move the litterboxes closer together. (same for the food/water dishes, you eventually want one feeding station, after the cats have become more accustomed and comfortable with each other).
..........Traci
Is Alley overweight? No, just big.
Do you have toys, a seperate area with a cat post or tree for both cats? <b>Yes, each has his/her own.</b>
Try involving them together in the same space with a playtime activity.
<b>We are trying but if Alley is on the floor she attacks him - so he is constantly ON something - we play with a rat on a string and there is the danger of him falling off whatever he is on.
We are trying the water squirter and she quickly stops the naughty behavior. </b>
Are the litterboxes in seperate areas in the apt? <b>Yes, three litterboxes for 2 cats in three different rooms.</b>
Feeding station - right now they are fed separately - hopefully someday one feeding area.
_________________
Our biggest problem is that Alley won't stand up for himself.
Alley's Mom[/b]
Do you have toys, a seperate area with a cat post or tree for both cats? <b>Yes, each has his/her own.</b>
Try involving them together in the same space with a playtime activity.
<b>We are trying but if Alley is on the floor she attacks him - so he is constantly ON something - we play with a rat on a string and there is the danger of him falling off whatever he is on.
We are trying the water squirter and she quickly stops the naughty behavior. </b>
Are the litterboxes in seperate areas in the apt? <b>Yes, three litterboxes for 2 cats in three different rooms.</b>
Feeding station - right now they are fed separately - hopefully someday one feeding area.
_________________
Our biggest problem is that Alley won't stand up for himself.
Alley's Mom[/b]
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mamabear
- Formerly mamaof4soon
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:39 pm
- Location: The Garden State
Re: Help - new cat terrorizing resident cat
"just big" <----in what way? Does his belly have a ponch to it? Can you feel his ribs? If there is any overhang on any part of his body he is overweight. Big cats are usually Toms and Mane Coons and even most of them people say are big but they are just overweight. Weight I do not believe has anything to do with this problem but IF Alley is overweight the stress that he is going through and weight wont help.
In my opinion Midnight isn't doing anything wrong. She is playing as a 1 1/2 yr old cat should. Young and vibrant ahhhhhhhhh to be that way again....
Alley is 11 and doesn't want to be bothered. But it doesnt' mean that she hates him or vise versa.
What exactly has happen when she attacks him? What does he do?
Does he whack at her or get angry and hiss and had a fight and then walked away as almost saying to Midnight cut the crap out? Or are you interfering before it gets to this point so therefore you wont know how far this will go?
Not suggesting anything yet just wondering how far this has gone and why you think that this is a bad situation. Midnight is acting the way she should be. Alley is older and could care less about some active fluffy kitty at his age.
In my opinion Midnight isn't doing anything wrong. She is playing as a 1 1/2 yr old cat should. Young and vibrant ahhhhhhhhh to be that way again....
Alley is 11 and doesn't want to be bothered. But it doesnt' mean that she hates him or vise versa. What exactly has happen when she attacks him? What does he do?
Does he whack at her or get angry and hiss and had a fight and then walked away as almost saying to Midnight cut the crap out? Or are you interfering before it gets to this point so therefore you wont know how far this will go?
Not suggesting anything yet just wondering how far this has gone and why you think that this is a bad situation. Midnight is acting the way she should be. Alley is older and could care less about some active fluffy kitty at his age.
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!
Re: Help - new cat terrorizing resident cat
"just big" <b>He is really long and tall - he is proportionate - he is a big cat</b>
What exactly has happen when she attacks him? What does he do? <b> he is a big chicken, turns his back, walks away in slow motion, she jumps at him and pulls out hair, he yowls and gets embarrassed.</b>
Does he whack at her or get angry and hiss and had a fight and then walked away as almost saying to Midnight cut the crap out? <b>No whack, he has hissed, spit, and screamed at her, then turns his back and she jumps at him and pulls out hair from his behind. I would not say he has told he to cut the crap yet - he is getting closer though - almost did it today</b>
Alley is older and could care less about some active fluffy kitty at his age.<b> yes you're right</b>
<b>I have had two conversations with a pet psychologist this week. She says they are still at the "getting to know you" stage and to take it slow. Not to let them get angry, hiss, spit, etc. But to create some "good moments" and to separate them if the situation gets hot.
I'm trying.
Alley's Mom</b>
What exactly has happen when she attacks him? What does he do? <b> he is a big chicken, turns his back, walks away in slow motion, she jumps at him and pulls out hair, he yowls and gets embarrassed.</b>
Does he whack at her or get angry and hiss and had a fight and then walked away as almost saying to Midnight cut the crap out? <b>No whack, he has hissed, spit, and screamed at her, then turns his back and she jumps at him and pulls out hair from his behind. I would not say he has told he to cut the crap yet - he is getting closer though - almost did it today</b>
Alley is older and could care less about some active fluffy kitty at his age.<b> yes you're right</b>
<b>I have had two conversations with a pet psychologist this week. She says they are still at the "getting to know you" stage and to take it slow. Not to let them get angry, hiss, spit, etc. But to create some "good moments" and to separate them if the situation gets hot.
I'm trying.
Alley's Mom</b>
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mamabear
- Formerly mamaof4soon
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:39 pm
- Location: The Garden State
Re: Help - new cat terrorizing resident cat
I am not sure anyone here is getting angry. Midnight is acting just like she should. Alley isn't beating the crap out of her so doesn't seem like there is anything wrong. Is midnight showing teeth and biting Alley and drawing blood?
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!
Re: Help - new cat terrorizing resident cat
Can I just ask....the "pet psychologist". Would that be a certified animal behaviorialist/DVM or some self-proclaimed, unexperienced person claiming to have experience/credentials but actually has none?
Just asking because too often, owners get duped by people that actually have no qualification.
Just asking because too often, owners get duped by people that actually have no qualification.
..........Traci
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mamabear
- Formerly mamaof4soon
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:39 pm
- Location: The Garden State
Re: Help - new cat terrorizing resident cat
That was a concern of mine as well, thank you for asking. Traci has a point and I personally understand what she means. I work with dogs and have trained them and have trained owners in how to be the alpha. I am not a Vet, I worked as a Vet Tech years ago and have since kept up with it although a bit rusty. I do nutrician and keep up with it through Hills Science Diet. I never claim to say that I know it all or know better than a vet. So please if someone is in your ear telling you that your cats have "anger" issues and they are not a lisenced vet please stop talking to them.
These cats sounds normal and you have introduced them the right way. you have an active 1 1/2 year old and an older cat that can't be bothered. If they are not killing each other or causing each other harm or damage to the home then don't keep harping on it. What will be will be. If they are hurting each other then that is a totally different story.
My two cats always went after eachother. They weren't litter mates but were from the same place, they were 8 weeks old. They never hurt eachother but when my male would try to get my female she would knock his block off then all would be well again for another 6months.
If there is no harm being done then watch them and see what happens for longer periods of time each. You keeping them separated this long might be causing tension. Your stress of thinking that they are not "acting" right might be stressing them out as well.
Just my opinion...
These cats sounds normal and you have introduced them the right way. you have an active 1 1/2 year old and an older cat that can't be bothered. If they are not killing each other or causing each other harm or damage to the home then don't keep harping on it. What will be will be. If they are hurting each other then that is a totally different story.
My two cats always went after eachother. They weren't litter mates but were from the same place, they were 8 weeks old. They never hurt eachother but when my male would try to get my female she would knock his block off then all would be well again for another 6months.
If there is no harm being done then watch them and see what happens for longer periods of time each. You keeping them separated this long might be causing tension. Your stress of thinking that they are not "acting" right might be stressing them out as well.
Just my opinion...
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!
Re: Help - new cat terrorizing resident cat
I've been re-reading your posts and am just wondering....could it be that Midnight is trying to play with Alley and just doesn't know how to?
Don't seperate them simply because they growl, hiss or spit: this is normal during introduction. The only time you should seperate them is if physical fighting, biting, scratching, causing physical harm is done. As little intervention as possible is best (except for physical fighting).
It's also possible Midnight needs more stimulation in her environment, something that keeps her interested, like special toys, playtime with you, a special kitty perch near a safe window, etc.
Don't seperate them simply because they growl, hiss or spit: this is normal during introduction. The only time you should seperate them is if physical fighting, biting, scratching, causing physical harm is done. As little intervention as possible is best (except for physical fighting).
It's also possible Midnight needs more stimulation in her environment, something that keeps her interested, like special toys, playtime with you, a special kitty perch near a safe window, etc.
..........Traci