Re: Cat Fights

I hope your other kitty's Tom, and Bella can learn to get along with your pretty boy Tuxy, but they may never be pals... Some cats are just that way.... My TC who was a full blood Siamese was the same way, she almost seemed as though she hated Prissy, but then at other times she would simply tolerate her.... How long has Tux been in your household, maybe when they feel that he is there to stay for good, then things will turn around.... Just keep loving on all of them equally, and let them see you loving on each of them, don't try to hide your feelings... You take care, and I hope you have a great day!

Laura

Re: Cat Fights

Tuxy looks like a real sweety. I have had similar problems when I have added cats to my menagerie. I have six now and when I brought my Slinky into the house , Buster was very nasty to him and bit him serveral times and once caused an abcess so poor Slinky had to get vetiernary care. However after that things gradually calmed down and he started accepting Slinky. I had to put down a couple of my older cats and I have added two more strays to the bunch. Each time Buster tried to intimidate the newbie. After Slinky it was Mugwi, who did not stand up to Buster at all so Buster took advantage of that and terrorized him for a few months. Then there was Teaser but, when Buster hissed at him he would just ignore it and look away. By acting in this way instead of cowering, Buster got over his attitude quicker. Now, 18 months after Slinky's arrival, they are all getting along good, so I think it just takes time.

Re: Cat Fights

I recently added a new guy to my household and am having the same problem with my resident kitties. Despite following all of the advice of introducing the new cat slowly and keeping him separate for the first week or so, slowly exchanging toys for scent, etc. etc., my oldest cat who has kidney disease and is pretty fraile is being completely unwelcoming, constantly spitting, hissing and growling which is funny in a way just b/c the new guy far outweighs him and is much younger. I have talked to friends who are experienced cat owners who tell me that unless there are actual attacks and fur flying, to just let them figure out their 'status' amongst themselves and that in time it will probably (hopefully) settle down.
Good luck!

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I have four cats and two of them don't get along. The little one is very people friendly and will bully the other very social one. They have never gotten along and we are going on six years now. I discovered that it is all about territory and I managed to find a solution for them to tolerate each other. First I made two rooms with a lot of human activity where they can retreat to- what they can call their own. One is our office and the other the bedroom. In the day, the one gets all of our attention. At night and in the morning the other has our attention. As I sit here at my computer, the one is with me on my chair. She has her own litter box and food bowl. The other cuddles in the morning, sleeps with us and he has his own food and box. It used to be that I would have to close the doors to keep them away from each other, but now we can keep all doors open and we all go about our business, with them doing whatever they want and will stay away from each other. In the evening when there is a lot of activity the two will be in the kitchen together (in a parallel universe) and eat together with the other cats. Sometimes they still get snippy with each other, I just clap my hands and they will retreat to their rooms, as if it is the safe zone. The other two cats do not appear bothered by all of this, get along fine with all animals and get attention whenever they want by whoever they want. But for the two who do not get along, they seem to need their own space and what is so interesting about it is the two respect each others space and would never go into each other's room, while the other two cats can. Cats are weird-I think we all know that.

Re: Cat Fights

I also have 6 cats--the 2 most recent will never get along with the others as they have been to themselves for the past 4 years. I do rescue and fostering and they will have to go to a home with no other kitties. I find that introducing my others gradually they get along and tolerate each other. One classic example was 2 Katrina survivors. The big one kept picking on the little persion because Prince would squeal and run but after a few months they settled down and don't pay attention to the other one. Good luck smls37

Re: Cat Fights

My friend, Joyce, has a 17 year old cat who is recovering from having a tumor removed and is quite fraile. Before the surgery, Joyce and her family took in a stray that she had been feeding outside for awhile. The new cat is estimated at being around 1 1/2 years old. She did all the necessary first introduction things, but now about 2 month later they still are not getting along. The young cat attacks the older cat and the fur does fly. She also tried some herbs that the vet gave her, but so far nothing seems to be working. Does anyone have any ideas or remedies that might help?

Re: Cat Fights

My cat was just spotlighted in this section about urinating all over, got lots of great response. but this is also an issue, my baby cat named baby girl terrorizes this poor boy. it started as them played but now she jumps on his back and starts to bite. he meows and takes off. and kinda stays away from me more too. i do believe it is terroritoral. in my case and i am working on this too. good luck to u and if i come up with any good solutions i will try to help as this site helped me a great deal.

Re: Cat Fights

You might say - that I'm a true animal lover! I am the proud owner of 6 cats & one dog ( a golden )
As far as the all of the 6 cats go - there is only one that doesn't seem to get along with all of the rest.
He gets along with only one & that's it. I do have one cat that plays with the dog & the dog washes him up
when he is all done playing . It is so cute. If the dog won't play with the cat - the cat will keep bothering him
til he does play!
I like your cat. He looks so sweet! !

Re: Cat Fights

I've seen on TV on Animal Planet to entice cats to get along with each other, they put one in a kennel or carrier and coax the other one over with treats. Then they feed treats or kibbles to both of them in each other's presence but are safe because of the kennel door. They're usually more interesting in eating than fighting. Gradually they come to associate the goodies with each other's presence and the interactions should become more positive. I haven't tried it. I felt it a bit challenging with 8 cats. My problem is if I take two aside in a room to work with them, the others hover outside the door pawing under it distracting them from the exercise. If you're inclined to try it, I'd be interested to know if it worked out. I feel bad for the odd one out.
I have 8 cats and various ones hate various others wtih one that hates them all. Size or age doesn't seem to matter. I raised only 2 of them from kittens. The rest were strays. I chalk up some of the agression to their experiences as strays. I end up separating them into 2 groups where the individuals seem to at least tolerate each other. They sometimes chase and hiss but rarely is there an all out brawl. Time and time again when I try to merge the groups, it's chaos. There is deliberate stalking and attacking of some on others, etc. Letting them all battle it out for supremecy would only result in at least a couple of them with a much less than desirable quality of life. It's inconvenient for me to spread my time between the groups and of course, there's the one on her own that needs some time with me too. But, it's better than some of them always having to be hiding and cowering for fear of certain other bullies in their midst. That to me is more stressful on them than having to spend a few hours at a time in a bedroom while the other group is out in the public rooms. I switch them out morning and evening so everybody gets some time out and about with the people and more room to romp for awhile. I wish I could replicate myself so each one could have all the freedom and attention they deserve. They mean the world to me.

Re: Cat Fights

He looks like a true hunter! I have two - one male and one female. I introduced Sugar, the older male after I already had s
Sophie and that did not go over well but after a few weeks of hissing and growling, I caught them completely tangled up and licking each other to pieces on my bed!

Hope Tom and Bella come around, too.

Re: Cat Fights

Tom is very good-looking. Hope the other cats will accept him soon.

Re: Cat Fights

Are all the kitties spayed/neutered? If not, that should help with their temperment. i segregate some kitties when I'm at work and have them intermingle more when I'm home to intervene if needed. I find that mine bicker over food and/or my attention.

I prefer bribery and rewards for good behavior. However, I think your reaction when it happens in your presense is important. I'm heard shaking a jar/can half full of pennies is a particular sound that cats do not like, so doing so may distract one and give the other an opportunity to escape. Tone of voice is important. A time out in a carrier may occasionally be necessary. In time all of this should dissipate.

Re: Cat Fights

I recently adopted a second cat, I have a Peke but she is not the problem. I think Lyla, that's her name recents me for taking her away from her friends. She came from PETCO and apparently Lyla and another 2 cats had been there together for a few months because although they are young, 9 months, everyone wanted kittens. I'm use to Oliver, I rescued him last year, a sweet orange tabby who follows me everywhere and sleeps in my bed. I thought Lyla would do the same it's been two weeks and she still hiding under the bed away from me, my dog and cat go under the bed with her but is me she has a problem with. She eats and uses the litter box but what I'm I going to do when is time to take her for her shots? She already bit me once when I was reaching to put her little bed next to her.
Any ideas?

Re: Cat Fights

I HAVE ALWAYS HAD CATS AND I HAVE 4 NOW. CATS CAN BE TERRITORIAL AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY WHEN A NEW ONE COMES HOME. THOSE WHO ARE ESTABLISHED RESIDENTS ALREADY WILL SOMETIMES SHOW THE NEWCOMER WHO IS BOSS AROUND THERE AND OTHER TIMES JUST TOLERATE THEM UNTIL THEY GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER. ANY SIAMESE I HAD WAS ALWAYS THE BOSS OF THE HOUSE. MINE GET ALONG OK AND WILL TAKE TURNS WHEN ITS TIME TO EAT, VERSUS ALL OF THEM AT THE BOWL AT ONCE. THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES.

Re: Cat Fights

This is a suggestion to one of the emails writtenby myravendog who has a friend with the 17 year old cat who gets attacked by the younger one:
Perhaps your friend can entice them both with some treats and have them share her time together? She can play with them at the same time, and pet each one gently at the same time. I realize that one is very old and fragile, but I have 5 cats and they all get along well because I make sure I give each one attention, especially if they are all together (which is not often, b/c you know that cats have their favorite areas to hang out in, and it can be in various places!). Anyway, I hope your friend finds that magical "something" that will make her animals get along. Maybe she should invest in an animal behavior specialist, or just find one online who can give her professional advice. Good luck!

Re: Cat Fights

I currently have 8 cats (4 male/4 female) and 2 dogs the size of small horses. Only 1 of my cats has been with me since birth, & he firmly believes my Weimie is his mother since she was the one who did everything for him except the actual feeding. All of the others arrived at various times in various conditions and just sort of got added to the mix. Of the 8, there is only one who absolutely refuses to lighten up & coexist with anyone. And so she now pretty much resides on the patio & absolutely will not come indoors anymore because that's where THEY are. Everyone else either gets along with or opts to ignore the others. I work with a cat rescue group and do feral TNR & feeding as well & can tell you what I always tell anyone looking to adopt from us. Cats already established in a household always feel threatened by a newcomer and most will attempt to 'get rid of it' by the behavior you describe. When a new cat comes in, there will be hissing, there will be spitting and there will be noses out of joint. But sooner of later, they will make their peace with it and figure out a way to live with it. As long as there is no blood drawn, let them work it out. It may very well be that your others are continuing to jump him because they like his fear reaction or don't yet feel they've made their point. If poor Tux is really being picked on to the point his personality is affected, you may have to take some corrective action though. The pennies in a soda can does sometime work by distracting the bully from his mission as does a little spray of water or pressurized air. You can take action when it happens in front of you at least. Once they have figured out who is the 'alpha' cat, things should settle down even if they don't turn into the best of friends. Good luck - I know it can be hard watching the poor guy try to fit in, on both of you. If you give him some extra 'special' time with you, he'll feel better.

Re: Cat Fights

I have many, many kitties (I'm deep into cat rescue) and for the most part all of them get along. There is some hissing or chasing and on very rare occasion an actual fight, but again, that's very rare. They are all rescues and I think they somehow know that they all are safe now and just have to kind of get along. I actually talk to my cats and tell them that we all have to figure out a way to get along with each other. Most of them sleep together and play and groom each other. A few are on the independent side and they kind of just ignore the others and keep to themselves. I do have three males (Joshua, Sammy, & Scrappy) who I absolutely cannot keep together because they do get into knock down drag out fights. Sammy and Scrappy love each other but the two of them DO NOT like Joshua. Joshua stays upstairs and the majority of the rest of the kitties are in the lower level of my house. Much more cat friendly with lots of kitty fun downstairs - the entire space is a big kitty wonderland devoted just to them but Joshua doesn't seem to mind. I think he likes hanging upstairs w/ his mommy. Bottom line, I guess you have to rearrange your life to make their's a little better. To me it's no big sacrifice when you see how happy they are - good luck!

Re: Cat Fights

I have 2 cats that have been with me since they were abandoned at birth. When they came into my household I already had 4 grown cats. For some reason as the kittens (they will be considered "the kittens" forever) grew up they started picking on one of the other cats. They team up to torment this one cat. Sometimes they will all be lying close to each other or walk by each other with no problem. Other times Terror will be minding her own business and one of the kittens will come out of no where and attack her. They all eat side by side yet when they finish one or the other will chase her around the house. It's very strange and has gone on for a few years now. I gave up trying to help them get along. It seems like the kittens enjoy bothering terror when they are bored. I have an older cat who picks on one of the kittens. He doesn't like it and avoids her but it hasn't stopped him from chasing Terror. Hopefully your cats will work out their problems so that they can live together in relative peace and quiet.

Re: Cat Fights

I have 11 cats right now, and have had many issues with intergration. Some seemed to mesh with no problem, while others had a very hard time. Age did not seem to matter, since we took in a kitten no one liked, but took in a 5yr old that no one minded.
What I found to work pretty well is feliway plug-ins, and lavander oil in water. The feliway is a pheremone to help calm them, and lavander is a natural way to calm as well. Just mix the oil in water in a spray bottle, and spritz it around. I have even used it on a towel and rubbed the cats with it.
I have also used dired beans in a soda can. Someone else mentioned pennies I think. Either will work. All you have to do is toss the can near by when the fighting occurs, it creates a sort of united front for them. If they are both mad at the can, they leave each other alone. Kind of like the enemy of my enemy is my friend thing.
Hope you find a solution soon. Don't lose hope.

Re: Cat Fights

I thought we had it bad. Our three cats seem to be on separate planets. They will hiss at each other and pat each other with their front paws, but otherwise just ignore. They have each claimed a different room in the house and that helps. One even claimed the whole basement and garage! They all hate the dog, whom they all outweigh! No one gets hurt and all know they are loved. We keep working on it.