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NuevaVida -> cat on cat (2/8/2009 12:42:49 AM)
My friend was going to take her cat to the shelter today. She just didn't want him anymore - Gah!! He's the coolest cat, too - a black long haired with white socks and a white bib. He's middle aged, mellow, and minds his own business. So I told her to bring him here - we'd see if he got along with my own little guy (we tried introducing them before, not very successfully). If so, I'd take him. I realize we had to rush a proper feline introduction. But we got them together. It was worse than the last time. My kitty is just under 2 years old and still acts like a kitten. He antagonized our visitor to death by repeatedly pouncing on him, wanting to play. This was met with hissing and swatting (friend's cat is declawed), followed by more attempts to play, followed by more hissing and swatting. Then all seemed mellow for awhile. That is, until my little guy snuck up behind him and - DOINK - pounced right on his back. The result was Wild Kingdom in my living room - - a wailing, snarling, twisted commotion of two cats wrapped around each other, rolling along the floor fighting, with tufts of fur flying in every direction. sigh Thankfully no one got hurt. But I can't keep the cat. I did talk my friend into taking her cat home and hanging onto him until we found a suitable home (whew). But it was rough going for awhile. My little guy just wants to play play play. I'm thinking of getting a second young cat to keep him company during the day - maybe it would be more playful than an older one. I just don't want another scene like today. I am still relatively new to the world of cats. Any ideas?

slaveboyforyou -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 12:50:39 AM)
My cat is about 12 years old. She won't have anything to do with other cats or dogs. My parents have a westy and until a few months ago, a scotty (scotty died.) When I would watch those dogs for them while they vacationed, the cat was not happy. But, it's my place...it doesn't belong to Ms. Kitters (her name). Pets can and will adjust to new residents. You shouldn't have called it off after a brief visit.

NuevaVida -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 12:59:31 AM)
They will? This was the second visit. The first was 8 hours straight of pounce-hiss-pounce-hiss.... The visiting cat did well with another cat he stayed with while my friend was on vacation. But he can't stand Viktor (my guy). I figure why stress him out if he can ease happily into a new home elsewhere. And with my being gone all day at work, I wouldn't want to leave the kids alone together.

MissMorrigan -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 1:03:18 AM)
Cats, after a while, will map out their own territory within the residence. The younger cat would eventually learn, the hard way, that pouncing on the elder isn't a good idea and would learn to become more respectful. It's just nerve-wracking to the onlooker at seeing this played out.

MissMorrigan -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 1:09:02 AM)
Sometimes it can take days/weeks. Your cat hasn't had to share and he's making damn sure he's not liking hte idea of having another tread in his territory - they do this outside, too. They do eventually find a medium where each will learn to respect the other's space even if it's at the price of a fair few fights. My little man is a nervous cat and shies away from strangers coming into the home, and is always bullied by the female cat who teases him unmercifully. That is, until he gets pissed enough to put her in her place and when he does it's pretty scary. If she can't get up high enough out of his way she'll run to me for protection and she remains wary of him for a day or two... then gets cock enough to start all over again. It's a never-ending cycle and when Reality saw this for the first time it freaked him out. You just have to work out how much you're willing to put up with. quote: ORIGINAL: NuevaVida They will? This was the second visit. The first was 8 hours straight of pounce-hiss-pounce-hiss.... The visiting cat did well with another cat he stayed with while my friend was on vacation. But he can't stand Viktor (my guy). I figure why stress him out if he can ease happily into a new home elsewhere. And with my being gone all day at work, I wouldn't want to leave the kids alone together.

NuevaVida -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 1:14:24 AM)
Hmm, interesting. I guess I don't want a bunch of vet bills in the process. But I wonder if I get a 2nd young cat, will they tear the place apart.

wandersalone -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 1:19:33 AM)
My friend did a similar thing when she took in a friends cat. Her cat is the one that is quite old and the new one is young and energetic and I remember for the first few weeks she was terrified of leaving the house and coming back to finding they had killed each other. The two cats still don't like each other however they each keep to separate parts of the house and it is working out ok for them.

slaveboyforyou -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 1:26:15 AM)
You obviously have your mind made up. Why did you ask a question if you didn't want answers that conflict with your decision? Animals will adjust, and I assure you that they will not hurt each other enough for a vet visit. Jesus Christ, you said one of them is declawed. My cat is allowed outside. I've taken her to the vet for injuries twice in twelve years. Once for a nasty, pus filled bite wound from another cat. The other time was for a wound sustained by another animal (species unknown, I think it was a rabbit she tried to kill.).

NuevaVida -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 1:26:43 AM)
Hi wanders...if I lived in a bigger place I would consider that. But I'm in a small, one bedroom apartment so that wouldn't work here. I'd rather not put myself and both cats through the stress. Then again, my guy is finally ceasing to be Mr. Destruction around here, so I'm not sure I want to add another young one, too!

NuevaVida -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 1:28:22 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou You obviously have your mind made up. Why did you ask a question if you didn't want answers that conflict with your decision? Animals will adjust, and I assure you that they will not hurt each other enough for a vet visit. Jesus Christ, you said one of them is declawed. My cat is allowed outside. I've taken her to the vet for injuries twice in twelve years. Once for a nasty, pus filled bite wound from another cat. The other time was for a wound sustained by another animal (species unknown, I think it was a rabbit she tried to kill.). I didn't ask about adding the older cat. I asked about adding a younger cat.

wandersalone -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 1:30:41 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: NuevaVida Hi wanders...if I lived in a bigger place I would consider that. But I'm in a small, one bedroom apartment so that wouldn't work here. I'd rather not put myself and both cats through the stress. Then again, my guy is finally ceasing to be Mr. Destruction around here, so I'm not sure I want to add another young one, too! In that case it may be difficult. My friend even has to feed them in different rooms as they wont eat together, two different rooms for their litter trays etc.

NuevaVida -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 1:36:03 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: wandersalone In that case it may be difficult. My friend even has to feed them in different rooms as they wont eat together, two different rooms for their litter trays etc. That would be rough! I'm relatively new to the world of felines, so I appreciate hearing others' experiences as it will help me learn about them.

sravaka -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 1:58:20 AM)
Hi NuevaVida, I am no expert, but I think there's a difference between rough play and fighting with serious intent to do damage. I have two almost three year old cats. They were littermates, so have never not been around each other, and they go in a flash from snuggling together grooming each other (totally adorable) to sinking teeth into necks and swatting each other viciously in the head. They stalk each other, pounce, chase each other all over the house, wrestle, etc., and then go back to snuggling. I view them as have a bit of a BDSM thing going on. (Girl-kitty, who is far smaller than boy-kitty, has a definite, rather comical domme streak.) Every once in a while one of them turns up with a scratched nose or something, but since they seem to take it in stride so do I. Introducing strange cats to each other is little different. I merged my two with a friend's two for several fairly long periods and the hissing took 2-3 days to stop each time, even if they'd spent months together previously. My two would get discombobulated enough that they even hissed at each other for a while. But eventually they'd sort out the hierarchy and develop amusing little relationships. Growling can equal trouble, but hissing is just their normal reaction to stressful novelty. Viktor sounds a little like my Sophie-- aggressively playful, but not intending harm? That sounds mergeable to me; it would just depend on the personality/temperament of the other cat. Sometimes no-kill rescue outfits will let you take a cat home for a trial period but accept it back if things don't work out. If they do fostering, they also get to know the cats' personalities pretty well, and can predict which ones are likely to play well with others. I really like having two-- I feel much less guilty when I have to leave them alone, and they are endlessly fun to watch. Good luck!

MissIsis -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 2:28:33 AM)
I have always had multiple cats & a dog or two in the mix. They eventually figure it out, & come to some agreement. It may have looked or sounded bad to me sometimes, but really, they do figure it out. It is difficult, but you pretty much have to let them squabble it out till they get it together on their own. I have never had to take any of my animals to the vet due to them actually hurting each other. It sounds like both of these cats have had their own run of their homes. If it really gets on your nerves & you can't stand the fighting, you can always keep a spray bottle of water close by & spray it at them when they are fighting, but honestly, I think the transition goes better when you let them work it out. I have often read that it is best to separate them for just a little while first, keep one in a room, even a bathroom, while they get used to the other's scent. I used to do that. Now, I just let them go whenever they want when I bring home another one. They find their respective corners & manage. Very often, they get so used to each other, that they might eventually start sleeping together. That doesn't always happen, but it is nice when it does. Right now, I have 3 cats & 1 dog. The newest cat is the youngest. He is declawed, but he can certainly take care of himself. He is sleeping just inches from the dog he hated when he first came here. The other 2 cats are older. They never really bothered much with him, but he will sleep within a foot of them, most times, as well. I have pretty much always worked & had to leave them alone to get through the transition. They really do get through it.

sirsholly -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 2:37:32 AM)
imagine that you are with people you don't know, in a place you are not used to, and some little shit decides to tease the hell out of you. You would probably ask him to knock it off. That is exactly what the new cat is doing in the only way he knows how. Time and patience should make a huge difference here.[:)]

urtoy -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 2:43:11 AM)
Cats can (and usually do) learn to get along. They make great company for each other if you're away from home a lot. I've successfully used three means of introduction: 1. Putting them together and toughing out the hissing/spitting/growling while supervising to prevent serious injury (here it may help to set up their food dishes in separate areas to avoid conflict) 2. Confine one cat to the bedroom (may want to alternate) and let them get aquainted under the door where they can't hurt each other. 3. Buy a couple catnip plants and let the kitties get stoned together; mine have bonded after such an experience (and it's immensely amusing to watch). In any case, you're likely going to haver better luck with a younger cat wose temperment matches your present pet. Yes, they will tear the place apart, probably after bonding and deciding to join forces and plot against you. Cats are like that.

MissMorrigan -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 4:24:39 AM)
Slaveboy, come on, look at the wider picture before jumping in guns ablazing, eh? She's new to having cats, so newness also means the unlikelihood of being exposed to cats in their raw natural state of territorial/sexual competitors. All that's being shown here is a tentativeness due to inexperience, besides, there are other factors to take into consideration - one of which is the age issue. There's no doubt that a far younger cat would be more a more suitable 'playmate' than an ageing cat that is used to peace and quiet. I think that what you are reacting to is someone who has decided that lessening the quality of life for the older cat isn't tangible with introducing a cat that's going to cause considerable disharmony. Talking to experienced cat owners also provides answers to those questions we often don't think of asking. quote: ORIGINAL: slaveboyforyou You obviously have your mind made up. Why did you ask a question if you didn't want answers that conflict with your decision? Animals will adjust, and I assure you that they will not hurt each other enough for a vet visit. Jesus Christ, you said one of them is declawed. My cat is allowed outside. I've taken her to the vet for injuries twice in twelve years. Once for a nasty, pus filled bite wound from another cat. The other time was for a wound sustained by another animal (species unknown, I think it was a rabbit she tried to kill.).

Vendaval -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 5:06:50 AM)
When introducing 2 cats to each other and one is the established king or queen of the territory keeping them in separate rooms at first is usually required. Gradually let them into the same space together and monitor their behavior. Keep a water bottle nearby to help break up fights and a couple of old towels for clean up or bundling up a hissing, spitting bundle of fur that needs to be moved to keep yourself from being scratched In the majority of cases they do eventually establish their pecking order. However, some animals that have been abused or are highly aggressive will not adjust to another cat in their space.

cjan -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 6:09:06 AM)
Lots of good advice here from some posters, NV. I've had many og and cat pets over the years and agree that they, eventually, learn to live together. Btw, I especially like urtoy's suggestions. Too bad these suggestions aren't as easily applied to , oh say, The Israelis and Palestinians...but then it hasn't been tried yet, has it ?

CatdeMedici -> RE: cat on cat (2/8/2009 6:14:03 AM)
I had a friend not long ago with a cat just like that, they had to put him on hormones for about a year--then he became a normal "cat"--play, sleep, eat but not Simba every day.

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