what can i do?!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2003
what can i do?!
4
Sun, 02-27-2005 - 11:15pm

Introducing cats. I know the best way (and i have successfully done it before) is to introduce is slowly. Put the new cat in a room, let the other smell, yada yada. Put new cat in carrier, let resident cat smell. yada yada. Do this for weeks. Yada yada.

BUT, what do you do when you have 3 cats (all male - neutered), 14 years, 9 mos, and 6 mos. They all get along great. Now. Bring in another cat. 1 year old, male, will be neutered very soon. My kitten (6 mos) WAS the newest to the family a few months ago. When he came in, he hissed and spit for a day, then he stopped, and warmed up to the other guys. Its been about 3 months since then. So i've brought this new guy home, and my kitten is going MENTAL! He's hissing, growling, and chasing after the new guy with claws out. The new guy doesnt fight back, and he gets scared. Usually hides in the litterbox or comes running for me. I can't figure out why my kitten is doing this. He's used to living with other cats. The other 2 cats have no problem with the new guy. I don't understand. I've never heard of this before. You'd assume he'd get along with the new guy, considering he's spent most of his life with other cats, and he's still young enough to learn.

Any suggestions? I don't know what to do. I don't want to give the new guy up (i work at the humane society and he was gonna be euthanized for lack of space), and i'm not giving my kitten up because, well, thats just not an option.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 02-28-2005 - 6:50am

It sounds like you are just going to have to be patient and let them duke it out to figure out their pecking orders.

Cat =^..^=
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2003
Mon, 02-28-2005 - 12:51pm

Do you have a room to put either the kitten or the new guy in from time to time? The kitten shouldn't be allowed to terrorize the newcomer. Please try posting on the Think Like a Cat Board run by Pam Johnson-Bennett, a behaviourist with many years of experience. The link is http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ptthinkcat.

When I brought in a third cat to my home, the younger of my first two, the baby of the family, had a very territorial reaction. It seemed to me like a sibling reacting to a new brother or sister joining the family, in addition to regular cat territorial issues. But Pam did advise me to slow down the interactions and not let them fight as it could become a habitual type of interaction. It is probably best when you are there to supervise their interactions and not leave them alone together. Have toys and snacks on hand for distraction. It can take time, but it can be done. But as I've read elsewhere, it is the cats' timetable that will determine the introduction speed. And Pam and the CLs on that board will be able to give you advise specific to your situation.
Cynthia

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2005
Mon, 02-28-2005 - 1:09pm

I wish you luck its not impossible really !

dont worry I had a girl(name is lil girl)- then a boy (oscar) then another boy (kosmo) and then brought in another girl (tabby), the girl was fine the first boy was fine but the last boy (kosmo the kitten that was left in my apt bulding infested with fleas)
gave her such a hard time and even bullied her meanwhile she was twice his size and afraid of his hiss and spit (and growling ..not like a dog growl more like a cat WHINE)

LOL well the only thing i found helpful was when I shook the treat container (whisker lickins) they ALL came running, and since cats arent like dogs ( my old dog Yotie would attack if another dog came near his food) they just observe each other while eating their treats, they re so focused on getting treats for themselves they forget that they are trying to keep a reputation for being the bully LOL

I did this 3 times and then I came home from church, walked in the kitchen and Tabby and Kosmo were playing with a twist tie from my bread box LOL problem solved. maybe give this a try if your kitties arent aggressive around food :) good luck !

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Mon, 02-28-2005 - 3:01pm
I am having a similar problem. Brought in a 5 mos. old female kitty (trapped her from walm. parking lot, she was born there) she is taming up nicely, just shy. My calico kitten is younger, she is showing out, harassing Rose. Rose made the mistake of running when little Cali came after her, now Cali has made a game of it, she knows she rules, poor Rose is scared to death. I do keep them separated as much as I can, but Rose is in my bedroom and we do not leave the door shut 24/7, the other cats go in and out of there, they are all fine with her. I've been fussing at Cali about it, but at the same time trying to give her lots of attention, she was the "baby" here. She knows what she is doing. Donna