musical cats

Hi everyone,

I'm the gal who has the black feral cat who won't use the litter box except to sleep in. It's been awhile since I've posted and now I find I have another problem.

It seems I have attracted another feral cat who absolutely has fallen in love with me and I with him. He's much bigger than Kee-Kee (the black cat) but is so sweet. Not sure but I have a feeling he may have been someone's pet a long time ago since he's extrememly friendly. The problem is that everytime Kee-Kee sees this new cat outside he goes into a fit hissing and making these ungodly noises. I really want to keep this new cat and have started letting him come into the house. Now, besides having 2 cats who won't use the litter box, I find I'm on constant guard so they won't attack each other. So far it's been musical cats since the minute one shows up at the front door I'm getting the other one out the back door. There must be a way that I can get Kee-Kee to accept this new cat.

I understand there's a medication which you can get from your vet that will make them acceptable to each other---sort of a pheromone type of thing I guess. Wonder if anyone knows about this medicine and has had any experience with it. I really want them to get along and I guess in time that would probably happen naturally, but I'd really like to speed up the process if possible.

Thanks everyone for any help you can offer.

Barbara "Mupcat"

Fixing the cats will help.
Denise

If they are both feral and you have introduced them to quickly together you threaten the one who was there first. Cats have a general order of heirarchy to follow. here is the link to an article about this very issue. But you should not have put them both together right away without having a vet check done on the new one first.

Introductions

Although I have only a small amount of experrience with ferals, I would go with the majority on this one. First- time, and patients with them. Medication can do wonders, but it can also have reverse effects and can be very frustrating. I would only use it as a last resort. Most of the drugs used are not feramones, but either anti depressants, or sedatives.
I wanted to add too with the litter box issue. I have found that with cats who feel secure hiding, you might want to give them an alternative such as a cardboard box with a cutout, or those nice little fabric tents.

Thanks all for the advice. I actually have had both checked and Kee-Kee was fixed many months ago and the "new kid on the block" has already been fixed. We have a program in the area where the strays are picked up and the vets will fix them gratis thanks to a wonderful woman who left lots of $$$$ for such a service. I have an idea that the new kid was in one of those batches or he may have been someone's pet.

Thanks Vikki for the information on Bach's--I've not heard of that. Right now there seems to be some sort of a truce. They are each in their respective chairs sound asleep and the hollering seems to be less than what it was.

I agree in the best of all worlds keeping them each in a different room and introducing them gradually would have been the ideal way of solving this problem, but since each one has had a life almost totally outdoors and won't use the litter box I just thought it would be easier this way. Granted I mean easier on me! Anyway, thanks also for the suggestion of the covered litter box, Sandie. That just might work. I'll give it a try.

Ok, off I go to see if anyone is waving a white flag. Thanks again everyone.

"Mupcat"

Thanks Vikki I actually tried that about 3 months ago when I believe Heidi suggested it. Turns out he absolutely loved it to sleep on---softer than the litter I guess. I even tried to find some of his used dirt but never could catch him doing anything. I will try two boxes though. I always thought using a box was sort of a no brainer for a cat. Must be only if you catch them as a kitten and train them.
I'll keep everyone posted as to any progress.

Mupcat

Thanks Vikki for some great suggestions. I know when I first started this adventure with Kee-Kee I put the litter box in a very small bathroom and WE would each go to our respective boxes and as I was sitting there scratching in his box and trying to make it as inviting and interesting to him as possible he'd get in, sniff around then lay down. A couple of times I would catch him literally sleeping in there. Now, I must say, one time and one time only did he actually use the box and it surprised me so much I almost drowned the poor thing in kisses and praises. Again I was in the same area so I was able to witness him-----what a glorious time that was!

I like the idea of putting various boxes around rather than trying to confine them each to a small area. With the way our house is configured I'm afraid that's not the best option. Guess I just want them to have another choice in case I'm not around to let them out. I really don't think they will ever be completely indoor cats-----not at this stage of their lives. We live in a very safe area with no traffic etc and outside of wandering down to the beach they don't seem to wander far.

I've been a dog person all my life only because I thought I was allergic to cats, but now that doesn't seem to be the case and since we've lost our 15 year old terrier, I'm very grateful these two feline bundles of joy have chosen me to be a part of their lives.

Mupcat