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Cat Hates New Cat

post #1 of 20
12/24/09 at 1:09am
Thread Starter 
Greetings!

I have recently been having a lot of trouble trying to get my cat to like a new cat that was given to me by a friend. The new cat, Jasmine, is used to being around other cats, and was quite friendly to my other cat, Boo, but Boo, who is also usually quite friendly, has been very hostile towards Jasmine and has fought with her several times, and has also seemingly gotten annoyed at me, though she hasn't harmed me and continues to purr when I pet her.
I have already tried several methods in trying to get them to know/like each other, many of which coming from this site which have worked for me before, but alas none have worked this time. I have been told to let Jasmine and Boo fight each other, so one could gain dominance over the other and establish some kind of harmony, but somehow I think it will either end up with one of them dead, or one of them getting chased off and I really don't want to risk it.
Can anyone give me some tips/help as to what to do with these two kitties? I really don't want to have to put Jasmine in a shelter, and I could never get rid of Boo, disagreeable as she is, I still love her.
I can't understand why Boo has been so hateful, tho. It's very much unlike her and we have introduced her to several cats before.

Help would be much appreciated.

Sorry, btw, if a thread like this has been made before or I am posting this in the wrong board.
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post #2 of 20
12/25/09 at 7:36pm
First off - in an effort to understanding better & be able to offer better advice, I have some questions for you.

How long have you had the new kitty?
Did you keep newbie & resident kitty separate at first & do a slow introduction?
Have you tried Feliway or Rescue Remedy?

It's fairly common for cats to dislike a new kitty in "their" territory. It is also not uncommon for them to show re-directed aggression towards humans - the resident kitty is upset so swats their owner - happens often.
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post #3 of 20
12/25/09 at 10:07pm
Thread Starter 
Okay.
I've had the new kitty, Jasmine, for around 2 weeks.

I kept her away from Boo, my other kitty, for about a week, after 4 days I started rubbing each with towels and putting the towels in each others rooms. After 3 days of doing this, I opened the door to Jasmines room and let them see each other through a screen door. The next day they seemed okay together, so I let Jasmine out, but Boo started hissing and leapt on her the moment her back turned and started fighting.

I can't really get Feliway or Rescue Remedy in my area. I can't really order things from online, since I have no means to, and I can't find any in nearby pet stores.

Thing is, tho, when I put them together, it was neither in Boo's territory, or Jasmine's. I let them both into a room neither had been in before, and I sat between them the entire time. At one point Jasmine sat on my lap, and Boo started getting closer to sniff her, but when Boo got too close, Jasmine hissed and Boo jumped on her and they started cat-fighting on my lap, which led to much pain for me since Boo bombarded me while I shielded Jasmine.
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post #4 of 20
12/26/09 at 7:48am
Two weeks isn't very long. It can take months for cats to learn to co exist.

Put towels that smell like the opposite cat under their food dishes. Make sure they each have their own litter boxes. When putting them in a room together, put a dot of vanilla on the nose and chin and root of tail of each cat so they smell the same.

And don't despair, someday it will be all right.
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post #5 of 20
12/27/09 at 7:37am
Thread Starter 
Well, I rather thought it was pretty long, 2 weeks, that is, 'cos I rather thought Boo had learned to love cats and kittens 'cos she usually started liking them in under a week. Especially kittens. 3 days and she's already cleaning them and sleeping beside them! But then, Boo has had 3 litters in the past 3 years(Or maybe 4 years....? Not sure.) I have had her, so there were always kittens who would go up and play with new cats, and if her kittens are sweet on a cat, she is too. I think she's especially upset this time around because all her kittens have went to their own homes (Good ones, if I may say so myself.) so there aren't any kittens around to put her at ease about Jasmine.

I did the towel thing, btw, but it isn't having much effect.
Also, I tried putting the both of them in cat carriers, and placing in front of each other, but they just kept on hissing and growling at each other. At one point they both fell asleep, but when they woke up, they cleaned themselves, yawned, as pretty as pie.... and started hissing and growling all over again. =_=

About the vanilla, I'm thinking about giving both cats a shower (Since they're pretty dirty.), so if I were to use the same shampoo, would it work the same way?

Thx, btw, for both your kind help! I really appreciate it! I'll try to despair a little less and go at it with Steadfast Determination! YES!
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post #6 of 20
12/27/09 at 8:55am
I'm assuming Boo is not spayed? That in itself will be a major part of the problem - unspayed or unneutered cats are far more territorial. I'd get Boo spayed ASAP, and Jasmine too if she isn't already. See if that helps any. I've had foster kittens get fixed at 9-10 weeks, and my one old cranky cat is far more accepting of them once they're fixed.
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post #7 of 20
12/27/09 at 7:56pm
Thread Starter 
Well, I dunno. I understand that spaying/neutering can help, but I don't really like the idea. I always keep Boo's kittens myself, unless someone asks for one, I never like to part with them. Plus, she is really a stray cat I found in my garden one day, and while I feed her and take her to the vet and stuff she is still a free cat able to go and do what she pleases, I rather feel like I don't own her to do something like that to her. And, really, she loves her kittens so much. When I see her purring as she feeds them and cleans them, and showering them with affection and love, I rather feel it would be a dastardly thing to do to suddenly rid her of the ability to have more kittens. No offense meant, of course.
I know it probably sounds like a silly reason, but there you have it.
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post #8 of 20
12/27/09 at 8:07pm
Please get her spayed. She will be a much happier healthier cat. It's cruel to force her to carry litter after litter of kittens like that, three pregnancies, three labors, three litters, my gosh her poor little body! And she is at greater risk every day for diseases like pyometra and uterine cancer.

Getting her spayed is the best kindest thing you can do for her, since you have taken the responsibility of caring for her.

She takes care of the the kittens because it's instinct. She doesn't enjoy being pregnant, she doesn't even enjoy mating, it hurts a female to copulate with a male. The only part of her that feels the desire to breed is the biological part. She'll never miss it, except to be healthier, happier and live a longer life.

And if the other female is not spayed, she needs to be too. Unspayed, one or both, they are not likely to ever get a long very well.
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post #9 of 20
12/27/09 at 8:46pm
TCS Rule #2

Quote:
2. Please make sure to spay and neuter your cats. Unless you are a professional breeder and your cat is part of a professional breeding program, please educate yourself to the importance of spaying and neutering by the time your cat is 4-6 months old. If you take care of a feral colony, please make sure to do so responsibly by practicing TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) protocols within the colony. By spaying and neutering, you enhance a cat's quality of life and improve their longterm health. You are also proving your love for cats because in acting as a responsible pet owner/caregiver you are minimizing the problem of cat overpopulation.
For health reasons, please spay her. As a shelter volunteer - I see it over & over again - people let their cat have kittens, saying they know the new owners will spay/neuter - and we eventually get the kittens as adults with their litters. Many unspayed females become aggressive (IMO - we see many surrendered cats who have shown human aggression that once spayed are not aggressive), and you risk her health leaving her unspayed.
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post #10 of 20
12/27/09 at 9:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cat's_Pyjamas View Post
I rather feel it would be a dastardly thing to do to suddenly rid her of the ability to have more kittens.

How about protecting her from the possibly deadly diseases the neighbourhood tom carries?

Spayed/neutered cats are often more even tempered without their hormones.
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post #11 of 20
12/27/09 at 9:53pm
I agree with everyone - get her spayed. She will not miss having kittens. She wouldn't be subjected to the possibility of diseases. Not only that, but having constant litters can really destroy her body. There is a cat over population problem, there are too many cats and not enough homes for them. You are adding to that problem by keeping her unspayed. For both of the cats' sakes, and yours, please, please spay her. You aren't taking anything away from her, you will be doing the responsible thing, you would be helping her in the long run.
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post #12 of 20
12/27/09 at 9:55pm
Thread Starter 
Uh... Well... When you all put it that way... I guess I should consider finding a vet for the job, huh. ._.
I didn't think it was as bad as all that for her! I mean, I thought kitties gave birth to kittens with less pain and risk then that. Like I know it had some pain and risk, but not that much!
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post #13 of 20
12/27/09 at 10:13pm
Tragically even experienced breeders occasionally loose girls, it's not risk free at all. You also need to be careful how close together they have litters, if she's roaming free you have no control at all and seriously risk her health.

I do hope you reconsider and get everyone spayed.
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post #14 of 20
12/28/09 at 1:00am
Not only that, but millions of perfectly healthy cats are killed every year in the US alone because of overpopulation. Kitties like yours are a BIG part of the problem; It is really really sad...
By spaying her, you will be doing a great thing for her, her health, and society. But most of all you love her... you will be doing her a favor - keeping her safe from pain, disease and lots of unnecessary risks - you are being a good mommy
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post #15 of 20
12/29/09 at 8:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cat's_Pyjamas View Post
Greetings!

I have recently been having a lot of trouble trying to get my cat to like a new cat that was given to me by a friend. The new cat, Jasmine, is used to being around other cats, and was quite friendly to my other cat, Boo, but Boo, who is also usually quite friendly, has been very hostile towards Jasmine and has fought with her several times, and has also seemingly gotten annoyed at me, though she hasn't harmed me and continues to purr when I pet her.
I have already tried several methods in trying to get them to know/like each other, many of which coming from this site which have worked for me before, but alas none have worked this time. I have been told to let Jasmine and Boo fight each other, so one could gain dominance over the other and establish some kind of harmony, but somehow I think it will either end up with one of them dead, or one of them getting chased off and I really don't want to risk it.
Can anyone give me some tips/help as to what to do with these two kitties? I really don't want to have to put Jasmine in a shelter, and I could never get rid of Boo, disagreeable as she is, I still love her.
I can't understand why Boo has been so hateful, tho. It's very much unlike her and we have introduced her to several cats before.

Help would be much appreciated.

Sorry, btw, if a thread like this has been made before or I am posting this in the wrong board.
It would be helpful if you furnished a time frame. It is quite normal what you are talking about to last for even several weeks but usually takes care of itself. In my case, Alley was the intruder in our home but Persi welcomed her with open paws only to be bitten and hissed at. I started bringing Persi into Alley's safe room and eventually would place them face to face. They are now the best of lovers and friends now. I used to get on this site crying my heart out over what I was going to do but everything worked itself out. I think it will for you too if you give it some time and spend some time introducing them to each other. But be careful, at first there may be a lot of hissing. Eventually it usually goes away. I am so happy we got a second cat for Persi, he really does love her and she loves him. But make no mistake they were mortal enimies in the beginning.
Time heals all wounds they say. With a little effort on your part I am sure they will end up being friends and I have this post in my subscription list so I know your response when the magical love happens.
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post #16 of 20
12/30/09 at 5:34am
AND you could be inadvertently be breeding FeLV and FIV (and other nasties) positive kittens and kittens doomed to euthanasia, etc.... I won't say that breeding a queen is cruel, because it is natural, but doing so without the proper procedure and knowledge..well that can just result in disaster. I agree with everyone else who suggests that you spay both girls.Good luck!!
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post #17 of 20
1/2/10 at 2:38am
Thread Starter 
@Persi & Alley, Wow! Long, awesome inspiring post! I hope they'll get along like that! At this point, it seems like that would be magic!

I'm looking to find a good vet to spay my kitties (the vet I usually go to is sick in bed at the moment). You guys have convinced me of its importance. I beg you to pardon my ignorance in the area of kitties. I mean, I usually do all the research I can before getting a pet, but since these cats came without me expecting them, I guess I rather neglected to really look into a lot of the stuff I normally would have looked into.
Anyhoo, they're still hissing their hate at each other, but they no longer get into as harsh fights as they used to. Which is good progress for them, I think!

Many thanks, btw, for everyone's help! Really, I am very grateful!
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post #18 of 20
1/2/10 at 6:31am
Thanks for keeping us updated. It will take time, is all, as has been said. The spayings will help in every area of their lives!
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post #19 of 20
1/6/10 at 12:01am
Thread Starter 
Thx everyone!

They're getting along now! I'm so happy! I was almost starting to lose hope there!

Someone, no names mentioned *glares at older brother*, let Jasmine outside into the balcony (where Boo lives) for the night without me knowing, and when I woke up in the morning, my little brother was panicking because Jasmine wasn't in her room. So I searched the house, and then went outside to check if she was there.
Much to my surprise, I saw Boo, Jasmine and a third cat I didn't know each sitting about a foot or two away from each other in a patch of sunlight! The new cat, who I took to be the neighbors recently adopted cat which I had heard a lot about, Bella, got frightened of me and bolted out the balcony door and then Jasmine and Boo walked, side by side, right up to me, purring and meowing and rubbing on each other as they rubbed on me!
It was so unexpected, I wondered if they hadn't been brainwashed by some type of peace-bringing aliens.
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post #20 of 20
1/6/10 at 5:16pm
Yay!! So glad it turned out ok, it oftentimes seems like an ETERNITY before the kittehs finally can co-exist and get along, I've been there too and am going through it again now with a new young cat in my house with 2 cats that have been here before him for 10 years (ugh)! Congrats and enjoy
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