Hi! I'm Emily. I'm here to ask a few questions about the family cats (my moms). We are having some difficulties and need all the advice we can get. I've already read several articles that were posted in the sticky with a list of common behavioral problems, but I need to expand on it. I hope I am posting this in the right place, and that I won't be asking dumb questions but I only know dogs and I'm no expert on cats. Please bear with me, I want to make sure I get all the necessary information posted so I can get help with our problem!
Okay, a little background. We have had Snuggles in the family for several years now, she was never Alpha until all the other cats passed on and she was left as an only cat in the house for a little over a year. She is spayed, healthy, UTD on shots, and an inside only cat. She has her claws and is scared of just about everything although she warms up to her people.
About 3 months ago, there was a cat left to die and my mom rescued her, her name is Mimzi. I believe she is a little older than Snuggles, and also much bigger, and overweight. She has been de-clawed (not by us) and she appears to be experiencing pain from it as she limps on them, and she never gets any exercise. We're not sure what to do about the overweight problem, and from the top of my head I believe they are both on Blue Wilderness food because it is the first kibble my mom has found that Snuggles is not allergic to that she will actually eat.
From all my reading, I'm learning that my mom should have separated them and slowly introduced them to each other to avoid power plays, etc. Now, both of them have their own litter boxes as well as food and water. They have never been separated and have always hung out in the same places even though they fight and swat/hiss at each other a lot. Snuggles is scared of Mimzi and doesn't seem to want anything to do with her, while Mimzi acts like she wants to coexist but she bullies Snuggles.
Both have a major elimination problem and try to earn possession over my mom's bed. She cleans with vinegar among other things to get rid of the smells but it doesn't seem to help, as they've also peed just right on top of my mom's cleaner anyway. One of her bed sets has been completely ruined and now that she has replaced it, during the day she has to put this plastic tarp thing on it to keep them from ruining her new one. My mom is stressing out a lot and doesn't know what she is supposed to do as she's never dealt with power plays like this except for once which lasted all of about a week.
So my questions are:
1. Is this just a power play, does the fact that Mimzi doesn't have her claws play a part in this at all? Is there anything we can do to help with her pain, and maybe get her some more exercise? I believe she eats only the amount of food that is in her size bracket, but I can double check on that.
2. Since they have already been introduced, can they still be separated and slowly introduce them again, or because they already know each other and their scents - it's too late to try it that way?
3. What can be done to help stop the marking? Anything? The cat boxes stay cleaned and fresh, my mom is really good about making sure of that.
4. Are we doomed, or is 3 months actually "normal" for introducing two female cats?
Usually they are allowed to roam the house, but with me visiting my mom and I have my dogs here (two rat terriers), they stay put in my mom's bedroom because one of my dogs has never been introduced with cats and barks at them. The other dog doesn't bother them at all, but I just read the article on introducing dogs to cats so I will follow those tips to see if maybe the cats can be let loose during the day instead of just at night. But even with the dogs gone, my mom still has to watch them carefully and deal with their fighting.
Any advice is helpful! Thank you! I'll go roam some more of the forum to see if I can find a few answers for myself.
Okay, a little background. We have had Snuggles in the family for several years now, she was never Alpha until all the other cats passed on and she was left as an only cat in the house for a little over a year. She is spayed, healthy, UTD on shots, and an inside only cat. She has her claws and is scared of just about everything although she warms up to her people.
About 3 months ago, there was a cat left to die and my mom rescued her, her name is Mimzi. I believe she is a little older than Snuggles, and also much bigger, and overweight. She has been de-clawed (not by us) and she appears to be experiencing pain from it as she limps on them, and she never gets any exercise. We're not sure what to do about the overweight problem, and from the top of my head I believe they are both on Blue Wilderness food because it is the first kibble my mom has found that Snuggles is not allergic to that she will actually eat.
From all my reading, I'm learning that my mom should have separated them and slowly introduced them to each other to avoid power plays, etc. Now, both of them have their own litter boxes as well as food and water. They have never been separated and have always hung out in the same places even though they fight and swat/hiss at each other a lot. Snuggles is scared of Mimzi and doesn't seem to want anything to do with her, while Mimzi acts like she wants to coexist but she bullies Snuggles.
Both have a major elimination problem and try to earn possession over my mom's bed. She cleans with vinegar among other things to get rid of the smells but it doesn't seem to help, as they've also peed just right on top of my mom's cleaner anyway. One of her bed sets has been completely ruined and now that she has replaced it, during the day she has to put this plastic tarp thing on it to keep them from ruining her new one. My mom is stressing out a lot and doesn't know what she is supposed to do as she's never dealt with power plays like this except for once which lasted all of about a week.
So my questions are:
1. Is this just a power play, does the fact that Mimzi doesn't have her claws play a part in this at all? Is there anything we can do to help with her pain, and maybe get her some more exercise? I believe she eats only the amount of food that is in her size bracket, but I can double check on that.
2. Since they have already been introduced, can they still be separated and slowly introduce them again, or because they already know each other and their scents - it's too late to try it that way?
3. What can be done to help stop the marking? Anything? The cat boxes stay cleaned and fresh, my mom is really good about making sure of that.
4. Are we doomed, or is 3 months actually "normal" for introducing two female cats?
Usually they are allowed to roam the house, but with me visiting my mom and I have my dogs here (two rat terriers), they stay put in my mom's bedroom because one of my dogs has never been introduced with cats and barks at them. The other dog doesn't bother them at all, but I just read the article on introducing dogs to cats so I will follow those tips to see if maybe the cats can be let loose during the day instead of just at night. But even with the dogs gone, my mom still has to watch them carefully and deal with their fighting.
Any advice is helpful! Thank you! I'll go roam some more of the forum to see if I can find a few answers for myself.
your way!
