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New cat help!

post #1 of 13
1/12/12 at 6:42pm
Thread Starter 

Hi all, I'm new to the forum, but have been using it to help with a problem that I really need some help on.  I have two male cats(Felix and Sylvester), brothers, whom I've had since they were 12 weeks old.  They are 5 and a half now.  They play together, groom each other, and really have a good relationship. Both Felix and Sylvester are very shy cats, by the way.

On Christmas, I was at my Dad's farm, and he had a cat that a buddy of his left in the barn, because he was dominating his other cats.  He looks like an Ocicat mix, is very friendly, and definitely had been a house cat at one time.  I ended up taking him home because I didn't think a cat like that should live in the barn. 

I found out that Mingo was two, and had been fixed, as had my cats.  He is very outgoing, and very aggressive towards my boys.  I kept him secluded for about a week, then tried slow, supervised introductions.  Each time he stalked my cats, ate from their bowl, and used their litterbox.  The last time I let him out, he attacked both.  He is much smaller than my boys, by the way.  I know it hasn't been too long, but is there any hope of them co-existing?  I'm pretty sure Mingo wasn't around other cats much as a kitten, and he hasn't shown tolerance for other cats.  I'd love to keep him, but not at the expense of my existing cats happiness.  Thanks.

 

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post #2 of 13
1/12/12 at 9:35pm
Hello and welcome to TCS clap.gif. That was very kind of you to take home this cat..... It sounds as if Mingo is very dominant and might need more time separated from Felix and Sylvester. One week is really not too long and you might be rushing the introductions a bit. You said he was left at your dads farm by his other owner because he was dominate to other cat's. This very well may be the truth and this cat may not do well living with other cat's. There are some cat's who are just plain cat aggressive and that you cannot change in their personalities. OR Mingo needs another high energy, out-going playmate. I would try to give it more time and keep him separated from your other two cat's unless you are supervising. It was nice of you to take Mingo home, It can take quite some time for adult cat's to figure each other out and live together peacefully.

I am going to have this thread moved to the Behavior Forum. You will get much more support on this issue in that Forum. I am sure other members will come along and have some great suggestions and offer advice for you!! Again, welcome hugs.gif and glad you found us biggrin.gifwavey.gif
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post #3 of 13
1/12/12 at 10:01pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks, I didn't really know which forum to put it under, but S.O.S sounded good to me for this situation!  lol.  Mingo isn't really too high energy, though, he's kind of laid back, which made me think he could do well with my boys.  He actually seems to have the same energy level that they do, if he could just learn to get along with them, he'd have a nice, spoiled life like they do.

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post #4 of 13
1/13/12 at 7:02am

You may also want to try the Feliway pheremone spray or diffuser. It's quite possible that Mingo is feeling territorial because this isn't "his" home and he wants to make it that way. You may want to try the diffuser in Mingo's "room" first to help him feel comfortable in that space before you attempt introductions again....

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post #5 of 13
1/13/12 at 7:38am

Your new kitty may be an alpha and may not work.  Try to separate him again.  Feliway in this instance won't help, either.  It may actually make it worse!!!!  Let me explain, Feliway has pheremones in it... For a frightened or stressed out kitty, it makes them more confident.  On an alpha cat, already confident, it may only make him more confident and aggressive.    I don't know where you are but do you have a pet specialty store nearby?  If so, try the Calming Collar.  It smells really good and may help him to calm down and not be as aggressive.  They cost about $6-$7. 

 

Also, have you gotten confirmation from your vet that has examined him that he is indeed neutered?  If not, I would do that, as well.  Sometimes it's hard to know just by looking. 

 

Another thing you can try is to take something your cats have sat or layed on and put it in the room with him so he can get used to their scents.  Their relaxed scents.  It may help him to be around that 24/7 while in seclusion.  And a couple times a day, put your other 2 in another room and bring him out to play with you one on one.  He may be feeling stressed out in seclusion. 

 

If it doesn't help or the behavior doesn't improve over the next few weeks, I would say he isn't a good fit for your family.  Ocicats are known for being a little wild and he may need to have a home where he is the only kitty.  I am sorry.  I wish you luck, though...


Edited by P3 and The King - 1/13/12 at 8:00am
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post #6 of 13
1/13/12 at 9:32am
Thread Starter 

Unfortunately, I think the new cat isn't going to work in a multi-cat household.  He is very confident and dominant.  However, there is some good news.  A friend of mine said her aunt was willing to give Mingo a chance.  She has a Collie, but the dog is good around cats, so hopefully Mingo can live peacefully with a dog.  Has anyone had any experience with an alpha cat co-existing with a dog?  I really hope this works out for him.

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post #7 of 13
1/13/12 at 10:50am

They can, if they are used to it.  But, I believe Mingo is an only pet type of cat.  So you might want to tell her if it doesn't work, you'll help her find a more suitable home.  Usually alphas that are like Mingo do not do well with any other pets.  It can happen, but only if it's a good match.  Good luck and I am sorry he didn't work for you.

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post #8 of 13
1/13/12 at 4:58pm
Thread Starter 

I'm hoping Mingo will react differently to the dog than he did my cats.  I just want him in a good home, he is so friendly and happy with attention.  I'm going to let her know that I will take him back if things don't work out at her house. 

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post #9 of 13
1/13/12 at 10:04pm
I think this is great news clap.gifclap.gif that you found another situation for Mingo. AND I do think it can work quite well, a dog for Mingo. Many dominant cats do much better in a home with dogs than they do with cat's. Dogs have a completely different social hierarchy than cat's. I think Mingo will enjoy the companionship of a dog once he knows he can trust this dog. The collie and Mngo just might become best friends cross.gif We can hope. You are doing a wonderful thing for this cat hugs.gif Please keep us posted on Mingo wavey.gifvibes.gif
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post #10 of 13
1/15/12 at 9:38pm
Thread Starter 

Mingo and I met his new family on Saturday, and it went well.  I liked them, and he seemed to as well.  They like him, and are going to take him on, based on how he does.  I think he will be fine, my dad says he avoided his Dachsund when he was on the farm, so I'm hoping he won't be aggressive towards a Collie.  I am keeping him this week, because he gets his last booster shots and worm medicine next saturday, then they pick him up in the afternoon.  Hopefully it goes well, but I am going to miss the little guy, he kinda grows on you.  If he ends up coming back, I'm sure I'll be opening another thread on him again!  lol

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post #11 of 13
1/16/12 at 6:25am

That's great news!!  We'll all hope for the best!  If he avoided the dashund, he should the collie as well.  The collie will be much bigger than him.  Of course, to some cats (like Bengals) that doesn't really matter but hopefully he won't see it as a rival for his "alpha" position.

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post #12 of 13
1/16/12 at 8:05pm
woohoo.gifclap.gif Love this update !!!!! I am sure that Mingo will not see the collie in the same way he perceives another cat. I think they will become fast friends cross.gif. This is a fantastic thing you have done for Mingo. These people will be lucky to have such a wonderful cat as Mingo to share their life with. I know you will miss him but I am sure you will be getting lots of great updates on him. Let us know how it all turns out. Good luck on Saturday hugs.gifvibes.gifwavey.gif
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post #13 of 13
1/30/12 at 7:22am
Thread Starter 

Great news!  I have a final update on Mingo!  His new name is Walter, he's getting along fine with the dog, and he apparently is a great lap cat.  His new family loves him!  Thanks all for your help!  On a side note, Felix and Sylvester have gone back to being fat and happy, I don't think I'm going try introducing a new cat any time soon.  Haha.

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