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Agressive behavior towards a new cat

post #1 of 4
1/27/12 at 9:35am
Thread Starter 

I am asking for some sage advice here.....this site has been very helpful to me in the past. 

 

Molly, my 7 year old female is not accepting a 7 month old male (Milo) that we adopted in late November 2011.  I took my time and did the introduction by the book and it seemed to be going okay for awhile, with a few unfriendly pounces by Molly, but is now getting worse.  Milo is a mellow dude and does not instigate or fight back.  He has a cut on his nose....occuring from a nose to nose sniff, then a swipe by Molly.  It was healing, then she got him again yesterday. 

 

Molly gets this glazed look in her eyes, ears back, and I know she is about to attack.  But sometimes she is fine with him being near... but that is becoming less and less often. 

 

She is on day 2 of the Sentry Calming Collar, with no sign of backing off her bad behavior.

 

Both cats are "fixed", but have their claws. Their nails are trimmed.

 

I've tried praising her when she is not aggressive.  She gets alot of love and attention from us.

 

I've tried squirting her with a water stream when she is in the act of attacking (she really hates that).  This is not playful wrestling.  

 

In the past, Molly has lived in harmony with an elderly female cat and a brother, both now deceased.  She has been an only cat for about 2 years or so.  Her brother used to be a bit aggressive towards her, but in a playful way.  I got Molly and her brother when they were feral kittens.  Molly has always been a scaredy-cat, so this aggression is a bit surprising.

 

I am not expecting best buddies here, just to tolerate each other would be fine with me.  Neither one likes to be isolated in a room.

 

I am open to suggestions on my next move. 

 

Thanks

 

(sorry this is rambling, but I am having trouble with the editing tools)

 

 

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post #2 of 4
1/27/12 at 2:43pm

I am sorry the calming collar isn't working.  It must mean she is a pretty confident girl to begin with.  The Calming Collar is meant to calm anxiety and stress and give fearful cats a boost.... Then curbing any aggression.  But if the cat is already confident, it may not do much.  You say she is not confident but he may be terrorizing her when you aren't around?  Cats are smart and smart enough to not do no no's in front of mommy.  Maybe he needs a Calming Collar, as well?  That could help.  Maybe try Feliway Plug ins.  They are supposed to relax cats.  I didn't have much luck with them myself, but I know many who have and swear by them!  

 

It may be that they just don't like eachother?  That can happen with cats just like with people.  Is there any way to separate them and then do an positive association reintroduction? 

 

Keep them separate for a few days or a week and then prepare their favorite dish or just something they will absolutely love and want more of... Sit down on the floor, sit one dish about a foot away from you on one side and the other about a foot away on the other side of you.  Do this several times.  Don't let them interact.  The idea is for them to associate the other cat with the great food.  Slowly move toward interaction.  After a couple successes with the yummy food, try treats.  Get them to come closer and closer to eachother.  If one growls or hisses, take the treat away, separate them again and start over tomorrow.  You want them to be able to be almost next to eachother with no aggression.  It'll take time but in the long run, it will be worth it.  They may not be buddies, but they will be able to live together without fighting.

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post #3 of 4
1/27/12 at 4:33pm

Hi Ladybug60, Welcome to TCS!

 

I agree with P3 and the King. It might be worth trying a re-introduction. Sounds like you already know what to do, but there are some good tips in this article that may help: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

 

You can also try putting a dab of vanilla on each of them - that way they smell the same to one another. H Molly been to the vet? It could be that she's not feeling well and is lashing out just to make sure he doesn't think something's wrong. Any sudden changes in behavior call for a vet chick up.

 

Good luck! Sorry I don't have too much other advice, but I'm sure someone who's been in your position will be along soon. :)

 

 

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post #4 of 4
1/28/12 at 6:26am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the great ideas. 

 

Molly seems happy and healthy.  She does not act sick, but I know they hide illnesses.  I will keep an eye on her for signs health problems.

 

I think I will try the reintroduction tip with what they love, little pieces of tuna.  They are not into cat treats.

 

I will also try the vanilla for the nose-to-nose contact.

 

I hope it works!

 

Thanks!

 

 

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