Help!!

I really need some help. I have 4 cats Wilbur, Ginger, Omalley, and Templeton, Ages: 3,4,1,1, respectively. I also have a 5 year old foster cat. Boo. He has been at our house for 3 1/2 weeks now, he had been at the humane society for over a month, but he had begun to sneeze, he narrowly missed being put down, when they called and asked if I would foster him, I had met him before and it was love at first sight. He is a beautiful bi color British shorthair, lilac and white. He was an owner surrender, after 5 years! and also declawed. All of my cats are neutered, and Ginger being a girl is spayed, she is also the only other one that is declawed, she was when we got her from the shelter 2 1/2 years ago, also a owner surrender. My cats all get along well, Ginger is definetly the pissiest. and very jealous. Boo stayed in his own room for 1 week, it turns out he didn't have a respiratory virus, just sneezes if he smells any scent that he doesn't like. He first met Wilbur, my russian blue, and the most accepting of my cats, and they seemed to get along fine. then he met Omalley when I found the 2 of them sleeping next to each other downstairs. Unfortunately Ginger came in all 7 pounds of he hissing and chasing him. so for the last week and a half Ginger has terrorized Boo, every chance she gets, forcing him to hide under the bed or shelves. Now he even seems scared of Omalley, swatting him in the head when Omalley tried to play.
We have been using feliway, the perfume trick a spray bottle on Ginger and even using water violet flower essence in their water. I don't know what to do. We really want to make Boo a member of the family, but not if he is miserable or my others are miserable. Will they work it out? Should we ignore Ginger? Boo? What can we do? Thanks for any advice you can give me. Gayle

First of all welcome to TCS! Since Ginger was also declawed when you adopted her, and is less able to defend herself, it's possible she feels more threatened than the other cats by the addition of Boo to your household. Some of the experts here recommend putting a small amount of vanilla under the nose of each cat during introductions to neutralize their different smells. Hopefully, that will help the two cats get along better. It's so wonderful you are fostering Boo, and I hope it works out so he can become a permanent member of your family.

There are others here who are more knowledgeable and can give you more help.

Did you say that you are using the spray bottle on Ginger? You should not spray her, that will only make her more defensive. I would give her lots of attention, and treats, whatever she really likes, whenever the new cat is around, so she associates him with positive things, not negative. And give them some time. Also make sure you have lots of litter boxes, and separate feeding areas for the new boy.

Bravo to you for rescuing and fostering these unwanted cats!

I think you would be wise to separate Boo from the others again. This time, you should keep him separated for a longer period of time. Basically, you will need to keep him separated long enough for Ginger to "forget" that she can beat him up. Once she has "forgotten" him, you can bring him back out.

Please click here for a thread about how to successfully introduce a new cat to resident kitties.

Good luck!