Re-introducing my cat to his bro and sis after shelter, how?

huntersmommy

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My instinct is to put him in a bedroom away from the other two cats for now.  My son thinks they will never be friends again if he does.  Who is right or is there a 3rd option?
 

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Just need some clarity...
You adopted your current cat and have recently adopted his litter mates?
 
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huntersmommy

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Hunter is the brother, his sister Princess and brother Twinkie have been here at home while he spent 10 days in the shelter after scratching my leg all to pieces.  I took him home.  We have them separated but how do I get them back together?  Bro and sis were hissing a bit, Hunter is chill though.  Fed him in the bedroom then put his bro and sis in the bathroom so he could walk about the apartment freely.  How do I get them back together happily though?
 

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Ok. I suggest rubbing Hunter with blankets/clothing that smell like home and his siblings. If all 3 kitties got along fine prior, I don't suspect you need to keep Hunter isolated for very long.

The only reason the other kitties are hissing is because Hunter doesn't smell like they know him to.

Honestly if it were me, (and the cats previously got along) I'd rub the scent articles on Hunter and let him out with the others (supervised of course.) Some hissing is fine (and could be considered normal.) So long as there isn't any aggression, I'd let them be together.
 
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catsallaround

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Do you know the reason he got you so bad and has he been medically checked by YOUR vet?  If it is a case of redireceted aggression was it caused by your others or something that is likely to happen again(thunder or vacuum).
 
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huntersmommy

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Thank you!  They do have the occasional hissy fit but usually get along, eat from the same bowls, use the same litter boxes. 

I do believe it was a case of re-directed aggression and am on the lookout for it, also know if Hunter looks like that again to walk away from him not put my face down to him.
 
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huntersmommy

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I've put vanilla on them 3 times. 

I've used laser pointers and catnip toys.

They look at him and hiss at him like he's from another planet. 

We live in shifts, with 2 in the bathroom while Hunter roams around, then he is placed in my son's bedroom while the other two roam the apartment.  We have introduced one on one as it wouldn't be fair to have 2 cats hating him at once.
 
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huntersmommy

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Going to PetSmart to get some At Ease spray.  You can spray it on the cat or on blankets.  They use it in their shelter area for cats that come in to be groomed and whatnot at PetSmart.  There's also something I can buy to put in their water to calm them down. 

Also getting a few more catnip toys.  I think the old ones have lost their potency.  And the cats are bored with the red dot.  *sigh*

Twinkie went in the carrier so that hospital/shelter smell must be dissipating.  I gave him a treat for being a very brave cat.

Any input is appreciated!  This is so stressful on the whole family. 
 

shadowsrescue

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First off, when the whole family is stressed, the cats will pick up on it too.  It will make them stressed.  So try really really hard to keep calm.  I know how hard it is and how stressful it can be.  I brought a stray/feral into my home last year and did introductions with my resident cat.  It was awful.  It took them one year to coexist.  It took determination on my part, alot of hard work and trying lots of things.  When I was stressed and a mess, the cats were at their worst.  When I did my best to relax things went better.  I also found that my son and DH handled the cats much better than I did at times.  I allowed them to work with the cats without the fear/stress I was exhibiting.

Here are some links to introducing/reintroducing cats:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

and a video: 
I made sure to have plenty of feliway /comfort zone on hand.  I used the plug ins and the sprays.  I had them wherever the cats were.  I also used Composure liquid Max.  I first used it on both cats and then only on the more aggressive cat.  You can find it on Amazon.  Most pet stores only carry the treats and some cats do not like the taste of the treats.  The liquid is very easy to use.  It helped to calm both of the cats so they could focus on other things.

A few other tips:

1.  Be sure to have play time with all of the cats.  If you watch the video above, Jackson Galaxy will explain his technique of "Eat Play Love"  You can use this technique with your cats as a group when they are ready or separately.  Food is such a great motivator for cats.  When my two were ready for face to face (without a barrier) time, I used plain cooked chicken.  They began to associate each other with it. 

2.  I bought a cheap ($20) wooden screen door from Lowes/Home Depot.  Instead of defacing my door way, I attached it with cheap ($4) tension rods.  It was a pain to set it up and take down, but it worked wonders.  I put a baby gate in the door way for extra protection as the screen was flimsy.  I always supervised their time near the screen door too.  Yet, it allowed the cat in the room to feel part of the household.  He could see, hear and smell what was going on in the house.  I have pictures of the set up if you would like to see.

3.  I also moved to a large dog cage.  One cat would go inside and I would cover the cage with a sheet on 3 sides.  I would feed something delicious to both.  It allowed them to safely smell each other.  I gradually removed a side of the sheet as time went by.  I often did this activity 3 or more times in a day for short 5 minute or less sessions.
 

catsallaround

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I would NOT have catnip around as that could start a fight when they are "high".  I have that issue with my cats now who are friends.  I would get a feather toy on a stick or some other interactive toys on stick that you can drag.  
 

shadowsrescue

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I would NOT have catnip around as that could start a fight when they are "high".  I have that issue with my cats now who are friends.  I would get a feather toy on a stick or some other interactive toys on stick that you can drag.  
I agree.  I was told when introducing my two to not have any catnip around as they can act more aggressive with the catnip. Hold off on the catnip until all is well.
 
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huntersmommy

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Hunter did it again.  I am on meds, went to ER, all scratched up.  I got discouraged/tired/lazy/haphazard and didn't use the vanilla because it was so slow working.  We decided we have to lose our cats (we are at odds about  whether to keep just one) .... we have to move, we have a financial crisis, I feel horrible and like everyone will judge me.  I can't take being lacerated by an 18 pound cat again!  I am afraid of all of them.  Especially his brother who looks the same and has powerful back paws that he uses really well.  Those back claws hurt and if he went at me I would be down to bare muscle.  The girl cat has health issues.  I am just at wits end and ready to break down!   

I got the liquid that calms them and put it in the water but they wouldn't drink it and it didn't help.  The two that hadn't attacked me, were hissing at each other.  Both boys kept chasing her and horrible fights before this all happened.  I wish I had vet money  or I would have taken Hunter to the vet when he started the weird meowing and restlessness.  I loved him so much!  And we were so happy together until this happened, he was up on my desk albeit a little touchy.  And he has a weird bump on his head.  If something is terribly wrong with him we will not be able to afford it.  I feel horrible.
 
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huntersmommy

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Forgot to mention, it was confined Twinkie and Princess fighting that set Hunter off, he heard them and started his meowing, stalking, and low growl again.  I thought catnip would help so I was getting it but he attacked me before I even got hold of it (and now I know it isn't a good idea) .... we had to throw water on him and son captured him with a blanket and he is in the bedroom, NOT happy, and no one has a bathroom or anywhere to sleep anymore sort of.  Ughh, why did I ever get cats you need money to properly take care of them!  Never again! 
 

catsallaround

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Cats are a lot of work at times.  I have a bunch and know that all to well.  I had a cat who took years to not attack others and turned out year later realized he was very sick and that is why he stopped.  He had gotten me more then once with redirected aggression.  In cats being related means nothing.  Whatever you do be honest.  If you surrender to a shelter keep in mind yes it means most likely he will be euthanized BUT what he did to you he could do to a toddler.
 
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huntersmommy

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Thank you CatsAllAround because I am falling apart.  I am a softy and keep crying and blaming myself!  I have 3 grandchildren and one on the way and he has scratched 2 guests already  :/

And thanks for all the tips ShadowsRescue.  I really appreciate it.  I didn't get the spray, I opted for in the water calming stuff. I'm tempted to try it and try and find the plugs, and do the meat trick and playing with them.  I need my guys on board with this.  One is safety-oriented and afraid to death the cats will get me when he is not here!  (He is 18 and really loyal and dilligent)  and my other son does not want to part with his favorite cat Twinkie, it is quite a thing to be a single parent household with 2 sons and 3 very different personalities.  It can be almost impossible to have calm and quiet and we haven't done enough work with mixing them in the same room. 

I do have a lot to think about.  Will keep you posted.  Right now we can't even afford to send more than one away... a friend recommended Kijiji, I think the girl cat set the guys off in the first place so maybe finding her another home would be the best place to start. 
 
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huntersmommy

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The girl is not fixed as I couldn't afford it.  The boys are both neutered. 

Princess (the female) is smelling like pee on her back fir.  She has garbage-y smelling breath.  She vomits.  She never seemed to learn to chew her food, swallowing lots of kibble whole or big chunks of the wet food. 

Hunter has had weird bed-padding-down behavior too, near his brother, sometimes on top of him.  Still not sure if this drives Twinkie off,  I'm thinking it does not though.  Looks kind of creepy and almost like a sexual advance.

Twinkie and Princess are the scared type of cats and Hunter used to be mellow and mild, not a real biter, and even kept his claws in if he patted you.  So gentle. 
 

catpack

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I suspect your female going into heat cycles is setting your boys off and contributing (or is potentially the cause) of your problems.

How long have these issues been going on?
- The fighting
- Hunter attacking
- Princess's medical problems

It certainly sounds like Princess needs to be seen by a vet, and soon! If you cannot afford this, and cannot find a local humane society or low cost clinic in your area to help, then, yes, best to surrender her than to allow her health problems to go unchecked.

One cat having health problems, or feel ill, can certainly lead to the others bullying her, especially on top of her not being fixed.
 
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huntersmommy

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Yes come to think of it the pee smell, and some peeing outside the box, might have all started while the fighting did too.  And everyone shamed her so that didn't help much.
 
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