When one cat is more dominating than the other is this healthy or bad?

razz

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Okay, so despite my introductory post we've found out at the vet that Persy is a neutered boy cat.

The vet also said it's okay to let the cats both wander the house without being confined to one room as long as they don't hurt each other.

But, here's the thing....

Persy is very playful and energetic and constantly trying to get to Schrodie, but Schrodie is very mild mannered and gentle and ends up just hiding.
I want them to adjust, but I'm really worried that this method won't work because it'll just stress Schrodie out badly.
It seems really one-sided is the thing.

And I have trouble with the room separation because when I'm alone in the house they both end up needy at the same time and both demand my attention.
 
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mani

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It really is best to err on the side of caution and do the whole introduction thing. It may go really well and you won't need to do it for long, but you're quite right.. just putting them together can be stressful. 

Here's the step-by-step process.

Others may have more to suggest, but in the meantime, please do let us know how you're getting on. :-)
 
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razz

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Thanks, I'll keep them separated again, and try the blanket thing.
So I just let Schrodie have the blanket for a day, doing fun things on it, and then hand it to Persy and do the same?
That sounds more effective than the sock thing I was trying, so yays!
Do you know how long something like this usually takes?
 

mani

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Thanks, I'll keep them separated again, and try the blanket thing.
So I just let Schrodie have the blanket for a day, doing fun things on it, and then hand it to Persy and do the same?
That sounds more effective than the sock thing I was trying, so yays!
Do you know how long something like this usually takes?
It's one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions...


They're all different.
 

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Thanks, I'll keep them separated again, and try the blanket thing.

So I just let Schrodie have the blanket for a day, doing fun things on it, and then hand it to Persy and do the same?

That sounds more effective than the sock thing I was trying, so yays!

Do you know how long something like this usually takes?
Hello and welcome. I have two big cats, princess and romeo and had a kitten last year who was 9 weeks old ( he is now 6 months ) we done everything they say you should do and then we let him run around with the other two. Princess was ok but romeo was a different matter he did not like it ( think it was cuz he was no longer the baby now ) but we just kept our eye in them and let him see rebel running around. Romeo has only just gone back to normal afer all these months. Keep the kitten away at night time i keep rebel in mine and husbands room and the other two in the living room ( as this is there rotine anyhow ) and its hard having a kitten sleeping with us ie the foot biting waking us up early but i am not ready to let him be with the other two at night quite yet. Just let them out and just keep your eye on them. The big one will not like it at first but they will soon be friends. Good luck and let us know how you get on. :wavey:
 
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razz

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Strange update....
While we're still training Persy with the idea that he's our pet and we want him to get along with Schrodie, I started to suspect that he might be someone else's pet who got lost since he's friendly and was already neutered.

So with a heavy heart I've submitted him as found in a lost in found network for our state just to make sure nobody is looking for him.
I'm mostly optimistic on the situation as a whole.
I want him to be happy, so I think I'd be happy if he was reunited with a beloved owner or stayed with me.
If he does end up with someone else I'd still like to have a second cat sometime in the future, though we'd have to wait till spring when we'll have more money.
 

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That's very wise.
 
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razz

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We're still trying to train Persy with the idea that we'll probably end up keeping him, but I'm a bit worried if he'll ever calm down around Schrodie enough to be in the same room with him.
Some times one will slip by into the other's room and Persy immediately gets aggressive with Schrodie.
I always give Persy a time out after he's done something overly aggressive to Schrodie when they run into each other, but from what I've gathered isolating him like that won't work because as far as he's concerned he doesn't know why he's being punished.
At this point Schrodie seems to just reset everyday and forget that Persy picked on him the day before, so it's looking like Schrodie is trying to adjust to Persy, but Persy is just a little bit too aggressive right now.
Should I just continue to keep them separated and give Persy that towel with Schrodie's scent?
I had Schrodie roll around on a towel covered in catnip!
 

mani

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The whole introduction thing really doesn't work if they 'run into each other'.  It's a kind of system.. you just follow the steps and when things are ok at that point, you move onto the next.

So, yes, see if you can keep them separated and do the towel thing.
 
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razz

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The whole introduction thing really doesn't work if they 'run into each other'.  It's a kind of system.. you just follow the steps and when things are ok at that point, you move onto the next.

So, yes, see if you can keep them separated and do the towel thing.
Okay, so work harder to keep them separated, and keep at it with the towel.
I'm not sure how to get Persy interested in the towel however....
Schrodie loves it when I add catnip, but Persy doesn't seem as interested in da nip, so I'll have to get creative.
 
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razz

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Kinda sorta update, questions, and just rambling.

I'm worried that my family (both visiting and actually living with me) is getting impatient with me keeping the cats separated, and are either saying to just let them work it out as cats or are losing hope that they'll ever get along.

I'm keeping them separated between a door still, and exchanging a towel between the two, and I'd like to think I'm doing well with that, but what's a good way to be able to tell that they're truly ready to bear each other's presence?

I open the door a crack and let them look at each other more clearly sometimes, and Schrodie is very calm and sweet, and Persy kinda paws at the door a bit.
I can't tell if he's pawing because he wants freedom or if he's pawing at Schrodie!

The foolish times I allowed them to interact Persy would concentrate on Schrodie, staring him down and tackling him, I think even attempting to bite at him before Schrodie would hiss, scratch at him, and run off and Persy gives chase.
 

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Hi, everyone does intros differently but this is the link that I've been using. 

http://www.wvcats.com/integrating_cats.htm

I just wanted something really detailed.  You know that the cats are ready to move onto the next step when they no longer hiss or growl.  For example, if both cats seem fine with the towel with both scents around them, you can move onto letting them see each other through a crack in the door.  
 
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razz

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Hi, everyone does intros differently but this is the link that I've been using. 

http://www.wvcats.com/integrating_cats.htm

I just wanted something really detailed.  You know that the cats are ready to move onto the next step when they no longer hiss or growl.  For example, if both cats seem fine with the towel with both scents around them, you can move onto letting them see each other through a crack in the door.  
That's the thing, they seem fine with each other's scents and they don't hiss or growl until Persy's already attacking, so it's hard to tell if things are getting better or not.
 
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razz

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That's the thing, they don't hiss or growl unless Persy is already chasing or tackling Schrodie.
They don't mind each other's scent or seeing each other through a cracked door, but I can tell Schrodie is uncomfortable when Persy gets too rough when they get a chance with each other.

*edit:  Woops, kinda double post of sorts...
 
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ruaryx

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Hm, I would still go through all the steps.  It'll help you figure out where that line is that crosses into discomfort.  All it means is that you'll get through the first couple of steps really quickly.  :]  
 
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razz

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Hm, I would still go through all the steps.  It'll help you figure out where that line is that crosses into discomfort.  All it means is that you'll get through the first couple of steps really quickly.  :]  
I'm pretty sure it's all Persy, but he's not growling or hissing or making any aggressive sounds at all.
I think he's either trying to play rough or intimidate Schrodie....I mean, he stares at him which I hear is a sign of intimidation, but he doesn't seem mad or upset at Schrodie at all in that he's not puffing up, hissing, growling, or anything like that.
If he's trying to play then it's because he's still kinda a kitten, just a big one, and if it's intimidation I think he's usually trying to show Schrodie that he claimed a spot as his own and is defending his new territory.

UPDATE:

According to Pet Smart if his ears aren't back then he's not mad...if that's the case, Persy is NOT mad.
But, then why is he tackling and trying to bite Schrodie?
It's definitely more rough than playing, but he's not mad or upset at all.
He's just...fixated.
 
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razz

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UPDATE AGAIN:

Through the use of baby doors I have finally heard Persy growl and hiss at Schrodie, specifically when Schrodie was playing with a catnip mouse that Persy wanted.

So this leads me to believe that he isn't just playing rough but just plain being aggressive, so now without any doubts I'ma have to keep them isolated and continue to try to get them used to each other through the towel method.
 
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razz

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ANOTHER UPDATE:

Following the article on this site about introducing two cats together I tried the part where after a week or so of the blanket stuff I opened the door a crack to see how they'd respond to each other.

They don't hiss, they don't growl, they don't puff up or anything...this made me think there is hope!

So I thought perhaps they can meet each other, and here's what still happens...

Percy the new cat tackles Schrodie the resident cat and they seem to play fight, but very quickly Schrodie gets tired of it, making a sad sounding mew and eventually hiss.
Sometimes Percy runs off for a moment but then he runs right back and continues where he left off.
Percy never growls or hisses while doing any of this, so I'm still assuming this is play fighting.

So yup, back to isolating Percy.

I suspect he's doing this because of pent up frustration and energy from being isolated, but since Schrodie is the resident cat I'd assume he'd feel like he's being punished if I put him up too frequently.

Since Percy seems to be playing (just happens to be with a loooot of energy) I'm wondering if while he's isolated I can train him not to be so rough.
When I make a shush sound he stops biting or scratching me, but this doesn't work when his target is Schrodie.
 
 
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di and bob

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Is Percy younger? If so kittens always have a lot more energy then adults, that's why I always try to get them in 'pairs' they leave the resident cat alone. Make sure Shrodie has a high up place to escape to, my Chrissy had a bed on top of the fridge. Throw a toy that has been in a bag with catnip when Percy seems ready to attack, those kickaroos work well for cats to wrestle with. Percy does need a 5 minute time out if he plays rough, or to be ignored for a while. The only other thing I can think of is to find a toy that he will play with more then your other cat. (who I feel sorry for) You just need more time for everything to settle down, my cats took a year before they finally left each other alone. All the luck!
 
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razz

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Is Percy younger? If so kittens always have a lot more energy then adults, that's why I always try to get them in 'pairs' they leave the resident cat alone. Make sure Shrodie has a high up place to escape to, my Chrissy had a bed on top of the fridge. Throw a toy that has been in a bag with catnip when Percy seems ready to attack, those kickaroos work well for cats to wrestle with. Percy does need a 5 minute time out if he plays rough, or to be ignored for a while. The only other thing I can think of is to find a toy that he will play with more then your other cat. (who I feel sorry for) You just need more time for everything to settle down, my cats took a year before they finally left each other alone. All the luck!
Yup, Percy is only 9 months or so and Schrodie is about 2 and a half...or so.
Maybe I don't have efficient toys to distract Percy enough...
Even his favorite toy doesn't distract him from wanting to tackle Schrodie!
You said kickaroos, are those specific toys for kittens or something?
I'm also thinking I'm not visiting with him enough when he's in his room, and when I do visit I don't do anything to help with his energy...
There's not a lot of room to play in there though, so perhaps I should let him out when Schrodie is relaxing in either my room or my sister's so that I can continue to keep them separated for now.
 
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