Help! New cat aggression towards 3 existing

epez33

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Good morning all! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, I am desperate for some help for a new addition, please!
Brief history...about four years ago we adopted three littermate two males one female, all neutered. about 2 1/2 weeks ago we took in a 13 month spayed female, Zoe, that was displaced from her home she had been with two other males same age. Two males have been rehomed she has come by herself.
Zoe was introduced very slowly. Put in a room by herself through closed door...we did all of the suggested things such as sent transfer, closed-door introductions, gated introductions, over almost a two week period.
Zoe is extremely affectionate towards people, very playful and loving. However she is showing extreme aggression towards the three existing cats.
There have been no fights, but what she does is stalk them and hiss at them. The three existing are obviously all mild temperament and go running away and hiding. My three existing cats are extremely sociable, friendly and loving. But have taen to hiding all the time.
I have spoken to Zoe's previous owner, my son, he said that Zoe was "in charge" at her old house and did have times of fighting with one of the males.
I really do not want to have to relocate the sweet loving cat again! however my three existing kitties are living in fear and this is not fair to them. My husband has just about had enough, he's worried about the existing babies as well! I need a harmonious home. I am wondering if Zoe would be best in a single cat household. I am desperate for solutions..
Thank you so much and advance for taking the time to read this and for any help solutions! Thank you
 

fhicat

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I really do not want to have to relocate the sweet loving cat again! however my three existing kitties are living in fear and this is not fair to them.
This is true, sometimes the best course of action in drastic situations like this is to rehome them for the safety and happiness of all the cats. However,

Zoe was introduced very slowly. Put in a room by herself through closed door...we did all of the suggested things such as sent transfer, closed-door introductions, gated introductions, over almost a two week period.
Two weeks is actually not long at all. Anything less than several MONTHS is not long at all. Sure, many cats do get acclimated after two weeks, but it should not be expected. We have members here who spend two YEARS introducing their cats.

Introductions are the most crucial part of making this relationship work. Since you didn't provide much information about how you introduced them, I'm offering some links that may have additional ideas you could try:

[article="22348"][/article]

[article="32680"][/article]
[article="29726"][/article]

Here is one particular thread from a member who spent a few months trying to make it work, but ultimately had to rehome one of them -- very inspiring read:

[thread="276916"][/thread]
 
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talkingpeanut

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I agree that you may have rushed this a bit! Try putting them back in separate areas, no contact at all. Start doing scent swapping again and do the feedings on opposite sides of a door, then covered gate, then open gate. You only progress to the next step when no one displays any aggression.

Good luck! Not at all a lost cause.
 
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