cats don't get along

pegalena

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 1, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
4
Location
California
I recently took in 2 cats that were homeless. The 2 had come from the same place but never got along. I had 3 cats already. The new ones have been in my house for almost 2 months but they still don't get along. The new one usually stay apart. One at one end of the house and the other at the other end. But when my other 3 get near them they will growl, hiss and I've seen/heard them attack. HELP what do I do? I have read the posts about what to do when introducing new cats to the other family members but this is after the fact. Do I go back to square one and separate the news ones into separate rooms and keep them all away from the cats I already had? If I do that what do I do if one scratches on the door to get out?

I will go back to the beginning of this story. The beginning of October I learned that 1 of my kitties had cancer. He was only 14, had a wife and 2 adopted kids. We went through a couple of different treatments but nothing worked. He passed away on November 29th. One week before he died I found out that another cat who was 19 had what I was told a bladder infection. We put him on meds and I thought he was going to get better, but he didn't. Instead he went down hill and on the day he passed away on Dec 21st I found out that he, too, had cancer. At the end of that week I found out about these other 2 kitties that had become homeless. Their person had been evicted from his home and unable to take them with him so he left them there. He did come by to check on them a few times and put out food. It was getting really cold here about that time and rainy. I did not want any new cats. I had just lost 2 and they were a close knit family. but I couldn't see leaving those other cats in that situation so with the help of a friend I went to their area and caught them and brought them home. A week later I went on a weekend trip out of town leaving them in the care of a friend who pet/house sits for me. Because I did that I thought that I should bring the cats into contact with each other earlier than I probably should have. So now I am still having problems with them all getting on. I don't care if they are not the best of friends. I just don't want them physically attacking each other. I need HELP! 

I have posted a part of this story in other places and I'm not trying to duplicate this and post continually. I just found this forum and thought it might be good to put the whole story out there and hopefully someone would see it and understand my question. I really appreciate those that have already suggested reading material. That was really thoughtful. I did read all suggestions but my main question is do I start from scratch separating everyone and working with scent and sight getting them used to each other from the beginning as if they had never met. Or where do I start from here? any help is very appreciated. Oh one thing I forgot to mention earlier is that they are older cats. My original 3 are 8, 9 and 11. The new ones we estimated with the help of our vet to be 4 and 8. So I'm not dealing with kittens but older cats that had been left outside to fend for themselves. 

Thank you.
 

moorspede

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Messages
1,648
Purraise
261
Hi Pegalena, I'm sorry you lost your beautiful kitties. I have also lost pets, it's devastating, my heart goes out to you.

You need to separate your current cats if they are attacking each other violently. People often seem unsure if their newly introduced cats are playing, posturing, or fighting. The difference between posturing ie I'm top cat and I'm going to prove it by wrestling you or knocking you over, show me your belly type of thing vs claws out, biting, two uncontrollable balls of fury going at it.

With regard to the swapping scents, that ship has sailed but you could try feeding them on either side of a baby gate or door. The idea is to start with the bowls several feet away and gradually move them closer. The idea behind it is that both cats will start associating the good thing happening, being fed, with the other cat. Jackson Galaxy has a couple of vids on youtube. Just search his name and "introducing cats" and you will see the process in detail.

Once they become ok with this, you move on supervised play sessions with them with an interactive toy and some treats.This sessions will be short and gradually get longer. It's a matter of watching them to see if they have had enough. You don't want them to be fighting each other, this may undo the good work you've put in. 

When they are playing well with each other you use positive reinforcement with treats and pats when they are not there are several things you could try. For me, saying "No' when one looked like it was about to pounce. Some people throw something soft, shake a money jar or clap their hands. If things are starting to get intense, separating them for a few minutes often resets them or calms them down. Cats' short term memories are pretty short. 

I haven't mentioned building each cat's confidence within the space. They both need to feel at home, this may mean putting cat tree or shelves up so that they can be up high and also having places on the ground where they feel secure. Play, affection and treats can also help here. 

I'm sorry I forgot the part about scratching the door to get out. A baby gate may be the answer or propping the door open a crack but please make absolutely sure that the cats are unable to get through it to each other. Feliway calmed my cats through their introductions. If one starts feeling confined you could swap them over for awhile. 
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

pegalena

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 1, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
4
Location
California
I wanted to say thank you for your input. I'll definitely give your suggestions a try and let you know how it all works out.
 

moorspede

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Messages
1,648
Purraise
261
Please do keep in touch, there are some extremely knowledgeable people in this forum who will be able to assist you you and your kitties. Take care. 
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

pegalena

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 1, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
4
Location
California
I have 1 cat in my office now and she is doing better some what. She is beginning to play with me more each day and she comes out from behind my monitors to greet me when I come in in the morning. But she still growls at anyone in fur if she can see them. 

I put 1 cat in my bedroom last night and closed the door. Every time I go in there he wants out. He did sleep with me at least part of the night. I have some hopes that maybe he will bond with me a bit more by being in there with me. That room has lots of the other cats smells though so I'm wondering if that might be one reason he doesn't want to stay there. Although he has been out roaming the house where the others were. I'm kind of worried he will end up crying all day while I am not in there. I'm thinking of switching places with the two. Seeing if that might help me bond better with him if we can be together while I work. Any one have any thoughts on that?

I did put all the food next to the doors so that they can hear each other when they eat, I think. I'm hoping that will help. But I'm thinking I need to get them so they can see each other yet know that they are safe at the same time. Will cats not jump over those gates? I had a dog for awhile and when I brought him inside I would lay chairs in the doorway to the living room to keep him in the kitchen but the cats would jump over them.

Thank you all for your help.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

pegalena

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Feb 1, 2017
Messages
11
Purraise
4
Location
California
Here's an update on my cats. Basically separating the new ones after allowing them freedom of the house did not work. Greyisha was ok because she has pretty much stayed in the office anyway. That was her haven. That and the bathroom cupboard. But  Cinnamon was put in my bedroom and every time I went in or out he would try to get out. He slept with me part of the night but for the most part slept under the bed. He also stopped eating. This morning when I left the bedroom he ran out. I decided to let him go. So I'm back to square one. I still have to close my office door while I work if Greyisha is in there because she will growl and hiss at anyone that comes in and I can't have that while I'm working. I gave Cinnamon a special treat this morning since it looked like he hadn't eaten in 2 days. So any other suggestions besides separation. I am going to get a cat tree as soon as I can afford one and I do have feliway throughout the house. I'm thinking of forcing Greyisha out of the office to see if she will adapt better that way. But am I just putting them all in harms way if I do that. I have also put all 5 food dishes closer together. I'm so worried about my original 3. I'm still looking for homes for the 2 new ones thinking they will be happier in a place of their own. But so far no luck and I refuse to take them to the animal shelter as the one here is a high kill and being older would likely be put down and to me that is not an answer. Help please and thank you.
 

moorspede

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Messages
1,648
Purraise
261
I'm sorry separating didn't work for Cinnamon and that confining him traumatised him. I'm not sure about the layout of your place, would getting baby gates help? They could be fed on either side of the baby gate, gradually moving the bowls closer together. I agree, having them swap rooms at different times of the day would be a good plan. 
 
Last edited:
Top