You are here:
Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Cats behaviour
Advertisement
Question
Hi my parents bought a male ragdoll cat who is 6 months old now and an indoor cat when I wasn't living at home. I have recently moved back home to my parents house bringing my cat with me which is female and she goes outside. She is about 2yrs old. We have been trying to get them to be friends but still after 1 month they still don't get on at all. My cat (female) always hisses at him and will not let him anywhere near her. At the begining the male ragdoll cat just wanted to play by rolling onto his back, but now he has started to run after her, attack her back and howls alot. And also now he is going to the toilet around the house i.e top floor where female cat spends most of her time there and also on my bed, not using his litter tray all the time which he never did before.
How can we make them be ok around each other and also stop him from messing around the house?
Claire,
)
You don't mention the important issue....are they both fixed? That makes a big difference on the behavior.
Some cat will not get along period. It is rare but it happens.
You've got to go through an introduction period slowly. It can take a month or more for them to start getting along. You can not just put them together and expect them to get along. That very rarely ever happens.
I am attaching a couple of links on how to go about the introduction process: (copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)
http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintro...
I use a big dog crate for a new (to the resident) cat. It has room for litterbox, food and water, small cat carrier without the door for a bed and to get up on, and they still have room. That way they can get used to another cat around, and other cat can sniff and check them out safely. You can gradually let the cat out for short periods of time as they start getting used to each other. I got mine at Petco. I am attaching a picture of it.
Once they can be together without fighting feed both cats yummy cat treats (like tuna or pieces of raw steak) TOGETHER. That is so the cats will associate each other with something pleasant.
Also getting a pet laser light (at PetSmart, etc.) is great for interaction between the two cats. They both can chase the 'little red bug' on the floor, ceilings, and walls, and they tend to forget about the other cat as they focus on the 'bug' which helps them get used to each other.
It just takes time and lots of patience. It should work out if you take it slow and don't force them together until they are ready. Spaying and neutering makes a lot of difference too.
Tabbi
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
***********
Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.