About 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 *
Question My sister recently moved back home and brought her two cats with her. One of them a female named Ruby is about 8 months and keeps attacking my cat Ally who is 6 months. I sometimes think they could be playing but Ally hisses at Riby and gets backed into a corner and I have noticed Ruby uses her claws when she tries to 'go for' Ally. It seems like she keeps bullying her. Is there anything I can do to help them get on?
Answer Abby,
I would keep a rolled up newspaper handy and swat Ruby, saying "No, No fighting". Let her know that that kind of behavior won't be tolerated. Then wait a few minutes and love on her. You want Ruby to be afraid of the newspaper, but NOT you.
Here is a good article about bully cats:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)
You've got to go through an introduction period slowly. It can take 2 weeks, 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)
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.
AND Keep the cat's claws trimmed! Here is a website that shows with photos how to trim a cat's claws:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into the address bar)
