Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Tabbi getting along

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/24/2009


Question
hi. there are two cats in my home. mine n my roomie's. my roomie moved into my apartment. so my cat (female) was here first. but her cat (male) has domenated her so much. she got so upset last week she poo'd n peed in my laundry basket. more than just twice (i cld tell) it was like she was so scared she cldn't get to the litter box. her cat always chases my cat into my bedroom under the bed. every sigle day. never lets her out. n if she does sneak down into the living room  he immediately chases her back into the room. he won't let her hang out for a lil or in the same room. we have put a second litter box in our place. but he still chases her. is there anything that we can do to make them be friends or just get a long n he stops chasing her? i mean they still fight. it's been eight months. please help.

Answer

Cat separater
Chels,

Some cats, like people, will never get along. The best thing to do is to keep one in the bedroom with the door closed and let the other one out. Then reverse it. That way your cat can settle down and feel safe being let out of the room. It may be inconvenient but sometimes that is the only way.

You can try to feed  the cats yummy cat treats periodically (like tuna, tinned sardines in oil, etc.) TOGETHER. That is so the cats will associate each other with something pleasant. Also getting a pet laser light (at PetSmart, Petco, etc.) is great for interaction between the cats. They can chase the 'little red bug' on the floor, ceilings, and walls, and they tend to forget about each other as they focus on the 'bug' which helps them get used to each other.

There is a calming product that you can add to the cat's food or water that reduces anxiety called Bach's Rescue Remedy. It is available on-line and in health food stores. Here is a link about it: http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm

I use a big dog crate for a new 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 the other cat being around, and the 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. Or keep one in and let the other out. I got mine at Petco. I am attaching a picture of it.

I hope this helps.

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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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.

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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).

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