Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/23/2009

Question
We have 1 female and 3 males cats, all fixed, in our home.  We recently trapped and neutered a stray male, 2 years old, and he now comes in and out of our house and hangs out in the yard.  Our cats are fighting him and still very distressed when he comes around, even though the new cat was neutered almost 2 months ago. Is this odd behavior for the resident cats, to not be accepting the new one by now?  Can we expect this fighting to stop at some point? Thank you.

Answer
Debbie,

The stray cat is still an interloper to your cats and they are defending their territory from him. Unfortunately, just because he is at your home doesn't automatically guarantee that the cats will get along. Sometimes the best you can hope for is some sort of acceptance, but it doesn't always happen.

Also, it takes more time for some male cats than others for the testosterone to leave their bodies and he may still have the 'smell' of a tomcat which would cause your cats to get aggressive towards him.

Try feeding the cats a special treat all together. Something like tuna, tinned sardines in oil, etc. That is so your cats will associate the stray with something pleasant and not negative. get a pet laser light and use it outside at night where it can easily be seen. All the cats should chase it, including the stray, and it helps your cats get used to him by playing interactively. If you can hold the stray or have him sit next to you, then try petting him on one side of you and any of your cats on the otherside. that way your cats will see him as friend and not foe.

It will take time, but they should come to accept him as a member of the household even if they don't like him act less aggressive towards him. It can take months...but hopefully it won't.