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Cats/2 female cats and many months, still won't get along
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Question
Hello!
I'm looking for advice on getting two female cats to at least tolerate each other. A few months ago I moved, with my 7-8 year old dominant female cat, into a living situation with a younger female cat of 1-2 years of age. Both cats grew up socially, mine with two males and the other with an older female cat. My cat has been re-introduced to one of her original male companions twice in he lifetime, and although the process took a few weeks, they were fine.
My cat has been primarily living in my room for months now, and needs to be integrated soon. We started off by introducing them through the door, with food, opening it a crack for them to see each other, etc. They've switched spaces. At the current time we've been using a screen door on the outside of my room and feeding them to promote positive interactions.
Unfortunately, they've escaped multiple times, always involving screaming and fighting. The most recent of which ended up with them accidentally locked in a dark room, and the younger cat with a bloody nose.
The older cat is vying for dominance, putting up a huge fuss, hissing and yowling whenever the younger comes near the screen door. The younger cat is obviously shaken, and will cower and hide and spend as much time away from the older as possible. I'm currently offering food (tuna), and slowly moving it closer and closer, hoping they'll spend some time together and calm down a bit. So far it hasn't happened.
I asked my new vet near the beginning of this mess, and all she said was "it will take time". Unfortunately, I'm almost out.
Please let me know if you have any advice concerning this last step of finally getting the cats together. Should we just let them out and have at it? My roommate and I are both at our wit's end.
Ashling,
Issues with cat introductions are very common, I have answered questions like this countless times. Please see my previous answers on the subject. If after reading a few of my previous answers you need to ask questions or have points clarified I would be happy to do so.
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Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
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