Expert: Jessica - 1/11/2010

Question
Jessica,  I have a 1 year old cat, Roxie that came to our house as a small kitten.  She meets all the characteristics of a feral cat.  Last September, a small kitten showed up, Bella.  Roxie hates Bella.  She is very aggressive towards her. We keep them pretty much separated, Bella staying in my daughters bedroom if Roxie is in the house and roaming the whole house when Roxie is outside, which is during the day when we're gone.  Roxie has been in my daughters bedroom also, so she gets plenty of Bella's scent, I have let them look at each other thru a cracked door, have tried to feed them together (at this point Bella is so scared she won't eat near Roxie), basically have tried everything you're suppose to do to introduce them, but Roxie still goes after Bella if they're both loose and I'm afraid to just let them go at it. I have found a website, Spirit Essenses, selling holistic remedies for cats.  They have specific ones for specific problems.  Do you have an opinion on something like this?  Can they be harmful to the cat? Thank you.

Answer
Hi Lori.  I'm not sure if you have read any of my other answers, but if you do, you may notice I actually recommend Spirit Essences quite often!  I have used some of the formulas myself, after chatting with Dr. Jean, one of the creators, on an online forum several years ago.  She really knows her stuff, she has received many honors and has been widely published.  She is a very well-respected holistic veterinarian.  While I can say that some flower essences and especially essential oils CAN BE HARMFUL to cats if you aren't careful where you get them from, I have 100% faith in these products because of where they come from.  

I used Bully Remedy on one of my cats, and I think this might help with Roxie.  Peacemaker may also be a good idea, and Bella might benefit from Self-Esteem.  They actually combine these three remedies into one package, the Ultimate Peacemaker, if interested.  I tried giving my cats essences by mouth, but they don't taste so great, so I would recommend dabbing the essences on their heads, personally.  

I also like a different product called Feliway.  This is a synthetic facial pheromone which helps to reduce territorial aggression and anxiety.  I use the plug-in diffusers at all times in my own home.  You can learn more at www.feliway.com.  The products are available online and at pet stores (least expensive I have found is amazon.com).  Another company, Sentry HC, makes pheromone collars, called Good Behavior collars (be sure to get the cat version), which may be important to use as well since your kitties go outside.

And just to double-check, if Roxie isn't spayed yet, be sure to have that done right away.  Males get all the credit for being aggressive when they aren't neutered, but I can tell you for certain, females can be just as bad!  Spaying gets rid of all the hormonal surges that create such aggression.

Best wishes to you all!

Jessica