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Expert: - 8/9/2007


Question
Hi,
I just purchased a kitten for my five year old cat mandy so she could have a friend as our seven year old cat passed away. I waited for seven months before getting the new kitten which is the same breed as mandy. "Callie" was ten weeks old when we introduced her to Mandy. It was not love at first sight. Mandy is the center of attention at our house and we were very careful to still give her tons of attention. It has been two months now and I will admit our little calico pounces on Mandy and hides and ambushes her. I spoke to our vet and she said Picture mandy as Barbara Bush at a tea party and callie is juevie Hall/Biker babe material. Callie is 16 weeks old and I have started to squirt her with a squirt gun when I can see that she is going to ambush mandy. Mandy in all of her five years has probabley only hissed maybe three times and now she hisses daily. and growls. she does not whack callie back even when callie performs her kung foo kick boxing techniqes on poor mandy. Mandy will hiss and hiss and growl and raise her paw to callie but ever so lady like just retreats somewhere. what can I do? we love love love our mandy and now I feel like I did her a diservice by getting her a friend. we are too attached to our little calico to not keep her. any advice? will this get better with time? I look forward to hearing from you.
                                 Linda

Answer
Hi Linda,

Sometimes it takes a lot of time for the cats to adjust to each other. I would stop the squirt bottle. It's not really working. Get a product called Feliway,(the whole house atomizer). It acts as a kitty tranquilizer and will calm them down. Take a towel or rag and wipe the two of them with the same towel. Make sure you get the scent gland areas. You want to transfer each ones scent to the other. Switch their bedding. You want to have them have a common scent. Use something of yours. This may sound a little gross but work up a sweat in something of yours and wipe both of them with it. These things and time should work. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

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Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

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I have an A.A.S.

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