mi finace is moving in with me and my cat. her cat is de-clawed (i am against this practice) but the cats are not getting along real well. Its only been a couple of days, but is there anything I can do to help them get a long any better.
2006-08-22 04:06:55 · 19 answers · asked by gdndtx 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Give it time...
2006-08-22 04:12:40 · answer #1 · answered by Groo The Wanderer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the cats are a lil freaked out right now to say the least. 1st off her cat has been moved from it's home. Thats shockling enough for it. Then to be moved in with you and another cat besides the new home. Your cat has all these new things in it's home and a new person and cat too. It was that cat's territory. It will take time and lots of it. They may or may not end up friends in the end but they will learn to tolerate the others exsistance. If your cat ends up hurting the other one with its claws you might want to look into an alternative for declawing. I'm adding a link to this and it's an example of the covers that go over kitty's claws. I'm sure there are many more websites and vets do them too. Good luck.
http://www.softpaws.com/
2006-08-22 11:21:52 · answer #2 · answered by jescl32 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not believe de-clawing just the front claws is inhumane but u MUST then keep the cat inside.
If u are introducing a new animal, try keeping it in a cage for a few days at first. The home animal will get to look at it and sniff it etc.
Then start letting the new animal out a little bit at a time, gradually making it more time.
After about four or five days they should know each other well enough. But the fact that one has claws and the other does not could be a problem.
I have two cats and both have rear claws but no front claws so they are equal and they don't get hurt they just play around.
2006-08-22 11:13:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
To start with you need to introduce them slowly. Try putting one cat in a bedroom for a few hours and then have them switch places...this will give them a chance to get used to each other's smells. You can do this over a period of several days and feed the cats close to the door so that they can smell each other eating on the opposite side of door...this gets them closer to each other.
They are each going to need room to get away from each other if they are fighting, you won't want to lock them in a room together, especially if you aren't going to be home. Make sure when they are both in the same room, that you give them equal attention.
It sounds like they are adult cats. This just means that it is going to take a lot longer for them to adjust to each other. I'm glad to hear that you are against declawing...it is a very painful operation for cats and I wouldn't suggest declawing your cat. Your fiances cat will still be able to defend herself if your cat tries anything.
If after a month or two (yes, it could take this long) they still aren't getting along, take them to the vet and ask the vet to put them on valium or female hormones. The vet may even suggest a different kind of medication than either of these.
Good luck, and just remember to give them some time to adjust. Don't give up.
2006-08-26 00:15:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to give them time to get used to each other. There will be hissing and clawing but that is normal. It took my cat a couple months to get used to our new kitten. My little girl was so upset that she started to pee in the dining room. Finally, she got used to the new guy and plays with him all the time. Each cat will respond differently. We kept them apart while we weren't home and slowly let them spend more time together. If problems come up then you can always ask your vet.
2006-08-22 11:45:35 · answer #5 · answered by Jasmine 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't like the idea of declaring a cat either. Sort of like cutting our fingers off at the first knuckle.
Cat don't get along for two or three weeks, sometimes longer, then they become best friends. Give it time. Cats have to learn who is dominate, and get use to each other.
It will be fine!
2006-08-22 11:15:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They need to work out which cat is dominant, nothing you can do but let them figure it out. Try to make sure they both get lots of lovin', equal amounts of treats (dont favour one over the other) and they each have a place they can hide out from the other. It usually takes a week or two for cats to realise that they are now living together for good and to work things out.
2006-08-22 11:13:50 · answer #7 · answered by Juniper C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've introduced a new cat to an older cat many times and there is always an acclimation period. Eventually, the cats have never failed to get along. It may take a few weeks, though.
2006-08-22 11:14:35 · answer #8 · answered by pvreditor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I saved a cat that was the same age as my current cat. When I moved them in together it was a constant fight. That is there nature....dominance. Best thing I did was sit them both down with two separate small bowls placed next to each other with their favorite treat (tuna juice). They are now buddies. They still fight occasionally but it's more for play.
2006-08-22 11:16:34 · answer #9 · answered by voandginger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to give them time. There will be lots of hissing probably as they fight over who will be the dominant cat and one of them will eventually submit. I have been through it a number of times with roommates and they get over it in a week or two. Its annoying until the hissing stops but a few scratches on the nose and its all over.
2006-08-22 20:49:00 · answer #10 · answered by mel_p_202 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully they are not both males. If so you will probably have continual problems. Especially with the spraying. That is the most horrible odor ever. I had a friend with two male cats and one definately had to go.
If they are not both males I would say give them time and their own space. I believe they will learn to coincide.
2006-08-22 11:16:00 · answer #11 · answered by sweetestinok26 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋