My husband and I just moved in with my parents while we are saving to build a house of our own. My mom has a cat who is extremely skittish. She hides all day under my mom's bed and, if it gets quiet enough, she'll come out only for my mom. If anyone else walks in the room, she runs and hides again! My cat will find her up under the bed and whereas he just wants to play and make friends, my mom's cat will hiss and provoke a fight with him. So they'll be fighting under my mom's bed. Our room is in the basement, where our cat mostly hangs out. However, my mom's cats' litter box and food are also in the basement. She's too scared to come downstairs so she's been going to the bathroom on my mom's carpet. My mom's OK with having her food/water bowls in her room with a towel up under them to protect the carpet, but there really isn't another appropriate place to put her litter box. So, we've come to the conclusion they are just going to have to learn to get along - any ideas???
2006-12-01 11:55:00 · 10 answers · asked by BEEN THERE 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Yeah, LOL, you think your cat is being curious and trying to be friends, but what is he really saying in cat language to your Mom's cat? ROFL
Look, we resuce strays, foster cats waiting for other homes, and socialize ferals. There isn't much of a cat problem we haven't seen here. I'll tell you this story because it sounds a bit like what you are going through now.
Right around the end of October, we got our latest foster. My cats are so used to new cats coming in, that they don't even blink an eye anymore. They seem to understand when I tell them that this one is here, just for a little while. Anyway, this cat is a love. He is great with people, kids, even the grand dog and rabbit, but he doesn't like other cats. The first two weeks, it sounded pretty terrible. My cats going to him to try to get acquainted and him howling like he was involved in a street fight, even though noone was touching him.
It has gotten better. He has come out of the shelving in the basement and now will lay in the living room with the other cats without complaining about it, unless one of mine get too close. We have been doing this for about 40 years, and have pretty much learned that they have to sort it out for themselves. Human interference only makes it take longer. Most of it isn't really harmful...it is basically a display, like a peacock unfolding its feathers.
There has to be some corner in the upstairs that your Mom could use for a litterbox. Do some creative thinking here. I'm sure you can find a place if you just do a thoughtful walkthrough.
2006-12-01 12:16:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
It's not fair to ask your mom's cat to go to the basement to use the litterbox if she is frightened of your cat. Your mother needs to give way on this issue and find a place upstairs for the box her cat uses. She MUST not let her cat become habituated to this inappropriate litterbox behavior. When the cats are integrated in a few months she can put it back downstairs.
Her cat sounds very fearful and I think your mom should use Rescue Remedy on her for her fears. It's a bottle of liquid which is about $16 at a health food store. She should shake the bottle well, put three or four drops on the fur between the cat's ears, and treat four to five times a day for the next week to ten days. She should begin to relax a little fairly soon and I would still continue it for that length of time. It can't possibly harm her and you have the bottle so might as well use it. If she is under the bed and you cannot reach her put drops on a small cloth and slip it under the bed where she is hiding. "Refresh" the drops on the cloth several times a day.
The flower essences are not drugs or medication and you use them more frequently than you would with those things. Use it LAVISHLY for the best results.
2006-12-01 12:08:55 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've always heard (and follow) the one litter box for each cat plus one extra rule. So two cats would actually equal three litter boxes. Another thing to think about is to get one with a cover. I know I needed to. Cats can get rather bossy and territorial, expecially if the new cat being introduced is younger -- as you are talking about. I had two cats (litter mates) for about five years, then I was given a kitten. The other two cats started with litter box wars and either blocked the kitten (who was trying to do it right) or jumped on her while she was using the cat box! Got to the point the poor little thing would come to wherever I was sitting and poo in front of me (not urinate) just to let me know something was wrong. I sprayed the areas where she and had accidents with cat away and got a covered litter box and put it far away from where the regular litter boxes were. the new cat gravitated toward tht one and niver did a no no on the floor again. End of problem. The only issue became all of them wanted to use that box and ignored the other ones! I started moving the covered one closer and closer to the regular ones, and by then, the kitten had grown enough to defend herself, and eventually I was able to go back to all the boxes being together. Hope this helps!
2016-03-13 01:29:32 · answer #3 · answered by Danielle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have five cats and they now get along well. Some of them still fight quite a bit, but it's mostly all in fun for them. It took a bit of time before they adjusted to each other though. If the cats aren't spayed/neutered, that could be causing part of the problem. If you aren't going to be at your parents for a very long period of time, I would try to keep them separate. If you are, I would suggest perhaps playing string or something with them at the same time. My cats seem to enjoy that. I'm not sure if this is much help to you. Good luck.
2006-12-01 12:07:20 · answer #4 · answered by antigone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know that this suggestion is going to sound a bit mean, but I have had the same problem with my cat when I moved in with a friend. We were told that the best way to get 2 cats to like each other is to create an experience for them that would make them bond. The suggestion that we got was to turn on the shower and at the same time put both cats in the shower. Leave the shower door open so they have the ability to escape. This will make the cats feel that they have survived a dangerous experience together. At first they will both run in their separate directions, but they will acknowledge each other and become friends. If the cats haven't bonded after their brush with death (in their eyes) you could try the butter on the feet trick and lock them in the same room. They both will have to clean their feet. Cats only clean themselves when they are comfortable. They will have no choice but to be comfortable with each other.
2006-12-01 12:14:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Me and my husband had the same problem when we got a new cat. Homer, the one we had before, was really skittish too. He wouldn't leave our room (except to use the litterbox and eat at night) and hissed when Punkin tryed to come in. I was really scared, but everything's fine now. My cats are best friends now. It really depends on how long you've been having the problem. It just took a little time (a week for us). I've read that sometimes it takes a little longer. It depends on the cats involved. I also read that alot of cats can never use the same litter box. Ours never had a problem where that is concerned. We've never had to buy two, but a litter box is too teratorial for some cats to share. I just suggest that you try to be patient for a little longer. Anyway, good luck and hang in there.
2006-12-01 12:32:36 · answer #6 · answered by Crystal Z 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like one's definitely the dominant kitty. They were not socialized correctly. A good way to get a cat used to another animal is to shut the new kitty in the bathroom, then encourage the other cat to sniff around the door and get introduced safely. Then, let the new kitty out of the bathroom or closet, and let the other cat in the room to smell the other cat. Isn't there a bathroom or closet to keep your cat's litter in? She might feel safer if she didn't have to go into the other kitty's territory. As long as you keep their food, water, litter, and toys seperate, they should naturally have their own areas where they feel safe. I hope that helps you out!
2006-12-01 12:04:46 · answer #7 · answered by Sirius's Mommy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put the new cat in the house into a bedroom and close the door for atleast 2 weeks....put food and water and a litter box in there of course, but this is to prevent fights right now. let the other cat come over and sniff and get used to the other cat for this period and them let the new cat out ....if it doesnt work try again for another 2 weeks.... as long as there is no blood drawn and they arent breaking each and stuff in your house, let them fight...they need to establish a hierarchy...once they settle they should get along. Goodluck!!!
2006-12-01 12:07:05 · answer #8 · answered by cherrydevil119 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes i know completely how you feel!!!! my two new cats just totally HATE each other!! or at least they did a month ago luckily we solved them problem!! alot of times when cats first meet they are shy and scared and unfamiliar with the other cats smell. this is probaly why your cat is so upset.
what i did was introduce them slowely in a caged and quite environment not outside or in a noisy room. in a caged area with only you and the two cats. let them stay together for 5 min.
gradually increase this till 10. slowely they will come to except one another and develope a form of dominence
my cats did the same thing with a few problems, if i fight does occur take them out of the pen immedialty so one of them doesn't get hurt
another thing: i had this one cat for 19 years and another till 17 years, they hated each other until the day one of them died, just as people not always can all animals get along. some people say they are just animals but they can have their own set of emotions to
1. TIPS/REASONS IT MIGHT NOT WORK
if you try to introduce your cats to late in life saying they are both old in a situation chances are it will not work
2. make sure the cat who first lived there feels right at home. cats tend to get jealous when some immposter comes home into their house and stealing your affection
3.don't let the new cat feel like he or she is the enemy in the situation and always punish them when they don't obey the family rules of the pets. animals take time to learn as well
4.pay as much attention to both of the animals. i just got a new kitten and want to play with it more than my other pets at times but i don't want to loose the bonds i have made with my other animals.
5.enjoy the time with your animals and never take them for granted i know how that feels and unfortionaly unless you have a tortiose animals don't live forever.
6.love your pets if you ever don't want one (this goes for all of you) don't just abandon it. my new kitten was dumped off in a sewer because the owner didn't want it. she was 5 weeks old and almost dead. instead of giving your pet the death sentece try a friend or the local pet rescue center or adoption center.
*remember, your animal can feel hurt and doesnt deserve to die because of what you cant care for or don't want. would you want some one to throw you away?? then why treat your pet the same. enjoy your time with your pets and love them as long as you can!!!*
2006-12-01 13:03:46 · answer #9 · answered by disneyland_lover 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put a towel or anything that might carry your cat's scent in your mom's room or wherever the skittish cat hangs around. after the cat gets used to the scent of the other cat they will eventually get along and become good pals
2006-12-01 12:03:58 · answer #10 · answered by FashionRocks 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋