Any suggestions on how to get 2 female cats to co habitate?

Question

they fight and hiss at each other alot one is fixed and she is new to my home the other is still a young cat but not a kitten

Answer 1

It takes a LONG time for cats to accept one another, particularly if they're not introduced to other cats young in kittenhood. Hissing and growling is pretty normal, especially with females as female cats are less social than male cats. You can put the new one in one room for a few days, and let them sniff at each other under the door. As long as they aren't physically fighting, just hissing and maybe a swat or two, that's pretty par for the course. Most cats work it out eventually, typically it takes 1 or 2 months. There's a product called Feliway that's cat pheromones, it comes in a spray and a vaporizer that plugs into an electric outlet like a Glade plug-in air freshener. It's supposed to have a calming effect on upset/anxious cats. Some people swear by it, some people say it makes no difference, but it might be worth trying. Mine will never be friends, but they've learned to "tolerate each other's presence", especially in the sunny window. I still get the hissing and snorting from time to time, and it's been 3 years now.

Answer 2

A slow introduction is always best, but seeing as they have already met each other, only time will heal them. Try your best to make sure it does not get violent. and that the contacts they do have are as positive as possible. You might think about giving them a special treat at the same time when each other is around(seperate bowls/treats of course).

Time is the BIGGEST consideration when two cats need to get along, regardless of age or sex. Though generally, the younger the cat, the easier it takes to newcomers. However, this levels off at around th 8 month mark, and after that its all about the same, for the most part. As with anything else, there are exceptions.

Sometimes it takes jsut a matter of weeks, sometimes it takes months.

Answer 3

You can't just bring a new cat into your home and expect your old cat to put up with it! (hee hee hee). Especially female cats who are premadonnas! Here's what to do:

1. Set up a comfortable "safe room" for New Cat. Put her food, water, litter box (not near the food), scratching post, toys, and bed or other sleeping mat there. Expect a great deal of "hissy-spitty" behavior through the closed door from both cats.This is natural and normal; they are just starting to explore their "pecking order."
2. Scent is very important for cats. Let each of them smell the other indirectly, by rubbing a towel on one and letting the other smell it. They will soon accept the scent as a normal part of the house.
3. Once or twice, switch roles. Put New Cat in the normal living quarters, and let your resident cat sniff out the new cat's Safe Room.
4. After a day or so, let the two cats sniff each other through a baby-gate or through a barely-opened door. Gauge the rate at which they seem to be acclimating to each other.
5. When you think they're ready, let them mingle under your supervision. Ignore hissing and growling, but you may have to intervene if a physical battle breaks out. Again, take this step slowly, depending on how quickly they get along. If they do seem to tolerate each other, even begrudgingly, praise both of them profusely.
6. Make their first activities together enjoyable ones so they will learn to associate pleasure with the presence of the other cat. Feeding (with their own separate dishes), playing, and petting. Keep up with the praise.
7. If things start going badly, separate them again, and then start where you left off. If one cat seems to consistently be the aggressor, give her some "time out," then try again a little bit later.

The process of acceptance varies from cat to cat... but eventualy, both will accept the other. Just be patient. Lots of snuggle-time and attention is indicated for all cats concerned during this period. Remember, the prime goal is to get them to associate pleasure with the presence of each other.

Answer 4

Cats are very territorial as are most animals. Mostly it will take time. Eventually they will start to tolerate each other, and then one day you'll come home from work/school to find them cuddling on the sofa. It helps if you introduce them properly. You don't want to be overly loving to the new kitty, or the other will become insecure, jealous,& needy. Give your new kitty loving so she knows she's welcome, but give your other kitty a little bit more, so she know's she hasn't been shoved aside. If your kitties are cuddlers at night, give your new one lovin' , but have your other kitty closer to you and higher than the new kitty. What I mean by that is, having new kitty sleeping by your hip, while the original kitty is on your pillow. Cats need to establish who is going to be "alpha". Right now that's you-the owner. By letting the original kitty be closer to you, show's that as "alpha" of the house, you have made her "alpha" of the cats. I hope I helped a little. Good luck. :)

Answer 5

I had the same problem. I have a one yr girl and in Nov I got a 3 month old. They hated each other at first, but after about a month they started to love each other. Now they play and sleep together all the time:)

Answer 6

Haha, good luck! Remember, cats are much like us women you know. You're tryna get a dominate female (this is my camp) who can no longer reproduce to get along with the NKOTB that is at the height of sexual prowess. Go figure. Cats are territorial and rank structured animals. Your oldest cat naturally feels threatened.

Answer 7

put a male cat between them.