Helping a cat get used to surroundings?

Question

I am currently cat sitting, [not that I wanted to >.<] and I can't go into my room due to the mom cat yowling and hissing and trying to attack me [she's in her cage currently]. She's attacked my own cat [and bit me HARD on the finger when I tried to separate them] and has been attacking her own kittens. The other cat is just hiding under my bed.

My friend was afraid of getting evicted unless he got rid of them [he's in the process of getting a new place, but if he got evicted, then he'd be out of the running for the new place]. My apartment is the second place in two days, and I know they're agitated, but how do I handle this? My cat is in my sisters apartment currently.

I can't really remove the new cats from the situation, it's just easier for me to move my cat. But she's okay with it because she goes back and forth between my apartment and my sisters anyway [my sister lives upstairs from me]. I tried leaving them in two separate rooms, but my cat knows how to open my bedroom door, so it's just easier to leave her with my sister.

I did hit the momma cat when she bit me, but that was more of a self defense thing than anything else. I have this flying ball of fur attached to my finger, yea, I think I'm going to hit it in an attempt to get it off of there. [I have 6 wounds on my finger where she got me, its all swollen and painful, currently soaking in neosporin after being in peroxide]

Answer 1

Keep your cat completely separated from these cats like you're doing now. Because of the high level of stress and agitation in your apartment right now, try not to let them see each other either. If this visiting cat is in a foul mood, do not try to pet or otherwise interact with her - just let her be. If possible, keep feeding them the same food they've been eating to keep stress levels down. Also ask your friend for some articles of his clothing that you can put with his cats. Familiar smells can really help a cat feel more at home, and due to the territorial nature of cats it's very helpful.

Try some natural products such as Feliway or Rescue Remedy. Feliway comes in a spray or plug-in diffuser and simulates calming facial pheromones produced by cats. Have you ever seen a cat mark an object or your pant leg by rubbing the side of their face on it? They're leaving behind those pheromones and the next time the cat smells it she thinks, 'Oh yeah, this is a nice place. I'm relaxed here. It's familiar and safe.' Feliway is available at many pet stores and online. I know many people in cat rescue who frequently foster kitties and swear by Feliway. Most of the ones I've talked to have said that they notice more of a difference when they use the spray version, however, if you buy the spray version try to find the VHS tape that is sold with some of them and gives great directions on its proper use and remember to re-spray the areas every day for best results.
Rescue Remedy is a Bach Flower essence that also has calming and stress reducing effects. It is a liquid and several drops may be added to the cat's water or put directly into the cat's mouth although I don't recommend putting it in the cat's mouth directly because it is preserved with alcohol so it tastes bad - this will only create more stress. Rescue Remedy is marketed mostly to humans but may also be used for pets. Look for it at health food stores.

Answer 2

First of all, you are already doing the right thing in keeping the new cat seperated from the original cats already in your home. Your cats should enjoy the free roam they have always known - but the new cat needs to be kept in a seperate room - with her own litterbox and food - until all cats involved have calmed down a bit.
You should not be the one to introduce the new cat to your cats. Have someone from outside your home be the one who first introduces them. Do it in VERY SMALL amounts of time!! Just a few minutes each time until an acceptable adjustment occurs. As soon as distress (growling, hissing, etc.) occurs, remove THE NEW CAT - NOT the original cat(s)! Remember - this is THEIR home - the guest cat is the intruder. Her kittens - depending on age - will probably adjust to the new surrounds MUCH quicker than the mommy. Be sure to watch your cats around the kittens - remember they are defenseless right now and will need your protection.
NEVER EVER punish any of the cats by hitting them! This will only make the situation MUCH WORSE! Encouragement and praise will work much faster. Have kitty treats around and be sure all cats get some when you are introducing them to each other - they will see this as a positive experience.
It can take a few weeks for things to calm down - but with time and patience, you CAN have a peaceful household. Even if they all never become friends - they will eventually tolerate each other. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Poor cat, it must be totally confused and stressed out. Yes, there is a lot of hissing going on, because the cat has to adjust to a new environment and is smelling your cat. I would suggest you leave the cat in another bedroom with the cage door open and let the cat explore its new surroundings. Go into this room allot so she can bond with you first, before she is bonding with your cat. Give it a week and eventually your cat will play with the other cat under the door and get to know each other. Just be patient. Don't approach the cat, because she is frightened and will bite you out of self defense and not to be mean.
It'll will work out.

Answer 4

Cats are very territorial, and particularly when they've had kittens. The trauma of being moved around may have been too much for this cat. She needs a very quiet, closed room, surrounded by her favorite things. You might want to keep her kittens nearby, but not where she can get them. Let her smell them, so she doesn't get "unbonded" with them, but until she stops attacking them, she shouldn't be locked up with them. Keep the room dark and VERY quiet, and keep your cat away. I'm sad that your cat had to be moved to another place, because now she's going to be uprooted as well. Can you bring her home but just keep her in rooms other than the one the new cat is in?

If you keep this other cat for any length of time, you can gradually introduce her to your own cat, but don't even consider trying until she's been there for WEEKS and seems OK with having things that smell like your cat around her. Because she has kittens, she's not going to take to having other cats around. In natural settings, other cats, esp. males, will sometimes kill kittens.

Answer 5

keep them separated and try to make ure that there is no way each other can get to each other. Like, keep a cat at the other side of the room.

Answer 6

Put butter under all four paws. I'm serious it helps! Once they lick it all they will like there home.