I moved home a month ago after being on my own for a month, and brought my two female cats with me (they're a year old). The problem lies with my mom's 8-year old female cat, who doesn't want them in 'her' house. I keep my cats in my room all day (their food and litter is in there), so when anyone gets home after work, we let them out and they run around and get their energy out like they're supposed to. Any time they encounter my mom's cat, they get into hissing fights and 'bat' each other with their paws. It hasn't gotten really bad yet, but it's literally been four weeks since we moved there, and it hasn't gotten any better. Any suggestions how we can improve the situation? Has anyone else gone through this, and if so, how long did it take for the dust to settle??
2007-08-06 07:58:35 · 5 answers · asked by Abby 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I can relate to your situation, in that I brought two kittens into my home after my oldest cat succumbed to thyroid disease complications. I had one surviving older cat who may or may not have been happy to have the house to herself. The kittens were four and seven months, and my older cat was 8.
Sure, there was growling and hissing. But while they had no choice but to mingle, my older cat was not happy. Part of her unhappiness was the fact that they had so much energy.
The older cat is used to being the alpha cat in the house. Part of her hissing and growling is to tell the newcomers who is boss. But some of it may be annoyance at these new turbo charged balls of fur.
Four weeks is perhaps a bit too soon, although if all you are dealing with is hissing, that is really not a big deal. Your two youngsters are used to each other, and will likely take a lot of energy out on each other, allowing the older cat to adjust.
And batting; I found that more amusing than of a concern. Fortunately, I was able to be around for most of the time, so I never kept them separated. If there really isn't any blood being drawn, then I would suggest it be 'open house', so the older cat understands they are here to stay. By keeping them separated all these weeks, but only letting them out at night may be comparable to a new situation each night.
It has been almost four years since the kittens came into my house. It has worked out wonderfully. And it didn't take anywhere near four years to have that result. Probably a couple of months. And the kitten that was continually put into the submission position by my older cat are now good friends, and the smallest kitten thinks she is alpha.
2007-08-06 08:21:05 · answer #1 · answered by cat lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am currently in this same situation we got a 8 week old kitten but also have a 7 year old cat we have searched for answers just like you have and haave seen that hissing and batting are normal and will eventually go away but it does take time could be weeks months or possibly years trying holding the younger ones and showing them to the older one to avoid attacks also give yourolder cat lots of love she is probably feeling like she is being replaced which you must let her know is not the case i wish you lots of luck!
2007-08-06 08:11:00 · answer #2 · answered by Emily D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dust may never settle. The resident cat is old and she like things her way. Now that there are more cats a pecking order needs to be established. That may happen eventually but expect no great happenings for about 90 days
2007-08-06 08:03:23 · answer #3 · answered by chicki 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's not really much that you can do about it. Just let them get used to each other on their own, they'll establish their own "territories" within the house, don't worry. If they haven't hurt each other yet, they're probably not going to, so you don't have to lock your girls up during the day anymore.
It can take months, even years for them to start getting along, so I guess you'll just have to be patient, break up any fights that get too rough and just do the best you can. :-)
Good luck!
2007-08-06 08:10:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Introducing new cats to a house where there has been one "queen bee" can be difficult. The key is to do it gently, slowly, and patiently. Here's a site that can give you some ideas. Throwing them in a room together is a recipe for disaster, so don't do that.
2007-08-06 08:04:32 · answer #5 · answered by L H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋