Aggressive new cat in house

jmwinke · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:57 pm Post subject: Aggressive new cat in house

My sister is going through a messy divorce and had to move in with me. I have 4 cats myself and she has 2. My problem is with her 8 year old male cat and my 8 year old male and 16 year old female.

Her male appears to be stalking my older female and so my 8 year old (who seems to be protecting the 16 yr old) is constantly fighting with it. There is lots of biting and loads of hair and sometimes blood left all over the floor when the battle is over.

Last night her cat was alone in the same room as my 16 year old female and he urinated on her during a really bad fight. He just kept biting and clawing her and he had trapped her in a corner where she couldn't run from him. He actually ripped out a claw and was bleeding pretty bad. She got in several bites herself and his ears took the brunt of the attack. We put her in a bedroom and him in another for the night; each with food and water, but I'm afraid to leave them in the house together now.... My 8 year old cat that normal protects the 16 year old was locked in a room he wasn't supposed to be in and couldn't help her.

Any suggestions....I'm really considering having him declawed just because I don't want him killing her...although he does a darn good job with his teeth in fights. She has really lost a lot of weight over the last few months they have lived together and she is 16! She's no spring chicken!

I'm also going to give the vet a call and find out if medication can be prescribed to help with the aggression.

I would hate to upset my sister any more. Besides the divorce she is being treated for cancer and she's only 36, so I will try to deal with this situation. I just don't want to lose a cat either.......

Mary_NH · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:42 pm Post subject:

don't declaw him - you could create more aggressive behavior. He's much too old to be going through that and like you say - he can still use his teeth.
How did you handle the initial introduction? I could simply keep the 2 cats belonging to your sister in a separate room from your cats, for up to 2 weeks if possible then reintroduce them slowly. A little bit each day. When they are starting to coexist a bit better then extend the time together.
Start over with introductions

Mary_NH · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:49 pm Post subject:

here's a link that offers some suggestions
http://www.cuhumane.org/topics/catcat.html

Chessmind · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:23 am Post subject:

Hi and welcome to Auspet. Very Happy

I agree with everything Mary_NH said. Declawing will only make the situation worse. Not only that, but it's simply not the solution to the problem. The link that Mary_NH left you has a lot of great info. I know you can resolve these issues without having to declaw the cat. I wish you, the cats and your sister all the best. Please come back and let us know how things are going. We are here to help.

vene · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 4253

Declawing is not a good option for problems in the household. It can lead to severe biting and improper elimination outside of the litterbox. And if the declawed cat ever sneak outdoors, he would not have defence against dogs or wild animals. I would definitely try the slow introduction as recommended by the above posters and maybe get a Feliway diffuser. Most pet stores like Petsamart or Petco should carry Feliway plug-ins and/ or sprays. It's a bit costly but it's supposed to calm cats and it will save you vet bills and furniture costs during tough battles between the kitties. Here's a thread on how Feliway works too well:

http://www.catkb.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx/cat-health/4125/Feliway-works-too-well

Once things are settled in our household, we'd love to meet your kitties. Do you have pics of yours and her little one? What are their names?

charmedagain · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 2238 Location: uk

Are all cats spayed and neutered.
It is normal for you 8year old male to defend your female as they have lived together for awhile so now there is more cats on there territory so this is going to cause problems.

I agree the only thing to do really is keep your sisters cats away from your, At 16yrs your cat does not need the stress or upset which will be causing her to lose weight through stress.

I hope the situation gets better soon, I have you all in my prayers

Mike

shnen · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:31 am Post subject:

you could also try giving your male the Bach flower rescue remedy.
it helps safely and naturally calm people and animals.

you can get it at any health food store. I have used it on my cats when they become overly territorial (I have a newer addition to the house and they don't always get along, causing concern).

Good luck...