New cat and problems!

pebblesmom · Member Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 30

My neice took in a stray that was hanging around her house. Got him Neutered and introduced him to her two existing cats. Everything seemed fine for a day or so until the other cats (neutered male and spayed female) starting going at each other. ACtually, the female started 'screaming' and the male attacked her. The new cat stays out of trouble but the two that have lived to gether for 3 years now seem to hate each other!! She is so upset and has for now put the new cat at her mom's house until she can find it a new home.
It doesn't seem to matter though because the other cats are still going at each other!! Any advice?

sunset05 · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 2:33 pm Post subject:

Maybe the two kitties were upset that a new cat was there. Even though the new cat is somewhere else, it may take a short time for the other two to adjust again. They may still smell the scent of the other cat.

I hope everything gets back to normal. I hope you can find new kitty a new home.

vene · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 4249

Some extra individual TLC and playtime might do the trick. Good luck finding him a new home!

lunaguy · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:09 pm Post subject:

There's a right way and a wrong way to introduce a new cat into a household. The right way involves keeping the new cat closed off in his own room for a while and letting the cats sniff each other's scents through the door, and then exchanging bedding so they can get used to each other's scents, and then gradually allowing them to interact, etc. If this was not done in this case, then that may be the cause of the failure. Maybe your niece could read a little about this online and then try again? A lot has been written about this on this site. Good luck!

coppersmom · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:47 pm Post subject:

Maybe she should try some Feliway plug ins. They are supossed to calm the cats.

allenysis · New member Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 5

i had problems with my two kitties and it was harder because the first cat is 8 mos and the new kitten was only 1 month. The only way to introduce a cat in a home with previous cats is to close the new kitty off and have the new and old cats play with a sock of their own. Then after the cats seem to ignore the room with the new kitty, switch socks. This introduces the kitties to the new kitty smell without fear and vice versa. Once they seem ok with the sock slowly allow the cats to intermingle. If they start bickering cover one of the bickering cats with a towel or remove from room for a short time. Keep trying until they get used to each other. It may take some time, but will work. When they do get to intermingle, don't expect them to be lovey dovey. They will just allow the other cat in their presence. the love will come with alot of time.