posted 09-11-2003 10:57 PM         

I wish i could see Cleo in action because I'd be able to tell what the aggression is about. It could be very determined cat-hate aggression (wanting to be the only cat) or a varient on pecking order or even play. Some cats will 'play' but their idea of play is the other cat's hell.

I think its great you have helped Amaretto find new territory, and have helped her confidence. But my suggestion might be considered really bad from her point of veiw, at least initially.

I suggest you think about getting a 3rd cat. I think another cat will shift the dynamics in your household and give Cleo someone else to focus her attention on. The new cat may be quite able to deal with Cleo's attention, and even teach her a bit of humble-pie.

I would suggest a young cat (2-5 yrs) with confidence (maybe a male).

Of course this would be a gamble as, Cleo might truely hate other competition in which case it might still work, but might be worse.

Give some cat behaviour books a read (or web sites?) because I think you are the best person to try and predict what their reactions to a new cat might be, and I think you need to think about it alot before bringing a newcomer on the scene.

posted 09-12-2003 04:37 AM            

Finally someone I can talk to about this. The aggression is more than play, I believe anyhow. About 3 weeks after we adopted Cleo she bit Amaretto very badly. It required a vet visit and antibiotics. This put Amaretto in constant fear and she started peeing and pooping all over the place. We bought a cat pheromone dispenser and since then she has stopped peeing around. I'm not sure if its the dispenser at work or if she no long lives in fear now that she has claimed the tops of the entertainment center and book cases as her own. She constantly sits on these and hides under the love seat during the day. I'll try and describe Cleo's actions.

She knows Amaretto hides under the love seat, what she will do is sit right beside it, or on the dining room chair which overlooks the love seat and watch. If a tail or paw comes out Cleo will swipe at it (even though she has no front claws). If Amaretto is ever caught out in the open Cleo will chase her. Amaretto is fast enough now (especially with the new bell which gives her warning) to get away. I'm not sure if Cleo would bite again as we only see her chasing but we never let it get to the point where she can attempt biting. Amaretto's reaction to her stalking is to hiss and then run away. Now if Amaretto is sitting on the couch with my or my spouce Cleo will not case or attack her, it is only when Amaretto is alone that she does these things.

Cleo does not use Amaretto's litter box, nore does she eat her food.

posted 09-12-2003 07:15 AM            

Unfortunately, I can't offer any advice. My cats have always got along after the first week of chasing and hissing. Now if I could just get the new puppy to stop terrorizing them...

posted 09-12-2003 07:31 AM            

Its emitts the facial and whisker pheramones of the cat. These are the most friendly and comforting to the cats. Thats why they rub you with their faces, and rub items as well. It makes them feel comfortable. Its like an air freshener you plug in. It reduces stress and prevents random peeing etc.

posted 09-13-2003 06:14 AM            

Its funny yesterday Amaretto was looking under one of our lamps on the end table. Cleo jump up on the table and was inches from Amaretto. She did not attempt to bite, she only sniffed. Maybe her clawless batting of Amaretto under the love seat has turned to playing? What do you think? The biggest problem no is that Amaretto is terrified of Cleo, she hisses and hides whenever she sees her. This is understandable since Cleo did rip a chunk out of her side just over a month ago.

posted 09-13-2003 08:11 AM         

First, you need to get them used to the idea that they both will get love & friendship from you. To quote Flefly "I have also tried to pay a lot of attention to the offending cats when Bebe is around so they can see that she isn't the only one who gets attention." So, lots of talking to both cats in friendly warm tones, with no raised voices or inflections. Try to make their time with you calm and confident.

Second, try introducing play with an interactive toy (shoelaces, a drinking straw - anything you can control). Make the game about you entertaining them, rather than them competiting. You might find that one becomes more dominant (sp?) during the session, but try to encourge each to watch. Don't chastise either of them, even if the other gets a fright. Its important for both cats to learn and understand that they both have a right to your love and attention. I suggest at least 15 mins of this a day, and most likily extra time for each cat individually as well (try seperate times and parts of the house for individual play time).

I have a question too. When you give Amaretto special 'love-time', what does Cleo do? Does she leave the room? maybe sit in the doorway or just outside the room? Does she sit within sight? stare? go to sleep? purr? does she sit facing away but listening with her ears? I ask because this will give you a clue as to what is going on. Wheather, this is jealousy or an insecurity of Cleo's.

We know that Amaretto's problem is insecurity due to Cleo invading her home, attacking her, etc. And helping her will improve both cats, but I think getting to the bottem of Cleo's peoblem will enable you to really tackle the whole issue and come closer to them acepting each other.

I don't know about Fleafly's way of time outs being the best solution, although it proberly was essential for her cats. I think that positive reinforcement works a lot better than negative, and maybe with Cleo inviting play like you described she is ready for positive learning.

Two things though. Be ready for set backs and don't let it control you. You must be determined to help them through this. Also don't buy any catnip toys! Let them trust each other first (might be years before you get to that level of trust).

I hope this has helped. Please tell me how Cleo behaves in the above situation.

posted 09-14-2003 04:18 PM            

When I am spending time with Amaretto Cleo is usually resting in the bedroom or lying in the hallway. You see we live in an apartment so when we first found Cleo and had to isolate her(until we got her shots) the only room free for this was our bedroom. Amaretto use to sleep with us everynight, I think it was a mistake now to give Cleo the bedroom. Celo had been abused when we first found her and our room was the one room where we could focus on Cleo with the door shut, thus not exposing Amaretto to possible FIV, etc.