![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by PhoenixGirl on February 25, 2005, at 16:04:49
It's been 3 weeks since I got my new cat. The cat I've had for about a year is still attacking him. I don't know what to do. Gosh, I'm afraid I'll have to give him to the Humane Society shelter. The thought hurts me really bad. He chases down my new cat almost every time they're together.
The reason I would give my original cat away is that on a personality level, I like the new cat better. I had wanted to keep them both and have them be friends, though. That doesn't seem to be working out, and I don't know what to do.
Posted by Phil on February 25, 2005, at 16:14:22
In reply to My old cat is still attacking the new cat! :(, posted by PhoenixGirl on February 25, 2005, at 16:04:49
I don't know if this will be of any help but here it is anyway.
Good luck!
Phil
Posted by NikkiT2 on February 25, 2005, at 17:07:32
In reply to My old cat is still attacking the new cat! :(, posted by PhoenixGirl on February 25, 2005, at 16:04:49
This might sound like a really stupid suggestion.. but maybe bathe them, and completely bleach ut the litter tray, wash the toys etc, and put dab of aftershave or perfume on the backs of their necks.. something to do with removing their different scents..
Not 100% it would work, but it worked my hamsters who were trying to murder each other *l*
Nikki x
Posted by anastasia56 on February 25, 2005, at 17:29:50
In reply to My old cat is still attacking the new cat! :(, posted by PhoenixGirl on February 25, 2005, at 16:04:49
i know you don't usually take cats for a walk (ok i have known some people that do) but what if you took the two of them out of the house into neutral territory. when we brought our puppy home they had told us to have the puppy meet the older dog outside in the street. of course it's a little late for a 'meet and greet' with the cats but it might still be an interesting endeavor. see how the 'established' cat treats the other elsewhere. i have no idea how that relates to their behavior back home but what do you have to lose?
ana
Posted by Angielala on February 25, 2005, at 17:34:51
In reply to My old cat is still attacking the new cat! :(, posted by PhoenixGirl on February 25, 2005, at 16:04:49
Do not fear...
I have 3 cats... all of which were brought home at different times. It takes a while for a cat to accept the other cat. Just like people. it depends on each cat's personailty. You have a top cat that wants to be the ONLY cat, and a new kitty that is a push-over. Don't worry about this- they will eventually stop the bickering.
The only thing to watch for is actually hurting each other- meaning blood. This usually only happens with strays (terrority is much different to a stray).
However, the fighting is normal- your first cat is showing the new cat who is boss.
The last kitty I brought home took my sencond cat about 6 months to accept. They are hardly best buddies, but #2 no longer hisses and chases #3.
It took a full year for #1 to be in the same room as #2 and they are best buddies now- sleep together and everything.
It takes a lot longer for cats to accept each other then people... although there are those select few cats that love ALL other cats.... but that's not typical.
Don't worry about giving the cat back- you are just witnessing a top cat's "Welcoming Party"
Oh- also- I bet after time (like months) you'll find your original cat will be much more loving in general. Strange the way their personalities will change once they realize that they aren't the only kitty in the world..hehe
:)
Posted by Shortelise on February 25, 2005, at 17:49:22
In reply to My old cat is still attacking the new cat! :(, posted by PhoenixGirl on February 25, 2005, at 16:04:49
Leave them alone, don't take any sides, let them work it out. Absolutely don't interfere.
Have a good feel of the cat that is getting attacked. Are there any scratches? Any wounds.
Cats must work t hese things out. They may still become good friends. But again, let them work it out, even if they're yowling and screeching. In a month, if they have hurt each other or are still fighting horribly, do try to find a home for one of them. There are nice homes out here for cats!
Hugs
ShortE
Posted by PhoenixGirl on February 25, 2005, at 19:18:37
In reply to Re: My old cat is still attacking the new cat! :(, posted by Angielala on February 25, 2005, at 17:34:51
Oh my gosh! *Runs to hug all of you* Thank you so much for your support and for the information you're giving me. I've never had cats that weren't litter-mates, so I've been freaking out. I love them both so much.
I've tried to keep them separated, but it is so hard to keep one in the bedroom and one in the living room when I have to go into BOTH rooms at various times in the day. They run out when I open the door.
Earlier tonight there seemed to be an encouraging sign. Cat #2 actually entered the same room as Cat #1, and they both fell asleep in the same room. When they woke up, Cat #1 started the chasing behavior again, but it was nice that he had a little bit of calm time. He even sniffed Cat #2's head and walked away without doing anything.
I'll keep you guys up to date on the cat drama.
Posted by frida on February 26, 2005, at 7:22:03
In reply to My old cat is still attacking the new cat! :(, posted by PhoenixGirl on February 25, 2005, at 16:04:49
Hi!
I just wanted to share that I had the same problem 3 years ago, when I brought in a new kitty. I've had my old cat for 13 years old and three years ago I brought in a new kitty. At first she absolutely hated him, they faught a lot, it was terrible. I didn't know what to do, I had to keep them in separate rooms, it was a mess, they would cry when the doors were locked, my house was a complete mess. It lasted for some months even. If I forgot to close the door, the old cat would go and attack the new one and hurt him quite badly sometimes. I was afraid of them hurting each other, so I was alert. But then when it was colder :-) and the heater was on, I decided to try and see what happened...and they slowly got closer. They still faught sometimes but then the new one would get closer to sleep near her.
I decided to let them together to see what happened, but always watching in case things got really bad , but eventually things worked out. Now they still fight from time to time, but they are very good friends, they are always together, the old one defends the other cat, and everything's okay.
I'd say to give it some time, and to let them together, they will work it out, but at the same time try to be alert and if it gets too bad put them in different rooms at least for a little while (I know that's very incovenient but only for a while). Try to show the old cat that you still like him :-) Cats can be very jealous.Good luck!!! Just be patient and give them some time, they will work it out.
Frida
Posted by AuntieMel on February 26, 2005, at 11:08:54
In reply to Re: My old cat is still attacking the new cat! :(, posted by PhoenixGirl on February 25, 2005, at 19:18:37
frida is right. The more time they have together the quicker they will work it out. They need to have equal access to you for any jealosy to be resolved.
And if there is no blood you have nothing to worry about.
Posted by Angielala on February 26, 2005, at 11:33:32
In reply to Re: My old cat is still attacking the new cat! :(, posted by PhoenixGirl on February 25, 2005, at 19:18:37
Good sign! It'll be fine... in a few months you might find them sleeping next to each other, maybe even cuddling!
> Oh my gosh! *Runs to hug all of you* Thank you so much for your support and for the information you're giving me. I've never had cats that weren't litter-mates, so I've been freaking out. I love them both so much.
> I've tried to keep them separated, but it is so hard to keep one in the bedroom and one in the living room when I have to go into BOTH rooms at various times in the day. They run out when I open the door.
> Earlier tonight there seemed to be an encouraging sign. Cat #2 actually entered the same room as Cat #1, and they both fell asleep in the same room. When they woke up, Cat #1 started the chasing behavior again, but it was nice that he had a little bit of calm time. He even sniffed Cat #2's head and walked away without doing anything.
> I'll keep you guys up to date on the cat drama.
Posted by Rach on February 27, 2005, at 0:44:21
In reply to Re: My old cat is still attacking the new cat! :( » PhoenixGirl, posted by AuntieMel on February 26, 2005, at 11:08:54
I had a cat that had kittens, and I kept one of the kittens and gave the others away.
The mother and the kitten (when she was grown) would often fight terribly, and then suddenly be grooming each other.
They're like humans - some get along, some don't, and some get along sometimes. Don't stress too much. They'll work it out eventually. They might periodically fight once things are worked out, but it's just the nature of any beings living close together! Good luck.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.