Message Boards

I have 4 indoor cats. one I just brought in 4 weeks ago. she's about 8 or 9 months old. two of my cats tolerate the new cat. but one doesn't. she hisses and growls at the new cat. can you give me any help about what I can do?

Yes, treee, I can give you a few suggestions on how to handle this situation ~ it's actually very common. I'm assuming that all four have been neutered or spayed ~ that does make a difference.

It's actually pretty simple BUT will require you to spend a lot of time ~ do you have that time to spend and are you willing to do it? If so, put the new cat up and spend some extra time with the one who doesn't like the new addition. Then switch ~ and give extra time to the new one ~ then switch back again to the one who is feeling displaced.

Alternate your attention BUT be on guard the minute your existing cat goes into attack mode - let her know that such behavior is not acceptable. If it's just growling and hissing, no problem ~ they are simply establishing their boundaries. But, if it escalates into a physical altercation, you need to step in....

Bottom line, it will take some time BUT you really are the one who will set the climate ~ each of them needs to know that you are the leader of the clowder ~ good luck! I know it might seem like an uphill battle right now but it will be resolved much more quickly than even you can hope.

Take the leadership role; let the new cat know that she is welcome and let your established cat know that violence won't be tolerated. It will take some time ~ probably 3-4 months, but if you are diligent, peace will reign once again! And your family will have been enhanced by the addition of the new one.

In my experience, cats aren't really jealous of another cat; they are just concerned about their own well-being. So, re-assure both that they will be safe/happy nothwithstanding the change in circumstances. Did I mention that cats DO NOT LIKE CHANGES? Oops, they don't so you will need to spend time with both.

If you do, I will bet you anything that you will be posting back in 6 months that everything worked out ~ but the "work" part is on you ~ not fair, I know, but it is reality ~ you set the tone for the two of them. My money is on you....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Idaho Resident,

As the owner of 6 indoor only(#7 is currently recuperating in a guestroom until she can safely join the others)cats, I can tell you, they will be fine, but it might take time.

You do want to make sure all are spayed and neutered. This will eliminate issues such as spraying and marking territory as well as unwanted reproducing.

It will take time, but they will eventually settle down.

The longest it ever took at our house was when we added 2 rescues. We had Callie who was very territorial. The first 6 months the new ones were here, she spent in DD's room. She only slipped out to use the litterbox and eat. If you caught her while she was out of the room, she would hiss and take off. Finally one day she decided to come out and join the family and all was well in her world.

So just give them time and treat them as you normally would. They will come around and behave normally-eventually.

Ours already know there is a new housemate waiting to join them. So hopefully once the vet gives the okay that she is healed from her eye surgery we will have a smooth transition. We are just hoping an angry "slap" won't hit the eye we've worked so hard to save.

see my post on sometimes it takes time. Even with a spay/neuter, it still can take a long time. We tried to help things along, but at the end of the day (and our case, a year) the cats were the ones that settled in.

thanks for your help. I know how it is with cats. been through this before. this time it just seem different.

thanks for the help.all have been neutered and sprayed. the new can seems to have settled in well.just my girl Sugar that doesn't seem to want to get along with the new cat.

thanks for your reply. seems the new cat wants to be friends. all she has to do is look at the other cat. and she starts hissing and growling.

No worries, treee, since the new cat wants to be friends ~ you are already half-way there! Yes, really...

I know it's hard to believe right now BUT your established cat will come around in time ~ as long as it is just hissing and growling, no problems. Give them time to work it out between themselves; I promise, it will work out!

thank you. it can't be to soon. I keep the new cat in the basement at night. I feel she is safe and I think she feels safe.

We took in 2 kittens in July to go with our 2 six year old cats. The one older cat, is such a mother hen, that he took to them right away and the kittens loved being around him.

However....the other cat (Samson) HATED the kittens. We left a baby gate up and put a large sheet of cardboard on top, so no one could jump it. The kittens could see Samson and he could see them. He hissed constantly at them and tried to swat through the gate. At night, we put them in their own room so everyone could have some peace. Eventually (about 2 weeks), Samson calmed down a bit, so we let them out together. Samson would swat, hiss and kind of jump on them. We would distract him if he acted like he was going into attack mode. The kittens also learned to keep their distance.

Fast forward 4 months....Samson will still swat at them now and then, but not in an aggressive way. Sometimes he evens plays with them or lets them lay beside him.

So, hopefully your kitty will accept the new one eventually. As long as there isn't any fighting I would say it's successful! Good luck.

If you get the cable channel "Animal Planet" watch "My Cat from He11". That guy has some great ideas.

One thing he uses often is food. Feed the cats from separate bowls but in the same space. When the new one is present make sure the older ones get the best catfood they have ever eaten. You want the older cats to think great things happen when the newbie is around.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JoW,

thanks that's agood idea. I'll try it. and I'll be sure to watch the show next time its on.

no fighting just hissing and growling. my boy cat he tolerates the new kitty. my other girl she tolerates,too. sometimes she'll hiss and chase the new kitty. but all in all they're good with the new kitty. its just my other cat.