Cat Fights

Hi

I have 3 cats 1 male and 2 females. We had 1 female first, then we found a stray who was in need of a home. She was all beaten up had been declawed and according to the Vet was on the streets for apx. 6 month. Her head was crooked and the Vet told me that her Equelibium was off because she had had an Ear Infection at one point that was not treated. Anyway we nursed her back to health and she is the most loyal and sweetest cat you will ever meet. Anyway the issue that we have been having for apx. 3 years is that I can not have the 2 females out at the same time. The male is really laid back so he has no problem with the 2 of them. The females however will howel as soon as they see eachother spit hiss and attack each other to the point that one bit the other and we had to go to the vet.

My question is what can I do. As of right now, one of the females is out during the day and the other one is out in the evening. They live in 2 sperate rooms and I am getting ready to renovate one of the rooms, so I need to find a way to have them live together in one room. Plus they don't get to have enough quality time running around the house.

Can you give me some advice. Nothing works I tried to give them treats when they are out together, everybody's scent is all over the house and I just don't know what else to do.

Sincerely,

Tina



Hi, Tina,

I would suggest you start with the worst possible scenario, address it, and then work backward. If you face the worst, then any improvement over that will only be better.

It sometimes occurs that 2 cats can never seem to work out their differences and live peacefully together. If that is the case, there are really only two options: (1) find a loving home for one of the female cats or (2) arrange your home so they can be in separate areas and rotate them if you wish, but accept it and understand cats do not need much space to be happy. They do need attention and love, so be sure and divide your time between the two of them.


Ok, those are the 2 worst options. Neither is so bad, except that if you're like me, the thought of giving up a cat once it's "yours", is unbearable and out of the question.

If you choose to keep them separated while you keep trying to achieve peace, there are a few things you can do to try to help them get along:

Be patient. Don't expect changes quickly.

Praise them when they are even the least little bit tolerant of each other.

Do not yell or punish when they hiss or growl. That will only make them worse.

In fact, they will pick up on your tension if you get tense when they are cross with each other. Try to remain calm and keep a pleasant tone in your voice. This may actually be one of the most important things you can do. I have found that not reacting is the key to stopping a wide variety of feline behaviors.

If you haven't tried Comfort Zone With Feliway For Cats & Kittens Plug In, you should. It comes in a spray version in addition to the plug-in. I would suggest you use both.

Try to have them experience as many good times as possible in each other's presence. Use cat nip, treats, brushing, playing with a fun toy...anything that they can enjoy while in the same room, even if it requires them being at opposite ends of the room each with a different person.

Did your vet mention medication to help them relax and become less aggressive? That is definitely an option and if it wasn't discussed, give your vet a call.

Good luck. I hope this helps.

Thanks for writing,
Dr. Neely