The Loner Cat

Question
QUESTION: We recently got a second cat. After careful introduction "by the book" and a period of about a month when they got along just fine, the older cat (about 2 years old) began relentlessly stalking and attacking the younger (she was about 7 months when she arrived). We've tried reintroducing them, again according to expert advice, and it's not going well. Reintroducing has included separation, treat reinforcement, herbal relaxants, Feliway room diffuser, leashes - everything that anyone recommends.

Experts seem to mention, in passing, things like your cats "are likely to get along if you do this" and also "some cats want to be the only cat."

So... what are the personality traits of the loner cat? Our older cat seems absolutely obsessed with getting rid of the younger cat, and I don't want to go through months of trying to repeat introducion strategies if it's all going to be in vain. And I would like both cats to be happy, even if it means letting go of a super-sweet kitty.

Thanks very much for any knowledge you may have.

ANSWER: Hi Vicki,

I just need a couple more things from you. What sex is your older (established cat). And how old exactly is your new female cat?

Thank you

Kelly

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Kelly's Q: What sex is your older (established cat).
Answer: She's a she.

Kelly's Q: And how old exactly is your new female cat?
New cat was a stray, so the vet estimates she's now almost 1 year old (was about 7 months when she showed up at our house).

Answer
Hello Vicki,

The first rule in a multi-cat household is to ensure that the cats are provided with their own faction within your house, this must include each cat having their own 'area' that is their 'safe place', somewhere they can retreat to if they wish to be alone. This area must have hiding places, a litter tray, food, water and toys. Providing this should immediately reduce any stress being caused due to competition relating to resources. This, if possible, should be extended into the outdoor territory also, by providing extra resting places, hiding places and latrines. As much as we feel our cats 'love' us, we are also a source of security and access to resources to them, and with another cat arriving, your cat may have developed this aggressive behaviour towards the newcomer as she feels this access may be threatened.

Increasing access to space within your cats environment is very important, a cats main means of controlling interaction between themselves and other cats is to maintain distance from them. Your established cat may be finding it hard to feel safe because she is always forced to be in closer proximity to the new cat than she feels comfortable with. This in-turn will create the aggressive behaviour because most of the time she may not have the opportunity for escape or avoidance (a cats first choice of dealing with a stressful situation) and therfore uses the last option, which is aggression.

This is why it is vital to give her her own area, with good access routes to resources (including outside) where she runs little risk if possible of this always ending in her meeting your new cat when travelling to these resources.

Without actually witnessing how your two cats interact, watching their body language and situations that lead to these shows of aggression it is always difficult to give a definitive answer to why this is happening. This could also be a case of re-directed aggression, although the fact that you have 'by the book' re-introduced them and you are still having the problem suggests this may not be the case. This could also of course be something as simple as innapropriate predatory or play behaviour. If this is the case, simply re-direct your cat onto a toy or other aproppriate object when this occurs. One thing I would suggest is that unless there is real fur flying! do not try and intervene and break the fight up, instead when you see your older cat show the signs of stalking then immediatly re-direct her onto a toy or get her attention by offering a food treat. I would also remove any vantage points where your older cat may lay in wait for the younger one, as she may do this to stop the younger one gaining passage to any resources. It seems that your cat may just be trying to create more distance between her and the newcomer by 'herding' her into a smaller area, thus giving your established cat more space and claim over resources.


I am led to beleive that this is more likely being caused by space and resource issues.

There is no 'personality traits' of a loner cat. Every cat will have his or her own individual personality. It is also true to say that two cats can get along very well for a number of years and then develop these types of behaviours for many reasons. It is also important to say that a single cat may never 'take' to another particular cat for reasons unknown, but may develop a harmonious relationship with a completely different individual. If this is the case then we must accept that the relationship will just not work and intervention must happen to reduce further stress to your established cat.

I do hope this has helped you a little and good luck

Thank you

kelly