getting 2 cats to get along

Question
Hello, so I have had a Siamese cat for a few years now. He
is a very head strong cat is rules the house. A few years
ago I got a bengal cat, but had moved out of my parents
house where the Siamese cat stayed. However, I just moved
back and have a big problem. THe Bengal cat i adopted hates
all other animals, especially cats and dogs. He hisses and
growls, however, he is declawed so once the fights start, he
does not finish them. We have been having a really hard time
getting the Siamese and the Bengal to get along, mainly
because the bengal will hiss and growl and then turn his
back, which makes the Siamese immediately attack. We have
been keeping the seperated, and occasionally letting the see  
each other if we are standing right there to break up the
inevitable fight. I was wondering if you could tell me
anything that we can do to get them to get along better.

Answer
Hi Leslye.  You can try using a product called Feliway.  I use the plug-in diffusers in my home at all times.  I find it helps reduce aggression, and it's also a good tool to use during introductions.  If the spats are being caused by anxiety, then this may help ease some of that.  You can learn more about how it works at www.feliway.com, and buy Feliway at pet stores, through some veterinarians and all over the internet.

But it sounds like you have a very complex situation.  You have one kitty who has his claws and another kitty whose first line of defense is missing.  You also have two breeds that, in my personal experience, could end up being a little bit of a mismatch in some cases.  Some Bengals tend to be a little timid, while most Siamese and very outgoing and even domineering.  Both breeds generally get along well with other animals if raised with other pets, but since your Bengal has a history of not liking other cats, it could be in your best interest to work with an animal behaviorist on this one.  

Until then, very short doses are the key.  Slow desensitization should eventually help them to tolerate one another.  If you have any way of separating the two so they can see each other but not reach each other, that may help.  A glass door or screen door is ideal if you have a screened-in porch, or you could use a dog crate.  Feeding them at the same time on either side of the door (or one inside the crate and one outside) may give them something positive to associate with each other.