Angry cat retaliation

Question
I brought my 6 month old kitten to a house i am staying at that has two other
adult male cats.  The males cats were very patient with her, though
inquisitive, but did not react to her hissing and growling.  They were very
kind and while they watched her and were curious, they didn't physically
confront her.  She hissed and growled when I picked her up to comfort her,
but I wasn't afraid of her hurting me.  She calmed down, and was sweet, and
then went to sit in the window ledge, although she still growled at the other
cats when they came by.  I went over to pick her up and tell her it was okay,
and she went crazy!  She jumped up on the cat climber (owned by the cats of
the house) and I went to pet her and calm her down, and she attacked me,
swatting at my face and hissing, and she scratched my nose pretty bad.  I was
infuriated, and deeply hurt, and yelled and held her down so she couldn't
swat at me again, and sprayed her with the spray bottle and then put her in
the cat carrier to have some time to herself.  She continued to growl and his,
and looked very angry.  I don't know what to do!  I'm so worried that she will
have problems with me now, that we will not have the sweet affectionate
relationship we had before!  How am I supposed to handle this situation?  Will
she forget about it when she isn't in a stressed environment?  What should I
do when she is freaking out like that?

Answer
Stephanie,

You have to go through the introduction process slowly. It takes about 2 weeks or more to do it correctly and effectively. You can't rush it or you will have behavior problems that are going to be hard to correct.

When you get a new cat it needs to be kept in one room with food, water, and litter for a few days. That gives the cat a chance to get to know you, gain confidence and trust, and get acclimated to having a new home. Then you let it explore the home gradually, one room at the time. It is too overwhelming to have a whole big house at one time to be in. You can put the cat in a carrier  for short periods of time in a room that has the most traffic so it can get used to the normal people movements in the house and voices. Then as the cat is comfortable with the expanded area, let it go where it wants but still have the safety of it's 'safe' room to run back into. You should NOT add the introduction to the resident cat until the new cat feels secure and comfortable with you and the new home. Then you start the getting acquainted process. Otherwise there are too many new and confusing things going on, and too much to learn and accept all at once.

I am attaching a couple of links on how to go about the introduction process: (copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)

http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintro...

You can get what is called Feliway (or Comfort Zone with Feliway). It is a spray and you can get plug-ins (try PetSmart, a vet (they use it too), or on-line). It is very popular and is great for calming cats and reducing stress. It copies the relaxing pheromones that cats produce from rubbing their faces on things.

There is also a calming product that you can add to their food or water that reduces anxiety called Bach's Rescue Remedy. It is available on-line and in health food stores. Here is a link about it: (copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)
http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm

Once they can be together without fighting feed both cats yummy cat treats (like tuna or pieces of raw steak) TOGETHER. That is so the cats will associate each other with something pleasant.

Also getting a pet laser light (at PetSmart, etc.) is great for interaction between the two cats. They both can chase the 'little red bug' on the floor, ceilings, and walls, and they tend to forget about the other cat as they focus on the 'bug' which helps them get used to each other.

It just takes time, lots of love, and lots of patience. All will work out (eventually).

Carol