One of my two cats is attacking the other

Question
QUESTION: Last April after losing my dog to ill health, I decided to get a cat for company.  After two weeks I felt that she could do with some company and so adopted another cat so that there was only a couple of weeks between them and they were very close in age.  In the past 2 months the cat that I got secondly has been attacking the cat that I first got, to the point of cutting her nose across the bridge and now biting her right by her ear in front of it but to the point of there being 4 fairly big scabs there.  My first cat is now becoming very timid and has gone from affectionate to scared and it is heartbreaking to watch.  I dont want to have to rehome my second cat but this aggression cant carry on as it is having such a bad effect on my other cat.  I spoke to the charity who initially told me to get another cat for company and they cant rehome her as it is kitten season and they have no room.  No relatives or friends can have her and I dont know what to do as we have a large town house and have tried everything.  Please advise me as I dont know what to do.


dog crate   ANSWER: Anne,

First of all, are both cats spayed? If not, that can be alot of the problem. There are personality clashes in cats just like there are with humans. Your first cat is you main responsibility. I would continue to contact shelters and at a last resort you may want to let the 2nd cat be an outside cat.

Or you can get a large dog crate (pictured) and switch when cats are loose.

Tabbi

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

QUESTION: Hi Tabbi

Thanks so much for your swift answer.  To answer your question, yes both of my cats are spayed and this is why I find it so hard to understand the aggression as I was told that spaying does dramatically reduce agression in cats living in the same household.

Unfortunately,  I have contacted untold shelters and all have no room for millie (my second cat) but was unaware I  could let her be an outside cat.  

Can you please explain this to me more.  Does it mean that she stays outside but that I still feed her etc etc as could not bear the thought of just putting her out and forgetting about her but my husband and children are getting quite distressed about the abrasions, scabs etc that safyre is suffering and as she was the first cat we had, as you have said in your reply, she is our first priority.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Anne


Answer
Anne,

Spaying does reduce aggression, but only that caused by 'raging hormones' or heat-related or hormone-related behavior.

Did you do the correct introduction process at the beginning? If not, that could be causing your problems. You can not just put 2 cats together and expect them to get along. The getting acquainted period can be from 2 weeks to 2 months. Doing a complete re-introduction is worth a try. It may take a while longer because of the negative first impressions, but it may work out if you are patient and do it correctly.

Here is are some links to a good articles on introductions that should give you some guidance:
(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

If you think the first cat is stressed I would get what is called Feliway. It is a spray and you also get plug-ins. Try PetSmart, a vet, or on-line. It is popular 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 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

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.

I would also keep a rolled up newspaper handy and 'bop' the aggressive cat with it, saying "No Fighting!" loudly when she starts getting aggressive to let her know that you won't accept that kind of behavior from her. Wait a few minutes then pet her. You want her afraid of the noise of the rolled up newspaper, but NOT afraid of YOU! Cats go by association and you want her to associate the rolled up newspaper, and getting 'bopped' with it, with her aggression towards your first cat. Repeat until she connects the two and hopefully will behave herself.

Cats DO love to go outside. If you want to let the cat out, let her go exploring BEFORE she is fed. Hunger keeps a cat close to home. I would hold her and walk around the garden/outside area/patio a few times without letting her down, letting her look around. Next I would take her out and set her down, but sit with her and let her explore. It will make her feel secure knowing you are there. Do that 2 or 3 times for short periods. Leave the door cracked open and let the cat venture out as she feels comfortable. Leaving the door cracked open gives the cat a chance to run back in to safety if there is something 'scary' out there. A cat needs to put her scent around the area so she knows that is where home is. (Even inside cats should be allowed to do that periodically in case they do sneak out). She will do that by rubbing on things. Cats have good radar about where they live. If she is a hunter type cat and was used to being outside previously then she WILL be aggressive and unhappy being locked inside. Put her food, water,  and a blanket on the porch or patio. See how she reacts to going outside. It may actually improve her temperament!

There is another last resort. The vet can put the 2nd kitty on 'kitty Prozac' for short term. It is commonly used for aggressive cats to calm them. You may want to speak to the vet about it.

AND there is a final resort. If nothing is helping you DO need to re-home the cat somewhere. It's not fair to the first kitty to have to live in fear and to be stressed about the 2nd cat. Stress can cause permanent personality changes, emotional problems, behavior problems like improper elimination, and/or health issues. You may have to lie to do it, which I normally would never suggest, but what 'mother' won't lie to protect her children? *smile* Is there an animal control or SPCA in your area? Or in the next bigger city? Take the 2nd cat in a carrier to them and say that you found the cat in a parking lot (know where!), you were scared it would get run over, and you have dogs and can't take the cat home and you didn't know what to do with it.

I hope this gives you some options and ideas to think about. I know it's miserable for everyone to have cats that don't get along.

Tabbi