Sophie & Otis

Question
QUESTION: I have had Sophie, a tabby, for 2 1/2 years.  I am full time employed and often work extra hours.  To help Sophie's life be more "exciting" I decided to bring a second cat into my home in hopes they would become friends.  For over 6 weeks things went well although he, Otis, wanted to play with Sophie and Sophie really preferred to be left alone.  Otis is a four year old Blue Point Siamese cat with a very loving and playful personality.  Sophie is a bit more stand-off-ish.  She will jump on your lap but she decides when!  Two weeks ago Sophie retreated to the space under my bed and there she has remained.  I was concerned and took her to the vet only to discover that she had lost a pound.  The vet was concerned so checked her blood - no problems.  I purchased a diffuser and placed it in the room with Sophie and have blocked her off in two rooms with access to food and a litter box.  Every time I open the room and Otis enters, Sophie begins to growl and hiss and spit.  Sophie is eating and is using the litter box which are good signs.  But I am concerned that she may spend the rest of her life under the bed if something doesn't change.  My question - should I find Otis a new home?  Or maybe try respite for him for a couple of weeks to see what happens?  I feel really bad about the situation as he is a very loving cat but I feel responsibility to Sophie as the "first" resident cat in my home.  I would like to see if there are other options?  I want them to be happy and enjoy each other especially since I am gone a good bit of the time.  Do you think this will ever happen or do I need to take steps to separate them permanently?

ANSWER: Karen,

The most important thing about introductions is to go SLOWLY! Do not try to rush it or force them together or you WILL end up with behavior problems. I am including some excellent links to articles on how to do the introductions properly. They should be helpful as a guide, though it may not all pertain to your situation now:
(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

It sounds like there are now 2 cats that are alone all day! If Sophie doesn't try to demand all of your attention when you come home because she was lonely all day, then she may be one of those cats who are content being an only cat. It's not fair to the new cat either who does seem to want company and to be friends.

BUT...it may not be as bad as it seems. Sophie may just be pouting  and 'punishing' you for bringing an intruder into 'her' territory. There is probably some jealousy involved also. Sophie's behavior may be partly for show too. When you are not home they may get along, or Sophie may at least tolerate the new cat. I had an older cat that would hiss and slap any of my other cats that got to close to him. One day I came home and he didn't hear me. When I went in the bedroom there he was curled up with another one of my cats! When he heard me, he jumped up and started growling and slapping at the other cat and ran out of the bedroom. What a phoney!

I wouldn't lock her up. She may feel that she is being punished and will resent the new cat more because she will blame him for it. Let them stay loose when you go somewhere for a short period...like to the store, etc....and see how they are when you come home.

Sophie doesn't really sound like she is traumatized by him, it sounds more like she has an attitude about the situation. If that is the case, then she should get over it when she finds out that he isn't going anywhere, and that you don't like him better than her (smile). Personally, I would let her stay under the bed as long as she wants. When she is ready, and over her 'mad' then she will come out and stay out. If the new cat seriously bothered her and upset her, she would be having 'accidents' on the floor or your bed, or other behavior problems to let you know how she feels.

Growling, slaps, and hisses are nothing to worry about. They are just "kitty communication". That is the way Sophie tells the new cat to keep his distance, what the rules of "his house" are, etc. When to be concerned is when there are ears pinned back, blood being shed, or major fur flying.

Once the cats can be together without being aggressive, or freaking out, feed the cats yummy cat treats periodically (like tuna, sardines (in oil) or pieces of raw steak, etc.) TOGETHER. That is so the cats will associate each other with something pleasant. Also getting a pet laser light (at PetSmart, Petco, etc.) is great for interaction between the cats. They can chase the 'little red bug' on the floor, ceilings, and walls, and they tend to forget about the other cats as they focus on the 'bug' which helps them get used to each other.

I hope this helps to help you make the right decision regarding the new cat.

Tabbi







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

QUESTION: I have been able to spend some quality time with Sophie if I gently drag her out from under the bed. Her ears are always pinned back for awhile and she is very rigid.  Yesterday, however, I did get her to purr!  But last evening she went right back to being rigid.  I did leave the two with access to each other on Saturday and Sophie did use the floor under the bed as a litter box - thank God she didn't pee but I am concerned she may start that.  It was just a bm - easy cleanup.  So, now I am concerned about leaving doors open. If Sophie is trying to punish me - it's working!  I hope that she gets over this "mad" real soon.  We are returning to the vet next week for a weight check to make sure she has not lost more.  I am going to keep Otis and keep trying to make it work - he is too nice of a cat to put him through the trauma of another move.

Answer
Karen,

With a lot of love, time, and patience it should work out, but it may take a couple of months or more. Sometimes in rare cases it will never work out, but since there is not any major fur-flying cat fights, it should. Sophie may never like Otis or be friends, but when she understands that he is here to stay, hopefully she will at least accept him. Cats go by routine and habit and because Otis has changed hers, she needs to adapt to ones which will take awhile.

You may want to try Bach's Rescue Remedy. People swear it works. You can get it at a health food store (people use it too), or online.
Bach's Rescue Remedy can be given in the water during any time of stress. You can use up to ten drops every time the water is changed depending on the level the cat is stressed. If your cat does not like the taste (though the alcohol content is almost negligible after dilution), you can rub one or two drops behind the cat's ear. The remedy can be given by mouth, which is the most effective method. Only a few drops (4-8) are necessary, and need not be swallowed, but only must contact the mucous membranes (gums, tongue, lips). Be careful not to contaminate the dropper by touching it to the animal (if this occurs, rinse the dropper in very hot water before returning it to the bottle). You can also add a dropper full to the water dish, or a few drops on wet food (there is no effect of dilution). You can add a dropper full to a spray bottle filled with bottled spring water, and use it to spray a room, carrier, car, around litter boxes or plants, or other problem areas. You can even put a few drops in your hand and pat the animal on the head and around the ears with it--the head is very sensitive to energy and will absorb essences in this way.

For most behavioral problems, you can give 3 to 4 times a day for 2 to 4 weeks, or add a dropper full to their drinking water every day until no further signs of distress are present. There is no improper or wrong method of applying the Bach Remedies. It is truly not necessary to be precise in counting the number of drops in any of the dilution methods. You cannot overdose the Bach's Remedies, they are non-toxic and have no side effects. The Bach Flower remedies are nontoxic and will not adversely affect any other animals in the household. It is fine to put the remedy in a common water dish.

As a last resort there is kitty Prozac. It is commonly used for cats that are stressed or emotionally upset. Usually a two week dose is sufficient. You may want to speak to your vet about it.

I hope this additional information is helpful. Good luck with both cats. Time and patience!

Tabbi