Intercat problems

Question
Tabbi,

My husband and I adopted two female cats about three months ago.  One cat (Gracie) is about 8 years old and the other (Honey) is about 1 1/2 - 2 years old.  When we first got them we had many problems with fighting and the older cat chasing the younger one.  We kep them separated as much as we could, but the older cat would literally jump against the door and scratch the carpetting/door when she was locked up plus yowling that never ended!  We have gotten to the point where they are both out for the most part, but we still lock one up when we go out for an extended period of time because we just don't know what they will do to one another.  I have put them both on flower essences (we bought Ultimate Peacemaker - Bully Remedy for the older one, Self-Esteem for the younger, and Peacemaker for both).  When the older one chases or sometimes comes too close to the younger one, the younger (Honey) will hide behind a curtain, which only makes the older (Gracie) want to go after her more.  When they were fighting badly, Honey would spray during the confrontation.  Now it has become just Gracie chasing Honey, but Honey is now growling at Gracie if she even comes near her.  I don't mean to make it all sound bad - sometimes they will lay within sight of one another, but always with one eye open, so to speak.  I'm not sure we are doing the right things with these two.  If they get into any kind of confrontation, we take one of them upstairs and lock them up for a while.  We always lock one up at night when we go to bed.  I have read differing things about how to handle this - some say separate when there is a problem, others say let them work it out.  I'm not sure if we keep separating them they will ever work it out, becasue they won't know who won or who is the dominant cat.  But I'm afraid if we let them work it out, one of them will get hurt.  Help!!!  What should we be doing with these two that we haven't already tried?  They have both been checked out by the vet, and there are no medical problems.  Gracie is from a home where she was an only cat, but we don't know Honey's history.

Answer
Christina,

It is good that you adopted 2 cats. USUALLY that works out well because they are company and comfort for each other. The problem I see with your new cats is the age difference. Ideally when you get two cats they should be close in age and temperment.

Honey is about 20 years old in human years and Gracie is about 48 years old. Older cats usually do not like new young cats. Maybe because of their smell or their energy level. It stresses them and older cats do not take stress as well as a younger cat. It can cause a permanent behavior change and bring on health problems.

Gracie was in a single cat household for 8 years then suddenly she is in a shelter (I'm presuming that is where you got her from)  with lots of other cats, then she gets adopted (bless you for choosing an older cat!), has an unfamilar home with unfamilar people, AND the home has another cat in it which she is unused to living with. All this leads to major stress, confusion, and probably she is suffering some  separation anxiety (from her previous home and everything she knew).

Since cats do not have reasoning abilities some of Gracie's  aggression may be directed at Honey because she sees Honey as the cause of her stress.

Then you have Honey, who is young and can look forward to a loving family and happy home, who is suddenly thrown with a cat who she may not like and who doesn't like her, along with all the new and strange environment she needs to get used to. That can change her basic personality, and not to the good!

There is a complete introduction process that you need to go through when you have new cats. It doesn't sound like you did that. It can take up to 2 weeks to a month or more with young cats.
With older cats it takes even longer. And when there are problems in the beginning then it is going to take even longer!

It is too late for this information, but I am including it for possible future reference:

When you get a new cat(s) they need to be kept in one room with food, water, and litter for a few days. Each cat needs to be in separate room (UNLESS they are littermates, or both young cats. Then being together is comfortating to them, and they can learn together and from each other). 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 them 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 of a new cat until each 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.

Christina, what you need to do now is completely start the introduction process from the beginning, just like they never have met. It may take a while since there has been negative experiences between them. It SHOULD work out between them with a lot of love, patience, and time. They may never like each other, but you can hope for acceptance. There are times though that two cats will not ever get along no matter how hard you try, but that is rare.

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...


Also here is an excellent article on intercat conflicts that you may find helpful and informative:
http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20problems/cats/unsociable.html

You can try the introduction process OR you can re-home Honey (or vice-vera) and let Gracie be a single cat again. At her age that might be best. It would restore harmony to your home and both cats probably would be happier. But that choice is strictly up to you.

There is a calming product that you can add to the cat's 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: http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm

For the cat's stress you can get what is called Feliway (or Comfort Zone with Feliway). It is a spray (or you can get plug-in diffusers). Try PetSmart/Petco, etc., a vet's office (they use it too), or on-line. It is very popular and is good for calming cats and reducing stress. It copies the relaxing pheromones that cats produce from rubbing their faces on things.

Another option is to talk to your vet about getting a prescription for "kitty Prozac". It is commonly used for cats with stress and emotional problems to calm them. For some cats a short term therapy works (about 2 weeks), and others need it for a long period of time.

TIPS: Feed both cats yummy cat treats (like tuna or pieces of raw steak) TOGETHER. That is sothey will associate each other with something pleasant.

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 hope I answered your question(s) and that I didn't give you too much information to confuse you. I hope everything works out.

Tabbi