fosteraussie
08-11-2002, 08:21 PM
Help!
I took in a stray "temporarily" in early March. To this day, I cannot understand why he was abandoned (he had been outside for awhile and was extremely starved and beat up). This cat is a grey tabby, estaminated 2 yrs. old, nuetered, and very tame. He is affectionate and docile when held, but will lash out if afraid and will only sit next to you (as opposed to on your lap).
The problem?
My cat hates him! It has been months and she still thinks he is a punching bag. A little history on her: Amber is a three year old rescue. That is, she was abandoned as the runt from a feral litter and taken in by us at 1.5 pounds (approx. 4 weeks). She has been pampered and is the most affectionate cat I have ever had. Amber is spayed. She is intrigued by all animals EXCEPT cats. I mean, she never hisses unless another cat is present.
We also have an aussie (2 years old) who Amber adores. He and the grey cat have reached a tolerant understanding (Foster knows not to mess with him and does not dare enter his boundaries). The grey cat is not agressive. In fact, he is extremely submissive, but will fight if threatened. He is VERY tense around other animals, but a purring mush around humans he knows. At least, he has taken it upon himself to approach Foster and purr with him too (but it only works when he approaches Foster!). The grey cat's behavior lead me to believe he has been abused or got into some nasty battles when he was abandoned with other animals.
I have tried everything to get Amber and the grey cat to behave together. During the day and night, they are separated. If they are given more than the afternoon and evening together, a fight occurs 25% of the times. Sometimes, they sleep in the same area together. Sometimes not. After a few months, I have worked it out with them that they can share a litter box together and tolerate each other in the kitchen (the feeding room). They will eat in the same room. However, he knows better than to be in the bedroom on his own (without us) as it is her prime territory, and she knows that she is not allowed in the bathroom (even though she dashes in often to give him a wallop).
I did try a trick today with feeding. I placed the dishes about 5 inches apart with wet food. The porkers both dashed to the dishes and ignored each other. Amber even allowed the grey cat to sniff her ear for 1 sec.
Is it possible for these two to ever get along? Or am I blindly dreaming since it has been over 6 months? :confused:
Of course, I really do need to find him a home (BADLY) as I should not have him to begin with.
I took in a stray "temporarily" in early March. To this day, I cannot understand why he was abandoned (he had been outside for awhile and was extremely starved and beat up). This cat is a grey tabby, estaminated 2 yrs. old, nuetered, and very tame. He is affectionate and docile when held, but will lash out if afraid and will only sit next to you (as opposed to on your lap).
The problem?
My cat hates him! It has been months and she still thinks he is a punching bag. A little history on her: Amber is a three year old rescue. That is, she was abandoned as the runt from a feral litter and taken in by us at 1.5 pounds (approx. 4 weeks). She has been pampered and is the most affectionate cat I have ever had. Amber is spayed. She is intrigued by all animals EXCEPT cats. I mean, she never hisses unless another cat is present.
We also have an aussie (2 years old) who Amber adores. He and the grey cat have reached a tolerant understanding (Foster knows not to mess with him and does not dare enter his boundaries). The grey cat is not agressive. In fact, he is extremely submissive, but will fight if threatened. He is VERY tense around other animals, but a purring mush around humans he knows. At least, he has taken it upon himself to approach Foster and purr with him too (but it only works when he approaches Foster!). The grey cat's behavior lead me to believe he has been abused or got into some nasty battles when he was abandoned with other animals.
I have tried everything to get Amber and the grey cat to behave together. During the day and night, they are separated. If they are given more than the afternoon and evening together, a fight occurs 25% of the times. Sometimes, they sleep in the same area together. Sometimes not. After a few months, I have worked it out with them that they can share a litter box together and tolerate each other in the kitchen (the feeding room). They will eat in the same room. However, he knows better than to be in the bedroom on his own (without us) as it is her prime territory, and she knows that she is not allowed in the bathroom (even though she dashes in often to give him a wallop).
I did try a trick today with feeding. I placed the dishes about 5 inches apart with wet food. The porkers both dashed to the dishes and ignored each other. Amber even allowed the grey cat to sniff her ear for 1 sec.
Is it possible for these two to ever get along? Or am I blindly dreaming since it has been over 6 months? :confused:
Of course, I really do need to find him a home (BADLY) as I should not have him to begin with.