Help

[ashleyweaver02]

I think this is the board I posted on about my dilemma between Shadow, resident cat, and our new cat Topper. I am frustrated. I have given them a few quick seconds of viewing time of seeing each other not getting too close. Before they both moved very slowly toward each other and SHadow only hissed when Topper got up too close. Today I opened the door from Toppers room wanting him to see Shadow from a distance and he charged him. I threw a blanket over him to keep him from hurting. I dont know was he excited or was he going to intentionally try to hurt him and I really didnt care to find out. I have been using the Flower Remedies to calm/soothe both cats. I have been using it about 1 week and it says to use it for at least 2 weeks. Am I doing anything wrong and would it be a really BAD idea to put Topper in a cage and let Shadow smell and sniff him? I know they would hiss back and forth but at least he would be safe??
Help??

[RedHedd]

How long has Topper been in the house? If it's been over a week, go ahead and try the new cat in a carrier and let the other cat sniff a bit - this is part of the introduction protocol. Guaranteed it won't be a long "visit" -- I think my two lasted about 30 seconds before the hissing and growling started at first, I increased their visit time each day and after about a week I let them visit without a carrier -- the carrier was too stressful for both of them anyway. Good luck! This is the hard part. It does get easier, but it takes time -- kitty time!

[ashleyweaver02]

Oh long story, Topper has been here about a month. He originally attacked Shadow and caused him a lot of pain. I have kept them separated once again for about 3 weeks, only seeing each other through glass (Shadow is partly outdoor kitty) and they would see each other and Shadow would hiss and the other cat would meow. Topper is VERY skiddish and any little sound scares him and I think that is part of the problem. But i have heard from 2 behaviorists that if you put one cat in the carrier and the other not it makes them both defensive (I only have one carrier). Shadow wont even go near the door where the other cat stays. I held him in my lap so that he could smell a little under the door (while he was hissing) and I could just hear him sigh so heavily, I am worried about the stress it is causing them. Any other ideas I havent thought of yet??

[musicmaker]

i think thats the way they do that at the zoos. they would introduce two animals slowly,putting them in cages,and slowly introduceing them. i think the thought is they smell eachother,but not see eachother,till they get use to eachothers smell.then introduce them slowly. i don't know much about animals,so talk to someone else to get another openion. maby put one in a room with the door shut to where they can only smell eachother. good luck. musicmaker

[PayItForward]

Ashley,

You need to seperate the cats now before they harm each other again and keep them seperate for several weeks maybe longer. One week appat is not long enough to forget the attack.


Read this thread, which you starte, with advice left for youhttp://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...threadid=34678

Here is a copy of my post
------------
Two weeks is such a short time, it can take cats up to 6 months to settle in properly.

I would seperate the cats now, placing the new cat in a spare room, to give them a break from each other.

They need to be introduced very very slowly and only under supervision. I wouldn't leave a new cat unsupervised with the established ones for at least a month maybe longer.

Best of luck with the feliway, I have heard good things about it.

Please bear in mind sometimes two cats won't get along together what ever you do, I consider the attack on Shadow as a very bad sign and how ever much you have bonded with Topper, Shadow was there first and deserves priority.

I hope things work out for you, I really do.

PS. We like photos of cats on this website. Hint Hint.

[PayItForward]

According to your week old post, you have only had the second cat two weeks (i.e.Three weeks now) and you also said that you kept them apart for one week.

Which is right ?

Mmmm

[ashleyweaver02]

I think I have had him about a month now. The first time around they had only been separated for about a week, that was at the same time of the attack. Now they have been separated for about 3 weeks. Make sense?