Will they ever get along?

[Medusa]

I might suggest to you that you give Clomicalm a try. It may seem like I just want to medicate the problem away since I told someone to try this for cats who spray. But it's for behavior problems, I noticed results immediately. (Specs bullies Boo plus he sprays, too.) and there have been no side effects. He takes 1/4 tablet (5 mg.) before bed and it keeps him calm. No more catfights. No more spraying. Why not ask your vet about it?

Blessings,
Mary

[catland]

Sadly, the answer might finally be "no".

There were a couple of times we were ready to re-home Strauss because of the way that he and Sid couldn't adjust to each other. Unfortunately, Sid dissapeared last November, so its a moot point now.

[Uabassoon]

What if before the attack, when there is no hissing or growling,

The problem is that there is no point before the attack. The second they see each other the growling begins, it's instant.

How were these two integrated in the first place?
How long was it and what do you remember about it?

They shared the house for a few weeks before actually meeting each other. They were set up like they are now, during the day Tuna and Pocky get run of the house and then in the evening Corkscrew and Tibby get run of the house. They had shared the same cat trees, litterbox and water dish so we figured they would be ok.

We let them meet and as soon as Corsckrew saw Tuna they started growling. At that time Corkscrew was the aggressor, Tuna just wanted to sniff Corkscrew but Corkscrew went for an all out attack. That was when Alexa was bitten and had to go on antiboitics.

Every run in since then has been lots of fur flying and many times bloodshed. Tuna can sometimes be distracted by treats but Corkscrew will not give up. I've tried spaying him with a water bottle and he won't even flinch. He'll just stay there growling at Tuna allowing himself to get soaked.

[Uabassoon]

I might suggest to you that you give Clomicalm a try. It may seem like I just want to medicate the problem away since I told someone to try this for cats who spray. But it's for behavior problems, I noticed results immediately. (Specs bullies Boo plus he sprays, too.) and there have been no side effects. He takes 1/4 tablet (5 mg.) before bed and it keeps him calm. No more catfights. No more spraying. Why not ask your vet about it?

Blessings,
Mary

Alexa and I have talked about medicine but we are worried about how it will change their behavior. We both love Corkscrew and Tuna's personality, they do have a lot of personality! but that's what we love about them. Tuna though has been spraying the door to my bedroom when Corkscrew is in there. I haven't noticed and spraying from Corkscrew at all just Tuna. I'll talk to Alexa and see what she thinks. I know that she's been against it when I've suggest medicating them. Mainly Tuna because of his spraying issue.

Can they be weaned off this medicine? Or do they need it forever? I don't want to have to medicate them forever.

[Medusa]

I felt just the way you do. I did not want to medicate my cats; I was sure I could figure something else out. The fighting was bad enough but the spraying continued to get worse until I couldn't take any more. Specs shows no signs whatsoever of a personality change. He's still a little punk. LOL But he doesn't pick on Boo any more. He's calm but not out of it. His coordination is fine, his appetite, everything. Just check w/your vet, talk it over w/him and see what s/he says. And watch and observe your cat. You may have to play w/the dosage in the beginning like I did but I'm sure glad my vet suggested it.

[mruffruff]

I think Shai's Mom has a good idea: Contact Nancy Efrusy. She just did a reading on one of my cats-----Boy did I learn a lot! The cat was peeing inappropriately and acted scared of me. Now she pees in the litter box and sleeps on my lap.

It's worth trying. Certainly better than rehoming or living with two enemies.

[rosethecopycat]

Try Rescue Remedy in their water.

Do they do a lot of sniffing of where each other have been (are they scent oriented or sight oriented?) If they are 'sniffers' try the vanilla on the base of their tails. It confuses the scent.


Sounds like they were isolated from eachother fine.

The problem is that they have a 'bad mental photo' of each other.
This is hard to change. The water bottle will only treat the symptom, it won't find a cure.

If you don't think that a re-integration would work,
You might try crating one in a large pen, in the middle of the room. Let them acclimatize while they can't really get at each other. Then switch who is in the pen.

Sounds like Corkscrew is the one with the problem, but Tuna in the pen, and let Corkscrew inspect him.

You know, rehoming might be the happiest solution sometimes.
I had a foster here that could NOT be integrated. It would never have worked. I imagined him being mine and how I'd handle it, and most of all I wanted him to be happy, even if not with me.



Wishing you luck.

[Uabassoon]

I think we might end up talking to our vet about medication. Like you Medusa, the fighting is one thing but Tuna's spraying is getting to be a bit much.

rosethecopycat I do like the cage idea. We have a wire dog crate that we could try this with. I've tried rescue remedy in the water and I didn't notice any change. As for rehoming I just don't see it happening. The problem is that I've had Corkscrew longer than I've known Alexa, and Alexa has had Tuna since long before we ever moved in together. Trying to decide who has to give up their cat just wouldn't be fair to either of us. However if they have to be seperated forever then that is what will happen. They seem to be content and don't mind spending part of the day in the bedroom, it's just when one of them escapes that it becomes a problem. I do admit that life would be a bit easier if they could get along, but if not then we will deal with it.

[rosethecopycat]

I didn't know that Tuna wasn't yours.