lorna
Newbie
Posts: 8 
Pets I own: 4 beautiful cats, 3 of them rescue cats from Cats Protection. Merlin is 5, Woody is 4, Venus is 7 and our baby Jasmine is a year and a half.
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Post by lorna on Jul 4, 2013 12:11:15 GMT
hi all
Some advice please..
I adopted another cat last week - that makes 4 now. She is a year and a half old, and a confident wee soul, as well as being very kitten like. She is upsetting my 3 other cats (ages 4, 5 and 7) much more than I anticipated (I have had many cats over the years and this is the first time I have really had problems introducing a new cat into the family). I am obviously hoping things settle down soon, but I am feeling so guilty for upsetting my 3 existing cats (my 7 year old, another female, is particularly upset). I have been careful with the introductions, and giving all cats lots of attention, etc, but she is still chasing the older cats, invoking lots of hissing etc. In your experience do you think things will settle down over time? (I know its early days - we have only had her a week)
any advice gratefully received..
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Post by tonib on Jul 4, 2013 13:59:45 GMT
We had the same sort of issues when we introduced our 4th cat into the mix February 2012. She was aged just short of 3 & the others were nearly 13, 7 & nearly 6. Her main problem was that she wanted to play & her play style is predatory. Our others were not a social group & very independent. They would play with their catnip toys and some dangler toys on occasion.
It got so bad that we got the behavourist in around November (we were getting spray/bed wetting - won't mention how many times we took a duvet to the laundrette. We finally got through that problem this year & (touch wood) haven't had any more washing to do. Don't know if this had anything to do with it but we nut some PVC fabric under the throw that was on the bed she mainly wet & it stopped after one more time.
We also have used Kalm-Aid & Zylkene in her food. We've now stopped the KalmAid & we'll see about stopping the Zylkene later this year after they've been to a cattery while we're on holiday. Lexie hasn't had any problems in the cattery but she can get stressed so will wait until afterwards.
Lexie now chases our, slightly arthritic, oldest (Penny) but Penny has learnt to run & then turn when she feels safe (or cornered) & really look fierce - Lexie stops immediately & is very wary. On the odd occasion Penny will charge Lexie & Lexie runs away. She's now giving Penny a wide berth on most occasions.
Lexie also has issue with certain foods - a sensitive stomach - so we have to watch what she eats. As a result our cats (who are grazers) have to have their food removed if they have anything she can't have. Shes also a gannet & Penny has meds in her moist so we have to make sure that no one else get it. We've solved the main meal times as Lexie has hers shut in a spare room & sleeps there overnight so that the other 3 have some peace.
Lexie still pesters Roman - as she wants to play with him - and when he moves she chases him. He used to smack her down if she got too much but these days he's more likely to move away, which she'll chase but if he stops & looks at her she stops. Sadly she will try & take advantage if he's laid down but only occasionally. Both females are quite a bit smaller than our 2 males.
Our 4th cat Osiris is no longer hiding but still doesn't like her. I think the main reason is that he has to rely on us to put his food out at times other than meal times & her really is a grazer - if only he'd eat dried but it has to be moist which Lexie sees as a treat! Luckily I'm retired so can cope with this.
Basically what I'm saying is that it's taken quite a time but things have improved, but I don't think they will ever get on until Lexie is a bit older & calmer but we've found ways to cope although not ideal. Ours go out so they do have an opportunity to avoid Lexie (well except Penny who chooses to stay in)
Due to Lexie's style of play we were advised to play with her for only 5 minutes at a time & not to try & play with them all together.. Also to try some of the more intelligence testing feeders (Trixie) have some but to be honest she got bored with them, especially as there was other food around. There were other tips like playing with laser toys but making sure that there was a reward where the light finally stopped.
It sounds like your cat is still young & playful & as you say it is only a week. Hopefully things will settle down but it can take time.
I haven't been over helpful but maybe some of the things we've done will help.
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Post by lotsofcats on Jul 4, 2013 14:06:00 GMT
Hi - things will settle down in time. I have 7 cats and I have experienced the opposite to you - I have always had problems introducing a new cat to the other cats and have put up with a lot of hissing and showing off - for weeks when I first introduced a Maine Coon kitten to cats number 1 and 2 - my older Maine Coon was evil!!!. I can understand you feeling guilty for upsetting them all, I remember sitting down and thinking "what have I done?"
When I introduce a new cat I have a large cat cage that I let them sleep in for a while so that the other cats have their own space. I think your new cat is very confident and they find this a bit overpowering. The others will come round in time. Try giving them all some treats while they are all together and try getting them all to play together. Good luck and let us know how things go.
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