Cats cant get along...

by Ashley Jean E.
(Kansas CIty, MO)

Sorry this is long....

My husband and I have 3 cats. 2 boys (his before he moved in) and my little girl. We in the thru the door thing, swap them out to smell eachothers smells in rooms. everythign I read online for introducing.

And then we let the door be open and the oldest male cat was the first to some out of the bedroom to investigate. the female cat hissed, and he just ignored her. eventually to the point where she gave up and would just lay down and they both laid on the couch together.( still about 3 feet apart). The younger male cat never came out. The next day we did it again. the same thing happend, but finally the yougest male cat came out. when he approached the female cat, even with her hissing he didnt back out of her personal space. They ended up getting into a massive fight. So we seperated them.

About a month later we let the boys have the house and put the female cat in the bedroom. figured 2 cats in one room or 1 cat for the whole house not really fair. One day as I was leaving the bedroom the youngest male cat flew into the bedroom and attacked the female cat. This was another epic fight.

Since then we have moved, and she is still isolated in our bedroom. At the time the youngest male cat was not fixed he has been now for about a year and a half. They have now been separated for a little over 2 years. Is there any chance that they will get along? or would it be best to find a home for the female cat? I am her 3rd home because she doesnt seem to get along with other animals? And If I do need to find her a home, what is the best way to go about that. She is the sweetest most loving cat.

RESPONSE:

Try distracting them with play. Keep toys stashed about the house and when the hissing starts, pull out a toy and distract them from each other. When you open the door to let them out all together, have a toy and start playing. Play until they are tired then offer them treats. We have found this to work well at keeping the bullies from going after the more timid cats. Cats fight usually because they are scared and have a sort of "do unto others before they do unto me" attitude so they pick on each other for no apparent reason. Sometimes, we have just let them duke it out together and then they get over it. But try the playing first and see if it helps.

Donna - House Full Cats Mom