I'm going crazy!!!!!

by Caroline
(Portland Maine)

I have 6 cats in my house that I've taken in from the local shelter - Whiskers (m), Ephron (m), Winkin (f), Blinkin (f), Banana (m) and The Situation (m).

Banana is very aggressive. He doesn't like to be held. He doesn't like to snuggle. He will bite to get away from people. He constantly picks fights with other cats. All this, I can deal with. However, he can't get along with our female cats. If he sees them downstairs, he will chase them upstairs. They spend 90% of their day in our bedroom. We don't exactly help things because we keep two litter boxes in there, as well as the dry food/water station.

So when the girls come down, they see Banana and instantly start hissing and growling at him, and that only provokes him to chase them. He doesn't jump on them, but he gets close enough where they swipe at him.

So now this has become a fun game for him. I try not to lose my temper, but at 4am, it is hard to use cool tones.

I've tried squirting him with water, locking him up, the spirit essences...and I don't know what else to do. I'm not sure if I should just leave it and come to terms with the fact that they just won't get along.

He is a very sweet boy when he wants to be. He is a member of our family, so I'd like him to be able to fit in and be happy.

RESPONSE:

It is likely that he has "fit in" as much as he is going to. He is just not the friendly, cuddly type. We always suggest increasing play time as a tired cat is a happy cat! Also, setting up seperate litter box and food station areas will help. As to the Spirit Essence, etc. not working, you may have been using the wrong one. Also, we have had better luck with the Bach Flowers. We use Vine and Holly with the bully cats as we have had the best luck with them but it took several different ones before we hit on the combo that worked. Increase play, add additional litter boxes and food/water areas, use Bach Flowers in the water and on him directly and see if this helps a little. Also, when the hissing starts, pull out a toy and start swing it. Distraction will also help. Give it some time, try some of the suggestions, and see if things don't improve. There will likely always be some contention in the household but hopefully, things will get calmer.

Donna, House Full Cats Mom