OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other needed.

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Sev

Sev

Member Since 2011
Several weeks ago we took in another male cat.
We believe he is a litter mate to Silky. The 2 cats are almost identical in every way. The only difference is that Silky has white toes on his rear paws and white claws.
Where as Shadows toes are black and his claws are a spotted brown.

Shadow bit me about a month ago so I had to quarantine him for rabies purposes. Glad to say no problems. :)

I have since brought him to the vets. Had a fecal test done as well as feline HIV an Leukemia. All negative. He was neutered about 2 weeks ago.
He is currently residing one of the bedrooms. He escaped yesterday through a window but came back. So I believe he is here for the long haul.
3 hots and cot is hard to beat at chateau Sev.

It appears that the only cat Silky has been fighting with since we took him in a year ago is Shadow.
It also appears that Silky may be the dominate male.
When I had Shadow crated outside Silky could interact with him. It wasnt to bad.
Inside the house appears to be a different matter.

I talked to the vet and they recommended Feliaway to keep the cats calm.

Has anybody any recommendations and experience based on their own rescues and such?
I really would like to avoid just allowing them to battle it out.

Thanks guys.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Confine the newcomer in a room and then slow introduction. At first only short out and then longer times. Until they get along only supervised being together.
I found that Feliway really did not work but generic prozac did.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Larry and Kitties said:
Confine the newcomer in a room and then slow introduction. At first only short out and then longer times. Until they get along only supervised being together.
I found that Feliway really did not work but generic prozac did.
Click to expand...

Prozac on a cat?
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Hi,

Yes, keeping the new cat in a separate space initially is a big help. The cats have time to get used to the scent of each other.

Bertie was the most problematic cat I've ever introduced. He was a big cat and quite a bully to the others. (He came to us and was neutered as a sexually mature male, and it took a heck of a time for that testosterone to get out of his system!)

Initially, I kept Bertie in a separate room with a glass door, so the cats could see each other, and sniff each others' scents under the door. And I only let Bert into the room with the others if he was supervised. In fact, I put a collar and lead on him and took him for walks around the house like that. And if he tried to go for one of the other cats, well, he couldn't get very far!

I also brushed the cats with the same brush so that they got the scents of each other on their fur, and they associated that new scent with a pleasurable activity.

And I found that it was quite good to get them together for mealtimes: While they were all eating they couldn't be thinking about fighting, and it gave them the chance to spend time in close proximity to each other.

When I've introduced kittens or younger cats to the household, I've found it important that they had their own places to sleep or hide in, away from the other cats.

Someone once told me that you shouldn't show affection to the new cat in front of the other cats until the other cats have accepted the newcomer, because that can cause jealousy.

I'm sure the new cat will settle in really soon.

Congrats on the new addition to your household. :smile:
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Elizabeth and Bertie said:
Hi,

Yes, keeping the new cat in a separate space initially is a big help. The cats have time to get used to the scent of each other.

Bertie was the most problematic cat I've ever introduced. He was a big cat and quite a bully to the others. (He came to us and was neutered as a sexually mature male, and it took a heck of a time for that testosterone to get out of his system!)

Initially, I kept Bertie in a separate room with a glass door, so the cats could see each other, and sniff each others' scents under the door. And I only let Bert into the room with the others if he was supervised. In fact, I put a collar and lead on him and took him for walks around the house like that. And if he tried to go for one of the other cats, well, he couldn't get very far!

I also brushed the cats with the same brush so that they got the scents of each other on their fur, and they associated that new scent with a pleasurable activity.

And I found that it was quite good to get them together for mealtimes: While they were all eating they couldn't be thinking about fighting, and it gave them the chance to spend time in close proximity to each other.

When I've introduced kittens or younger cats to the household, I've found it important that they had their own places to sleep or hide in, away from the other cats.

Someone once told me that you shouldn't show affection to the new cat in front of the other cats until the other cats have accepted the newcomer, because that can cause jealousy.

I'm sure the new cat will settle in really soon.

Congrats on the new addition to your household. :smile:
Click to expand...

Thank you.

Silky is the smaller cat and by the body language of Shadow I believe Silky is the dominate male.
Silky also just sits there very calmly watching until he decides to make his move. Shadow gets twitchy and fluffy. Neither backs down though.

My plan is to set up 2 gates in the doorway so they can interact a bit. I have to watch Shadow as the last time Silky put his paw through the crate Shadow bit him and drew blood.

Eventually he will be allowed to go back outside. I have 2 cat doors installed.
The vet trimmed Shadows claws. I didnt want them to but its probably a good thing as doing so may be saving my hide.
So until they grow back he has to stay inside.

On the last I have been petting each in front of the other to calm them. Perhaps a bad idea?
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Sev said:
On the last, I have been petting each in front of the other to calm them. Perhaps a bad idea?
Click to expand...

No, not necessarily a bad idea. If you get the sense that there is no jealousy from the resident cat then this might actually work for you. It's only not a good idea if it seems likely to cause jealousy and resentment, but not all cats feel that way.

I'm wondering too whether - given that the cats may be related - they will have a similar 'family' smell, and come to accept each other quite quickly...? Fingers crossed :smile:

Eliz
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Elizabeth and Bertie said:
Sev said:
On the last, I have been petting each in front of the other to calm them. Perhaps a bad idea?
Click to expand...

No, not necessarily a bad idea. If you get the sense that there is no jealousy from the resident cat then this might actually work for you. It's only not a good idea if it seems likely to cause jealousy and resentment, but not all cats feel that way.

I'm wondering too whether - given that the cats may be related - they will have a similar 'family' smell, and come to accept each other quite quickly...? Fingers crossed :smile:

Eliz
Click to expand...

Well Silky just wanted in to see his counter part.
They stood stood there and sniffed at each other and touched noses.
I could tell things were getting a little iffy so I pulled Silky out.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Let them get close together this morning.
I could pet both of them. Then then the yowling started.

This is Shadow in repose.

271f7a0c-e222-4f81-94d3-0e9fe9f2ea38_zps4a3b18ee.jpg
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Uhg.
Just had a cat fight and I got perforated.
Fur everywhere.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Maybe time for prozac.
You mean you got bitten trying to break up the fight?
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Larry and Kitties said:
Maybe time for prozac.
You mean you got bitten trying to break up the fight?
Click to expand...

Clawed.
Silky is actually the one that got me. latched on like he was on the side of a tree.
I had them broken up but I guess he was still excited. ohmygod_smile
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

My MurrFee did that to me twice after I adopted him. I was breaking up a fight between him and my civi Joey. A third time Joeny and MurFee was in a standoff and I went by and Murrfee just bit me. After months of close supervision I have not had any real problems with fightn. A little growling.
I did successfully use Prozac with my Smokey after he bit my Mitten and Bailey and sent them to the vet.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Larry and Kitties said:
My MurrFee did that to me twice after I adopted him. I was breaking up a fight between him and my civi Joey. A third time Joeny and MurFee was in a standoff and I went by and Murrfee just bit me. After months of close supervision I have not had any real problems with fightn. A little growling.
I did successfully use Prozac with my Smokey after he bit my Mitten and Bailey and sent them to the vet.
Click to expand...

At the moment I installed window sash I had to replace in the doorway and have a gate above it.
Shadow is pretty content in the room at the moment doesnt even try to jump over the wind when I leave the gate out.
They both look at each other through the glass.
I bought a spray bottle for when I bring them together again.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

I just came across Sentry Calm.
Seems to be the same as Feliway but less expensive.

I have not found any reviews on it.

Anybody have any info?
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Talked to the vet about Feliway.
He said he a better success rate spraying it his hand and then rubbing it on the cats than with the diffuser.

I just received a bottle of it the other day and with the Christmas clean up finished I am going to move forward.
They have been looking at each other through the window I installed in the doorway for several weeks now.
Shadow was neutered on Dec 2 so the testosterone should be out of his system.

The other day I brought them nose to nose while Shadow was laying in his window bed and held Silky.
They touched noses. Sniff sniff sniff.
Neither cat tensed up. I then put Silky out of the room.

So now I have my water bottle handy and Feliway on hand. Time for the next stage.

On anther note. Feliway has 10% of the pheromone.
Sentry only has 2%. Sentry is not 500% less in price.
Original Feliway is the better value by far.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Baby gates or a screen so they can smell each other is what I would do next.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

BJM said:
Baby gates or a screen so they can smell each other is what I would do next.
Click to expand...

I have them.
We had a paw biting earlier on. Silky was being curious and Shadow bit him.

I might just have to let them both loose together and have the fire hose ready.
Water is the cat equalizer. :-D
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

It takes 4 baby gates, staggered in the door opening, to completely block a door. I discovered this when Precious climbed over 3 shortly after arriving at my home! Her rcord climb over is about 3 minutes.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Is it getting any better? I adopter MurrFee last March. Right off the bat he would attack my Joey. I got bit once by MurrFee breaking it up. Now there is a only a little squabbling. They can even sleep touching one another. Now it seems to be better. That could have been doe to my patriarch male Lightning that passed away late December
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

BJM said:
It takes 4 baby gates, staggered in the door opening, to completely block a door. I discovered this when Precious climbed over 3 shortly after arriving at my home! Her rcord climb over is about 3 minutes.
Click to expand...

Neither one is attempting to climb over to get at each other.
The window at floor level may be a contributing factor.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Larry and Kitties said:
Is it getting any better? I adopter MurrFee last March. Right off the bat he would attack my Joey. I got bit once by MurrFee breaking it up. Now there is a only a little squabbling. They can even sleep touching one another. Now it seems to be better. That could have been doe to my patriarch male Lightning that passed away late December
Click to expand...

Shadow decided to hop out the other day when I was getting food.
Silky made is way over and things were looking good. They were sniffing each other. Then silky attacked.
I hosed them both with the spay bottle.

No damage done to either cat aside from a few tufts of fur.

Have not had the chance to use the Feli yet.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Hmmmmm.
Applied Feli today.

Neither cat appeared to like it. Perhaps to much? Sensory overload???? :shock:
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Just checking - The spray goes on inannimate objects, like corners of couches and walls, where cats mark.

The initial impact is strong due to the alcohol vapors. Once that dissapates, it isn't noticeable (at least to me)
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

BJM said:
Just checking - The spray goes on inannimate objects, like corners of couches and walls, where cats mark.

The initial impact is strong due to the alcohol vapors. Once that dissapates, it isn't noticeable (at least to me)
Click to expand...

I stopped using the Feli. Shadow ran from it. Didnt bother Silky.

As it stands now I still have the gate up in the bedroom doorway. Shadow comes and goes at will.
Silky will watch him and sometime chase Shadow back to the room. Silky however does not go over the gate. I guess he has sceded that territory to Shadow.

Also if both of them are sitting on either side of the gate they will sniff nose to nose with no aggression.

Its progressing slowly but so far positively.

Shadow has become quite affectionate. He will walk up may arm and lay across my shoulders while I am at the computer. Makes for tough typing. :-D
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

SUCCESS!!

The cats are now hogging the bed. ohmygod_smile :-D
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Oh nice! Your Valentine's day gift of love from the boys :smile:
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Now they are best buddies.
They scrap a little bit here and there but also sleep curled up around each other in a bed.
Had a 3rd cat show up recently but it seems to have moved on for now.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Usually time heal all wounds. Sounds like that happened for your cats
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Larry and Kitties said:
Usually time heal all wounds. Sounds like that happened for your cats
Click to expand...

They follow me around like a pair of dogs if I am out in the yard. :)
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

larry....curious, how did u get prozac for ur cat? i have 1 cat who doesnt get along with any1 else in the house. trying to rehome her to be an only cat. she has been this way for 5 yrs now. fights even her own sister. its very stressful. i do think maybe its mental issues. if we need to start a new thread, let me know. thanks! :)
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

I just had my vet write a prescription and I went to Target to get it filled. Fluoxetine Hcl ( generic Prozac) is one the $4 subscription list. Does was 1/2 or 10 mg pill once daily so it was only $2/month
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

My vet wanted baseline bloodwork before she would prescribe the Prozac. I forget which, but it can affect the liver or kidneys.

Follow-up bloodwork a month later was needed and she did not want the cat to stay on the Prozac any longer than needed, a few months at the most. More bloodwork at month 3 I think it was.

You have to gradually taper the dose before you take a cat completely off the Prozac.

In the meantime, while you're cat is on Prozac, you need to work on behavior modification to change the behavior issue.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

thanks. larry, what i meant was how did the vet determine he needed it? like what were the symptoms? i know sometimes they put animals on anti d's but never heard any1 explain why/how it was determined.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

Prozac can be helpful for obsessive-compulsive and aggressive behaviors.
 
Re: OT. Opions on Acclimating 2 male cats to each other need

My boys seem to be working out some territorial kinks on the the occasion.
The fur was flying yesterday.

Well at least they dont hold a grudge. They were both curled up around each other last night.
 
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