Suggestions to get new cats to mellow out

[CassAndGordy(GA)]

Hi all,

I moved into a house 3 weeks ago with my 2 pain in the butt cats. The owner of the house has a cat too, Mango, who is a small 8lb bengal. My cats are 17lbs (Gordy) and 13lbs (rex... who is fat right now.)

Rex adjusted fairly quickly, still has her moments, but we feel confident in leaving her alone with Mango.

Gordy not so much... he freaks out each time he sees her. I've been having to shut him in my room when we arent home and during the night. Its not fair to him (or me) and I really don't want to have to have a litterbox in my room. (Ugh.)

Both my cats have calming collars on and we've had a diffuser plugged in for like, 2 weeks. And while i can see small steps to progress, its still pretty bad. I have resorted to having to spray water in his face to diffuse tense situations. It works... but its not helping in the long run.

Anyone have any other ideas to help calm Gordy down? I am worried that if i dont find a fix here soon, I will have to move again.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

About the only thing you can do is start the process of reintroduction again and progress even more slowly.

Keep them in separate rooms where they can't see each other. Site swap often (take one cat out of the bedroom and put the other cat in) so they get used to each other's smells and the cat that's "usually" in the bedroom gets a chance to "claim" the rest of the house. Feed them on opposite sides of the door so they know the other cat is there, but can't get to it. After awhile (it can take weeks), you can put a barrier between them like a baby gate (it may take more than one to keep them from being able to jump it) so the cats can now see each other as well as smell and gradually keep moving the food closer to the barrier until they can eat in each others presence without one running or one attacking the other.

If you try to rush it, you end up back at the beginning when you're dealing with cats that just won't get along.

http://iheartcats.com/jackson-galaxys-6-steps-to-properly-introduce-cats/

 

[Djamila]

I second what @Chris & China said. I've introduced two semi-feral dominant cats in a 500 square foot condo. It took about three weeks, and required really sticking to the process, but now they are bonded and sleep cuddled up, clean each other, and freak out if they are separated for even a few minutes. That level of bonding doesn't always happen, but with a careful and slow introduction, they should be able to at least co-exist peacefully. The scent swapping is important. It can't always be Gordy locked in the room.. They need to take turns so both cats leave scent everywhere, and be switched out in a way that avoids contact for awhile. Keeping them calm and feeling safe will really help. And above all...patience. This takes awhile.

 

[JanetNJ]

In the same vein as the site swap, you can swap an item that has each others scent.... A towel, blanket, cat bed... And give treats or feed by the door where they can smell and hear each other so they developed positive associations. Good luck. I have 7 so have done a lot of this. 5 of them were strays/ferals. Lol. One outside stray took 5 MONTHS before she could be left alone with the others. Another hid for 3 months.

 

[CassAndGordy(GA)]

Maybe the treats will work... Mango only eats a few bites of food at a time and wanders, so eating meals opposite may not work.

Ill see if I can get her to wander around in my room some to put her scent in. I usually let him out when she is napping (or is already hiding).

I just purchased a ThunderShirt too. We'll see if it works... I got directly from them so if it doesnt, I can return. I've never put clothes on him so I don't know how he will react.