January 30, 2009

Dear Obie,

I am a new addition to a loving home with two other brother and sister cats already there. I am an adorable, very fluffy, one year old, grey cat. I love my new family very much except the mean (neutered) boy cat always chases me under the couch when he sees me. My new people spayed me thinking that the scent would keep him from wanting to chase me under the couch, but it has been over a month and he still picks on me just as always. Do you have any other suggestions for me and my people to get this mean old cat to leave me alone?
Thank you,
Boots


Dear Boots,
Isn't it scary when another cat, especially a bigger cat, picks on you? Well, hopefully, I might be able to help. Unfortunately, most cats are very territorial, and when a new kitty gets introduced into a territory already "claimed," it can cause problems. That is why most experts suggest a gradual introduction of a new cat into a home over several weeks.

But since it sounds like you've already been integrated into your home, we may have to try something different. Let me give a few suggestions of things your humans can try to help reduce the animosity. Since food aggression is the most common type of aggression between indoor cats, they can try spreading the food bowls out, even to different rooms in the house. This will keep the kitties from being forced to eat in close proximity to each other. Another idea is to spend 15-20 minutes a day playing with each cat individually, using laser pens or feather toys. This will help to release their energy and reduce anxiety. Also, using a product like Feliway, that contains facial pheromones, might help. These pheromones are thought to have a calming effect and are associated with pleasurable experiences and "friendly" cats. Though they can not be sprayed on the cats themselves (don't do this!) they can be sprayed in the room where the cats are. Another trick is to put a bell on each cat so they will know where the other cats are and won't be surprised by an unexpected encounter.

If none of those work, then the last option might be what is called Separation and Reintroduction. I've turned to my friends Dr. Nicholas Dodman and Dr. Alice Moon-Fanelli of PetPlace.com for their step-by-step process.

Step 1 - Completely separate the cats in two divided environments within your house. Perhaps one cat could go upstairs (environment A) and the other downstairs (environment B). A closed solid door should separate the two areas. Make sure water and litter boxes are readily available in both areas! Make sure each cat is aware of the other cats presence on the other side of the door, but confuse their territorial instincts by switching their environments on a daily basis. In other words, the cat in environment A gets moved to environment B and vice versa. If you live on a one-floor house, use a bedroom as your second environment.

Step 2 - Begin the process of desensitization and counter-conditioning. If you feed your cats freely, where they can eat whenever they want, stop that process. Feed them twice a day so that they will be hungry enough to participate in across-the-door socialization at mealtimes. Feed the cats simultaneously on either side of the closed door so they can hear and smell each other while eating.

Start by placing the food bowls as far apart as necessary so the cats remain comfortable. After the cats have been eating for a few days without aggression, start moving the bowls closer to the doors. Once they are relaxed with each other on opposite sides of the door, move on to the next step. One hint: if you play with the kitties and pet them while they are eating (having two people helps) the cats will learn that good things happen when they are close together. Just make sure you only feed them and play with them during these training times. It'll be tough, but they need to recognize that the good things happen when they are close together.

Once the feeding times have become relaxed, start letting them see each other. Open the door a crack, but block it with something like a wedge or doorstop so they can not get at each other. Once they get used to seeing each other and are relaxed, widen the opening. Make sure they have enough time to get used to each other before moving on to a wider opening.

Step 3 - Now the two cats can be taken into the same room with each other. Make sure they are on a harness or in a cage, so they can not attack one another. Do this for short periods, and always be aware of aggression on either side. Keep them at opposite ends of the room, and keep these sessions to 15 or 20 minutes only. During this time, feed them and play with them, again reinforcing in their minds that good things happen when they are in a room together. Each day, if all is peaceful, move them a little closer together, until they are able to eat side-by-side without aggression. Once this stage is reached, try releasing the passive cat from its harness, then do the same the next day with the dominant cat. If you don't have problems when each cat is freed separately, then try freeing both cats at the same time. Be alert, though, and be ready to separate them if aggression occurs!

Once the cats can be together peacefully for extended periods, boost up their egos! Praise them and reward them whenever they are peacefully in a room together. If the more timid cat begins to hide again or the dominant cat starts blocking access to water or the liter box, you may have to move back a step or two.

It's a tedious process and it may take several months to achieve success, but it's worth it! Don't rush the process and you will hopefully find that your household will be the happy relaxed place where all your kitties can live in peace! Do realize, however, that in rare cases there might be two cats that simply can not live peacefully together, but can be perfectly happy living in two separate areas in your house. Hopefully that won't be the case with you, Boots, but please email me again and let me know how things are going!

Good luck!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

Remember, folks, I am not a vet! I am a cat! Always talk to your vet before making any medical decisions regarding your cat! Please!