Cats Getting Along

Updated on October 11, 2009
S.O. asks from San Antonio, TX
6 answers

Ok, maybe someone out there is the "Cat Whisperer." I hope you have suggestions.
We have had a cat for 5 years. She was abandoned in our neighborhood on a stormy, cold weekend, and we took her in, got her all the shots, fixed, etc... She is super sweet, loves people and is indoor-outdoor.
She thinks she owes this half of the block, though, as there are other dogs, no other cats. She goes nuts when, on the rare occasion, another cat comes around.
Our homes are close together, so I guess to an animal, it's all one big yard.
Enter neighbor's cat. They recently picked one up that was dumped at school. It is teeny and young. Also indoor-outdoor.
The cats haven't met yet, but how do we help "neighbor kitties" do get along. The neighbor's children are very young....I would feel absolutely horrible if our cat did something to their kitten while defending "her territory." Suggestions?

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C.M.

answers from Houston on

I have had kitty cats all my life and now have some strictly indoor and some in/out. Cats usually are fine especially when the other one is a kitten. Just let them work it out themselves. They will learn what territory is theirs and if they want to share it or not. They may get into a little tift but your cat will probably enjoy the company of the kitten eventually. Cats generally stay where they are fed, so just make sure you are feeding your cat at your house and the neighbors are feeding their kitten at their house. If the kitten is really small they should keep it indoors mostly and only let it out with supervision until it gets older. Make sure it is tested for FELV/FIV and vaccinated too so your kitty doesn't catch anything. from it.

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R.D.

answers from Austin on

Cats generally are best if allowed to be the 'only' cat. This of course is difficult when your cat is indoor/outdoor and you live in a neighborhood.
I'd try talking to your neighbors about the benefits of keeping their kitten indoors - especially if it hasn't been fully vaccinated yet (Feline Distemper, Feline Leukemia & Rabies), then utilize the time it is indoors to do what another poster suggested with visiting the other cat & getting it's scent and bringing it home. Be watchful of your cat though, if you upset her with this too much, she could begin to urinate inappropriately (my sister had a female cat that would pee on her bed if she went out of town!). Another thing you may need to be cautious of is if your cat and their kitten get into a 'tiff' their kitten may just leave the area to get out of your cat's turf.
If they refuse to keep their cat in, try to figure out a schedule with them so your cats are never outside at the same time.
If that doesn't work, you may have to just keep your cat inside, it's healthier for her anyway.
Good Luck!

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N.H.

answers from Houston on

First you should explain to the kids that not all cats & kittens like each other & so to just 'throw' them together w/o having 'met' would probably be a bad idea. With any two cats (or more) about to possibly meet, it's always best to gradually let them meet. You can try two different methods that I know of, first you can go to your neighbor's & just explain that you both have new cats & would like them to meet & get along. You can ask to pet or play w/their cat then go to your cat & let it sniff you & learn of the other cat's scent. You can do this over several days or a week or so then you can do the same w/their cat, the neighbor petting/playing w/yours & bringing home it's scent & try to let them meet gradually by this method. You can also try that in addition to doing this: You didn't say whether your cat is outdoor or both in/out. If only outdoor, since the other cat is both in/out then ask your neighbor if they'd keep their cat in while you bring your cat over to meet their cat. While keeping your cat outside, if it's warm enough, leave their door open or the window shades up & possibly window open if it has a screen so both cats can see each other & 'nose' each other while having a barrier in between. That's the way cats usually 'meet' is they check each other out & nose each other (kinda like when dogs sniff ea others behinds). You can know then if they're going to get along. With the neighbor's cat indoors, it's pretty safe from your cat at that time but if your cat starts exhibiting territorial behaviors then they may not get along at that point & you can always use a water spritz to 'squirt' your cat or the other if one (or both) starts getting territorial & mad, that way they can know that's not acceptable. Now, you also didn't say if both cats have been neutered or spayed? If not then it probably would be a good idea to do that. It not only prevents 'spraying' or marking their territories but prevents unwanted kittens & a lot of times, calms them down to where they're more easy going. If they DO seem to get along then you should be fine. Normally when you bring a new cat into your OWN home w/a first cat then the best way is to keep them separated then switch rooms so they can sense the other's scent & then place them to where they see each other but can't touch then gradually bring them closer like putting one in a kennel or carrier so they can touch noses or get to know each other more personally then switch w/the other in a kennel. Eventually they should be able to get along w/o being separated. Knowing that, it should give you some idea of how to go about it w/your neighbor's cat. Now, another thing that makes a difference is if they're both the same gender. Two females generally won't get along. Two males MIGHT but it usually has the same result unless they grew up w/each other on both males & females then they'd know each other already. Now I have read that if the adult is a female then regardless of gender, if the other is a kitten (young kitten) then they usually act maternal or nurturing towards a kitten & accepting of it b/c they don't feel threatened by it, being young & small but I don't know if that's true & don't know if adult males would be that way w/a kitten. It sounds like it may be true w/the females but haven't had that experience that I recall. I hope these tips help & good luck!

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T.E.

answers from Houston on

don't worry, your cat will learn to get along with the new kitten. or the kitten will learn to stay away from your cat. it is just animal nature and there is nothing you can do to stop it.

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J.M.

answers from Austin on

I've only had experience with male cats vs. kittens and found that in those situations, the male adult cat tends to be peeved but is not hostile towards the kittens. I think the age difference brings out the best. I can't verify that will be the same for female, but it will be okay.
I think the likely scenario will be that she is rude but not violent to the kitten. They will stay apart from each other and once the kitten is grown, they can gun for queen bee if needed, but i don't see that as being likely. Or they might love each other to bits and roam the hood together. Most likely they will find separately defined areas to hang within. and one day one of them will go off and do it's own thing.
If she attacks, squirt her with water, etc. There's nothing like watching your childhood pet get ripped up by another, but one must remember these are animals and should be kept in line accordingly.
Oh, and make sure the flea situation is under control :D

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C.W.

answers from Waco on

Hi S.
I don't know about the "cat whisperer" but I can tell you from my experience with cats that there are some that just do not get along- it is a territorial thing- has to do with their gender.
We live in the country and have always had cats. some of our choice and some people have just dropped off. (ughhhhhh) we try to care for them all but we have had some that are very hostile and mean to the others- our female cats have been fixed and are outdoor cats- the male cats have not- but when others appear my female outdoor cat becomes very terrirorial and does not want them here- sounds like this is your problem and nothing fixed it- we have to take the cats that do not get along with our cats to a shelter because they fight.......so, having said that I am not sure there is a solution to your problem except to eliminate the cat that is causing the problems.

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