Monday, January 26, 2009

all cats all the time

  Our older, dominant female cat (Daisy) is not enjoying the new kitty quite as much as we are, to put it mildly.  Any tips on helping an older female cat to accept a younger female cat? Anyone?  Anyone?  (halp! iz getting a bit ugly!!)

8 comments:

natasha the exile on Mom Street said...

I can recommend some things that you may already be doing:

1) ALWAYS feed/ greet/ give treats to Daisy first. If you walk into a room where they're both hanging out, make sure that you give Daisy attention first, even if she seems like she doesn't want it.

2) Make sure that Daisy has at least one "spot" that is just for her. If Kitty is in it, gently encourage her to go elsewhere.

3) Give it time!

RURAL said...

Sooooo cute.

Sorry no tips, I just heard that they needed to be seperated in different rooms, with dominant kitty having the run of the house. Eventually a blanket was shared so both could smell the scent of the other.

I have a feeling that you are somewhat past that stage.

Bootsie still is sniffing any leftover scent from Madame Z's Christmas visit. He does think he owns this place, and his own home.

We want a kitty, if the cat fight goes through, but Bootsie is going to be a big problem. He doesn't share well.

Jen

Unknown said...

Get another younger kitty to occupy this one?
Give it time, the cranky older kitty will get over it.

Anonymous said...

Cute pictures.. but no tips as I have only had dogs...

Dysd Housewife said...

As a long time, multiple cat owner, I will tell you there is nothing you can do. You have to let them duke it out, until baby kitty understands her "place". They have to make a pecking order among themselves, and you have to let them. If you don't, they will be constantly fighting and you will be constantly breaking it up. Keeping them seperate will only prolong it. There might be a couple knock-down-dragouts, but after that, they will know their places. You just have to let them handle it.

Leenie said...

Natasha's recommendations sound good. Helping the original cat feel she is still number one may work. We had one situation at our place where the two cats never did get along even after years. Their personalities just did not mix.

Unknown said...

Love the photos...I have been playing with those collages on picasa. As for the kitties, my first thought was to separate them, but maybe it is better to let them duke it out. The kitten will soon learn to keep her distance. We have one cat that really does not like the others and they know to give her a wide berth! Hope it gets better soon for you all...but dont worry, it will eventually.

annie

Unknown said...

I agree with Annie they will have to duke it out. But it should not take too long. Good luck!

I love the pictures :)