tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post3931595412847040718..comments2024-03-01T06:49:59.106-05:00Comments on Behind the Bit: Turn for the worseStacey Kimmel-Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-17105233162378123942011-10-04T19:48:26.790-04:002011-10-04T19:48:26.790-04:00I'm new to your blog and way behind. But, is ...I'm new to your blog and way behind. But, is Newman neutered? I've found that some shelters do not do that. And intact males are aggressive brats to other kitties. Or, if he is, was he neutered in the last couple months? Because, in that case, just like with horses, it takes time for the hormones to really calm down and leave the body.<br /><br />I also recommend a Feliway diffuser, Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-74895368896516451032011-10-04T17:39:32.307-04:002011-10-04T17:39:32.307-04:00We had to rehome one of my cats with my mother, an...We had to rehome one of my cats with my mother, and he ended up being the aggressor even though he was entering the home. They tolerate each other (seven months later) but they may never be friends.<br /><br />My cat had been with a brother and had to fight for position a bit. The other cat doesn't appear to know how to fight back, even though he outweighs my cat by several pounds.<br /><brLazyShamrockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15690477810737806469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-65684313529655298582011-10-03T21:09:53.209-04:002011-10-03T21:09:53.209-04:00I do find it's challenging, and territories is...I do find it's challenging, and territories is the only thing I've found that works. Don't give up, though. They can find a way through, but only with time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104422629934443842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-54338943715846637772011-10-03T13:54:16.497-04:002011-10-03T13:54:16.497-04:00I used clicker training to get my cat and dog used...I used clicker training to get my cat and dog used to each other when I got the dog last year. My cat was already a clicker cat.<br /><br />After teaching my dog about clicker training, I started to click her for just sitting still while in my cat's presence--instead of acting agressive. Within a few days, she learned that acting passive around her was highly rewarded. My cat then relaxed Judihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01696430372464786833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-18916987423850822192011-10-03T12:51:03.740-04:002011-10-03T12:51:03.740-04:00I'm not sure if there is cat-cat introduction ...I'm not sure if there is cat-cat introduction advice, but the Leerburg website has some good info on introducing a new animal into the household safely, including dog-cat at the very least. I just can't remember if he covers cat-cat.<br /><br />Good luck... many commenters have given good adviceserissimehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16182745758052503035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-51455103775946294972011-10-03T11:48:58.149-04:002011-10-03T11:48:58.149-04:00Newman reminds me a lot of the older cat I adopted...Newman reminds me a lot of the older cat I adopted a few years ago. He and our current cat didn't really get along for ... months? Somewhere along the line they started tolerating each other instead of dominating. Now they groom each other all the time.<br /><br />Also second the Feliway, we tried it when addressing some behavior problems and it seemed to help. Can't hurt to try. Spray itLaurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03210666857862017395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-48088957689105757702011-10-03T10:16:23.987-04:002011-10-03T10:16:23.987-04:00Boy that is a hard spot to be in. I sure hope they...Boy that is a hard spot to be in. I sure hope they work it out so your house is peaceful again! I am not experienced with cats so I have no advice for you, just good wishes.strivingforsavvyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03070004292603118407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-81702942873746687562011-10-03T08:56:43.458-04:002011-10-03T08:56:43.458-04:00My two lived together for 15 years and they would ...My two lived together for 15 years and they would have moments when they would seemed to be fighting to the death. I think some cats just like to fight rough.PhunnieOnenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-44824048028418405782011-10-03T07:15:38.011-04:002011-10-03T07:15:38.011-04:00CatVet has good source ideas, and I throw my weigh...CatVet has good source ideas, and I throw my weight behind Feliway, too. It was an investment, but worth it.blind irish piratehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13781314774264492284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-54397806245021169552011-10-03T07:13:36.416-04:002011-10-03T07:13:36.416-04:00Thanks Catvet,
We have been wary of doing much mo...Thanks Catvet,<br /><br />We have been wary of doing much more than "distracting" the cats but lately are taking more active steps. Good advice about never associating the punishment with the humans. <br /><br />I'd heard about not punishing cats but never knew why. Thanks!Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-58788258967478701832011-10-03T03:40:18.855-04:002011-10-03T03:40:18.855-04:00I would not recommend using any sort of punishment...I would not recommend using any sort of punishment techniques in cats. If punishment is used it must be done in such a way that the cat in no way associates the punishment with your presence (e.g., by use of boobie traps, remote devices). Cats are solitary hunters - unique in that they are both predator and prey animals. They are not "group" animals like horses and dogs that have a CatVetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-78585569009063329372011-10-02T22:53:23.137-04:002011-10-02T22:53:23.137-04:00I've fostered cats for a couple of years and a...I've fostered cats for a couple of years and agree that introducing adults to adults is the most difficult.<br /><br />I second (or third) the Feliway -- it definitely helps. Also keeping them separate for awhile, even if it's only at night just to give them each their own space.<br /><br />Be patient. They may never be friends but they will start to tolerate each other soon enough and itLiz Goldsmithhttp://www.equineink.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-23812883122748285382011-10-02T22:08:38.699-04:002011-10-02T22:08:38.699-04:00I haven't had experience with bringing a new c...I haven't had experience with bringing a new cat into a household with an older one - but have done so with dogs. I know that I was scared about their getting along in the beginning - and think my feelings may have telegraphed themselves to the animals. <br />I say give it more time - afterall, he did get along at the shelter.Dreaminghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02113432418609414054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-50343467218505486102011-10-02T21:42:59.259-04:002011-10-02T21:42:59.259-04:00Anon, that is exactly what we're doing -- well...Anon, that is exactly what we're doing -- well, not by the scruff of the neck but by whatever means necessary. At one point I'd just gotten out of the shower, and I had a towel around my head, and Newman went after RK. I whipped the towel off and flicked it at him. One minute he was chasing RK, the next he was running from a damp towel. We have a squirt bottle. He times himself out, Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-88592784890707039152011-10-02T21:33:28.056-04:002011-10-02T21:33:28.056-04:00I agree with the poster who made a comment about y...I agree with the poster who made a comment about you asserting your dominance over Newman. I had a similar situation with the introduction of a young cat back in 2007. Some people might find my discipline too much, but whenever she went after my old cat I picked her up by her scruff and put her in time out. I made it a very matter-of-fact exercise - no anger, but no tolerance, either.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-2854345684523405052011-10-02T19:14:35.225-04:002011-10-02T19:14:35.225-04:00I have cats and have introduced new adults into th...I have cats and have introduced new adults into the group...I know exactly how it can be. If you give it time, they will inevitably find a way to get along, though they may never be friends. Is it possible for you to introduce a third cat? Preferably a young one. If this cat is subservient to both older cats, it may diffuse some of the tension. I have had this experience. I also agree about the Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-12924274343301194242011-10-02T18:48:23.500-04:002011-10-02T18:48:23.500-04:00three weeks is hardly enough time to see if the ca...three weeks is hardly enough time to see if the cats will get along. When i married and we merged our two cats we had similar problems. and worse - the dominant cat willie would ambush the less dominant cat naomi when she was using the litter box causing all sorts of havoc. we found peace by providing a litter box and feeding area for naomi that willie was not allowed in. Eventually they wereAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-9370976681502329472011-10-02T18:40:50.444-04:002011-10-02T18:40:50.444-04:00Phooey. I've had issues like this in the past....Phooey. I've had issues like this in the past. Most of the time the two cats learned to avoid each other. Red might appreciate someplace high up where he could retreat to get away from Newman. <br /><br />There is an article here with some information: http://www.catcaresociety.org/social.html<br /><br />I'm sure you can find more ideas on other sites. I'd hate to think Newman has to Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10029423500476995817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-17331729527935175832011-10-02T17:29:49.709-04:002011-10-02T17:29:49.709-04:00I wouldn't get so dramatic about it right now....I wouldn't get so dramatic about it right now. These are two adult cats--adjusting to each other takes time. Cat arguments always sound terrible and dramatic, but they are little more than dominance displays that will eventually peter out. <br /><br />I had two cats that lived together, but were never "friends." Eventually, they learned to respect each other's turf and live McFawnhttp://thistimedressage.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-78407769472291272362011-10-02T17:28:14.503-04:002011-10-02T17:28:14.503-04:00I'm sorry you're still having trouble.
It...I'm sorry you're still having trouble.<br /><br />It sounds to me like maybe Newman is acting dominant because he thinks he's in heaven. And Red Kitka knows the rules, knows to be nice to guests, so he's not challenging what he thinks of as your rules. We had a similar problem when we introduced our new cat to his older brother.<br /><br />I don't know if this will work with Alliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11642347173603753681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-15507251403993446422011-10-02T17:19:58.423-04:002011-10-02T17:19:58.423-04:00Don't let those hard time beat you down ! They...Don't let those hard time beat you down ! They'll get along at some point. Sometimes cats need a long time before they get along well. <br />I had a particular one who was so upset with the coming of a new kitten that he "sulked" for a whole month. He finally accepted the other cat and both were good buddies after.<br />Your two probably need some time too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-11653225303317198222011-10-02T16:59:22.753-04:002011-10-02T16:59:22.753-04:00Dang it! I think you should give it a bit more tim...Dang it! I think you should give it a bit more time, maybe. I'd hate to see him have to go back too.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04068684611506771719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-25185492179684935442011-10-02T16:30:53.100-04:002011-10-02T16:30:53.100-04:00I have a friend who successfully introduced a new ...I have a friend who successfully introduced a new room mate's cats into her household by initially keeping them in a separate room. Later on there were stages of feeding them side by side in their crates etc. I hope something works out for your red cats.English Riderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01712384532126551307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-13898885239311175852011-10-02T16:02:10.125-04:002011-10-02T16:02:10.125-04:00To each his own little universe. You are not worr...To each his own little universe. You are not worrying about those things and neither is Newman. Of course he is also not worrying about being sent back. Could you do some supervised visits, where you and Bob each cuddle a cat within sight of the other cat?<br /><br />We had a (very) large rabbit when I lived with my parents. The two cats despised the rabbit, but learned to tolerate him. Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-33756735624430254112011-10-02T15:59:46.510-04:002011-10-02T15:59:46.510-04:00I very randomly stumbled on your blog but I just w...I very randomly stumbled on your blog but I just wondered, have you ever tried Feliway for cats? it's a plug in pheromone diffuser. The link:<br />http://www.amazon.com/Farnam-Comfort-Diffuser-Feliway-Milliliters/dp/B000FH708I/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1317585418&sr=8-5<br />We had a cat that used to lick herself raw, and we started feliway and it really helped. It's supposed to helpMellimaushttp://ridingdaisy.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com