she11ypee
Dec 6, 2007, 07:00 AM
My sister died 2.5 months ago and I inherited her cat - Buster - he is a neutered 18 month old male. I already have a cat - Itsy (neutered female) who I have had since a kitten and is now 8.
Initially we introduced them gradually, a few hours a day but Itsy always hissed and spat at Buster and often left the house for long periods (which was unusual for her).
After about 7 weeks I spoke to the vet about this problem as it was getting harder and harder to get Itsy back in the house - it was as though she was scared to come in.
I got Felaway - happy hormone plug in from vets and Itsy calmed down and stared coming back in the house when I called her - but always went into the spare room where we put her food and she slept - as she was sleeping in there all the time we didn't feel it was fair to let Buster in. He seems very playful towards her and there has been a number of chases which do lead to Itsy hissing and spitting a lot and then running off.
We are now almost keeping both cats separated as we don't want to scare Itsy off - the past week or so Itsy it is getting harder to get Itsy into the house - I don't know if there has been an incident but again she seems to be very scared of him.
Should I let them fight so they can establish who is top cat? I am very protective over Itsy and she does seem scared of Buster - Buster has settled into his new home very well but it feel like he is pushing Itsy out. Advice please as I am very stressed out!
Initially we introduced them gradually, a few hours a day but Itsy always hissed and spat at Buster and often left the house for long periods (which was unusual for her).
After about 7 weeks I spoke to the vet about this problem as it was getting harder and harder to get Itsy back in the house - it was as though she was scared to come in.
I got Felaway - happy hormone plug in from vets and Itsy calmed down and stared coming back in the house when I called her - but always went into the spare room where we put her food and she slept - as she was sleeping in there all the time we didn't feel it was fair to let Buster in. He seems very playful towards her and there has been a number of chases which do lead to Itsy hissing and spitting a lot and then running off.
We are now almost keeping both cats separated as we don't want to scare Itsy off - the past week or so Itsy it is getting harder to get Itsy into the house - I don't know if there has been an incident but again she seems to be very scared of him.
Should I let them fight so they can establish who is top cat? I am very protective over Itsy and she does seem scared of Buster - Buster has settled into his new home very well but it feel like he is pushing Itsy out. Advice please as I am very stressed out!