[spophmonk21]

I have multiple cats, a mix of two strays, three indoor cats, and one outdoor cat. I know, a lot of cats. Anyway, my one outdoor cat, Napoleon, is not a very nice cat. He can be so sweet and I love him to death but he isn't too nice to other cats. He seems to relatively tolerate them all except for one of the strays, George. Him and George seem to always be fighting, but a few weeks ago George ended up with a serious bite. He had to spend a night at the vet getting it drained and then locked in a spare bedroom for two weeks while it healed. He was finally let back outside about a week ago. This evening he and Napoleon fought again. When I finally got George inside I found that he had a really massive cat bite, even worse than last time. This one will definitely take a trip to the vet.

I guess my question is, am I going to have to get rid of one of them? I mean you basically cannot get rid of a stray but I don't think I could give Napoleon up. I know something has to be done but I just don't think I could do it. Maybe if I could at least give him to someone, but I definitely couldn't put him in a shelter. I would never do that to him. What can I do? I don't know anyone that would take him and why would they? He obviously isn't the greatest cat. My parents are really angry and I think they will want me to take him to a shelter or put him down. I couldn't do either of those things. I don't know what to do. Plain and simple. Any advice?

[Wondergirl]

Has Napoleon been fixed -- is he neutered?

[Akoue]

I can think of several things that can be done, but first we need more information. Wondergirl had asked you whether he's been fixed. What about the other cats? How many males and how many females? What are their ages? And, finally, you mention two strays. Are they allowed inside or do they stay outside all the time?

Oh, and what about Napoleon? How much time does he spend inside and how much outside? How does he get along with the other cats?

Sorry to bombard you with so many questions, but the answers will help A LOT. The more info we have the more help we can be.

I've been through situations that sound similar to what you're dealing with and things always worked out fine. Just please, any info you can provide really will make a huge difference.

[spophmonk21]

Napoleon is fixed, so is George. As for the other stray... never gotten close enough to see whether it's a male or female, too skittish. George comes in the house only during the winter nights when he is cold. Then there is one male and two female indoor cats. Male is about a year, one female a 5 or so years old, and the other female is just a few months. Napoleon gets along with all of them except the older female, but that is just because she is a recluse and freaks out if he gets near her. And Napoleon is mostly outside, comes in when it is cold or bored it seems like. Anything else?

[Akoue]

The easiest fix is to keep either George or Napoleon--or ideally both--inside. Outdoor cats are going to get into fights. If you bring them inside, not only are they much, much safer (and they'll have much, much longer and healthier lives), but you can monitor them. There are things you can do, once you've brought them in for keeps, to help everyone get along. So long as they're spending considerable amounts of time outside unsupervised, fights are going to happen, if not with each other then with other strays who come around.

As I say, you're best bet, and the best thing you can do for them, is to make them indoor kitties. There's lots of advice I can offer about how to integrate all of them and deal with conflicts. Is this something you are willing to do?

[spophmonk21]

I would rather do that than give away Napoleon. I am sure I could make Napoleon an indoor cat, but I don't think George would go for it. As for Napoleon, he is used to coming and going as he pleases, how do I turn him into a happy indoor cat?

[Akoue]

First thing: Be prepared that for the first couple of weeks Napoleon is going to be very angry, and probably in a sour mood some of the time. Once you've decided to keep him in, you have to stick to your guns. Remember that he needs you to teach him what the new rules are, so don't confuse him by letting him back out. He's going to cry and try to get out, so be firm and be vigilant. He'll adjust to the new routine, but it will take him a while. Just be patient with him while he's in the crying to go out phase. He's not going to understand why he's being kept in but he sees George outside.

What makes you think George wouldn't go for it?

[Wondergirl]

One thing I did when I was helping a rescued cat become part of the always-indoors gang was feed them all at the same time, lined up in a row, each with his own paper plate and all eating the same flavor canned food. After eating, they sat around washing and grooming and then trundled off to take a nap. I have a pet heating pad for each cat with the pads in various places in the living room, all off the drafty floor and on the loveseat or the recliner, etc. I have water bowls on the kitchen floor (in an out-of-the-way place) and at least 4X a day refill them with clean, cold water. I used to have available 24/7 a couple of bowls of dry food, but noticed they didn't finish their canned food, so dry food has become an occasional treat.

In conclusion, the cats who eat and sleep at the same time generally get along with each other. Cats like routine, so maybe if Napoleon gets into a routine and is always indoors, he will relax.

[spophmonk21]

More like my parents wouldn't go for having George in. They already think we have too many cats and I don't even know if I'll be able to convince them to let Napoleon stay inside.

[Wondergirl]

Cats sleep an average of 16 hours a day. If you keep the worst of the cat hair cleaned up, the litter boxes scooped, and are in charge of feeding...

I live in an 800-900 sq ft house with two other adults and four cats. It can be done.

[Wondergirl]

More like my parents wouldn't go for having George in. They already think we have too many cats and I don't even know if I'll be able to convince them to let Napoleon stay inside.

Since George is used to being outside and is neutered, at least continue to feed him, pet him, monitor his health. He sounds like the poster boy (poster cat?) for the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) effort that all the cat people and shelters are pursuing all over the world.

[Wondergirl]

How are we doing?