[beckyjcox]

:confused:

I have 3 cats already and about 6 months ago took in my mom's cat. My 3 cats get along just fine with each other, no problems. They were territorial at first, but have gotten used to each other. With the 4th cat, she was used to being an only cat. Problem is she is really mean to my other 3. and it's been 6 months. I don't know what to do...
My mom's cat loves the basement, as she used to have access to it at my mom's. I have her down in the basement at night. During the day I take her out so she can socialize. Her definition of socialize is terrorizing the other 3 by swatting at them and chasing them. Part of me wants to get rid of her, but I don't want to give up. I need some advice on what to do. Do I keep her? Or surrender her to the humane society, which I would much rather not do, but Weego needs a home without other cats...

[Clough]

I have had cats all of my life. As many as three at a time. I appreciate the fact that you care about your mother's cat. If I were you, I'd give the situation more time. As you have said in your post "They were territorial at first, but have gotten used to each other."

You might want to try not giving your mom's cat the choice of being in the basement so she can realize that, hey, this is the way it is. No hiding place. No break.

Another thing to try is the good, old-fashioned spray water bottle when she does attack the other cats.

If this does not work after well, I don't know how long really. Depends on how much you can put up with. And, how severely she is terrorizing the other cats. If it is all the time then you may need to give her up.

My experience has been that at least one of the cats is going to be the dominant one. And, it may be your mom's cat. The age of the cat also makes a difference here as far as how much a cat will be able to adapt.

I have some friends, who after many years of having the same two cats, one of them just started attacking the other one violently. They ended up getting rid of the violent cat.

Recently, I had two cats together for a number of years - a mother and son. Mom, of course was the dominant one. After mom died, Boots, her son's personality changed a lot. This was after the two of them being in my home together for about 11 years. He didn't used to meow very much. Now, he frequently speaks his mind!

Good luck!

[beckyjcox]

Thank you so much for your help! It's been a few days now and my mom's cat *my adopted kitty* has made remarkable progress! I usually would leave my mom's cat out but then she would cry to go back down, and being a dummy, I would let her down.
Anyway, she is doing much better and has made friends with my 2nd oldest cat *my mom's cat is the oldest*
The youngest one and her are starting to interact a little bit, walking past each other and surprisingly not hissing!! :)
GREAT progress!
Thanks again for your help!