Cat advice needed (long)

[indysteel]

More time.

How do you know Izzie is not trying to play with Matilda? My cat Cassie has this blood curdling cry when she wants to beat up on Tucker. But she really is just playing.

Veronica

I'm used to Izzy's body language and vocalizations when she "attacks" Henry during play. This is very different and seemingly quite aggressive. Even if it's not intended such, Matilda is reacting to it aggressively herself.

But I agree that more time is needed. I just don't know what baby steps to take during that time. As it stands right now, we take Matilda downstairs and let her sit on the couch with us. If we let her down onto the floor, it takes only a minute or two for an attack to ensue.

[Veronica]

I hope someone chimes in with some good advice for you. I know how much you care about your fur babies. I've been lucky in how all my pets have adapted to each other - even my "rotten" Rottweiler who just seemed to understand that the bedroom was for cats only, unless there was a thunderstorm.

Veronica

[indysteel]

I hope someone chimes in with some good advice for you. I know how much you care about your fur babies. I've been lucky in how all my pets have adapted to each other - even my "rotten" Rottweiler who just seemed to understand that the bedroom was for cats only, unless there was a thunderstorm.

Veronica

Thanks, V. I sure do care about my fur babies. I never really wanted kids, but my cats provide an outlet for my maternal side. Plus, they're just so darn entertaining. Our house wouldn't be the same without them.

I just wish Izzy could channel the now-departed Sophie. She was so mellow when it came to other animals. She and Henry were best buddies, and I think he and Matilda could be friends if we could just get Izzy to simmer down.

[Veronica]

I am digging being on summer vacation because I can watch my two. Tucker chooses the oddest places to sleep - front paws in one of Thom's slippers? Cassie likes my pillow. They follow me around when they're not napping. Plus I'm getting some quality time with the "ferals". The Curlies and Gray Kitty do like their petting.

Hopefully, Izzie and Matilda will work it out. Maybe they just need to have a good spat.

Veronica

[smilingcat]

I've had big trouble with Mama cat. She was the rescue about 2 years ago. At first everything was going fine then it went downhill.

the problem was she wanted to be an alpha but we already had a well established hierarchy of 10 cats. If mama tried to start anything including our lowest cat on the totem pole, the alpha cat Brendon 10yo Main coon mix and the #2 cat Morgan 6yo rag doll would attack mama.

At first we figure on letting the cats sort it out themselves but it wasn't working.

One thing we didn't do is to take a towel and rub against all of our cats then onto mama to transfer the pack smell on her and reverse. I know this works for chicken. It's a crazy idea but it might reduce the tension.

Sometimes, you have to let the cats sort out their hierarchy themselves. And this means to let them fight it out. You have to be there to make sure no one gets seriously injured. It's nerve wracking to let them "have at it" but sometimes this is what it takes for them to sort out the order in the pack.

I think Izzy is being threatened by Matilda or Izzy doesn't want to become the Omega in three cat household and neither does Matilda.

Since Matilda is the newest, she should be on the bottom of the totem pole. You might want to feed your other two in plain sight of Matilda then feed Matilda last to let her know that she is on the bottom. This may also help.

[Koronin]

I agree that it sounds like there needs to be more time and that they need to sort out who is where in hierarchy.

Our three have a more or less truce with each other. Basically we have 3 cats that do not care for each very much. Although the youngest (and lowest on the totempole) actually would be lost without the other two. She really relies on them for reassurance. The other two are truly both Alpha cats. Basically they seem to have come to some arrangement that they basically just ignore each other.

On the other hand, it is a mistake to even think about bringing another cat into this household. We tried with a stray that adopted us before we moved. Basically all three hate him and decided to hiss and growl if he even moved. He now lives very happily with my mom and my mom's cat who doesn't mind him being there. He's a big cat (about 18lbs when healthy) and is actually an Omega cat. But our three wanted him gone.

[Marquise]

Was also going to suggest rubbing towel on cats to get their smells on each other. Good luck!