Need advice from folks with multiple cats
06-11-2011, 08:53 PM
#21
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Idaho
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Originally Posted by aliaslaceygreen
Since I am in the middle of CHAOS right now with my three, I am reading along, hoping someone can come up with a solution that works for me, too!!
((( I have Gandolph (an older diabetic) Rory, AKA Mr. Crankypants) and Tatiana (AKA Her Royal Bitchiness.) have all been to the vet and declared healthy. Rory and Tati have both spent a few days at 'sleep-away camp' (boarding at the vet) and while one has been gone Gandolph and the other have been allowing peace and harmony to reign at the Greenhouse.
Now, all three are back together, and we KNOW that someone is peeing out of frustration or to prove a point, not from a medical issue.
Which of the two would you guys think is the most obvious choice to be medicated? And if you have had a cat on an anti-anxiety or chill out pill, what have you used? Rory is the younger, he is a clown and high energy. He is VERY interested in becoming friends with Tatiana. He STALKS her, he wants to be NEAR her. Tatiana is about 10, she is a hisser, she isn't as lovely-dovey kind of animal.
Also, it's not possible to separate them in different parts of the house. There are doors only on the bathroom and the bedrooms, and they are not allowed in two of the three bedrooms because of peeing issues. But. We need to end this peeing thing. It's got to stop. If both should be on something, so be it, but something must give. Tati was here first, Gandolph and Rory came together a year and a half ago, and this has been an issue for about 7 months...
I wouldn't care if they carried on, hissed and swatted and fought, I get that...its the peeing that is making me nuts!)
((( I have Gandolph (an older diabetic) Rory, AKA Mr. Crankypants) and Tatiana (AKA Her Royal Bitchiness.) have all been to the vet and declared healthy. Rory and Tati have both spent a few days at 'sleep-away camp' (boarding at the vet) and while one has been gone Gandolph and the other have been allowing peace and harmony to reign at the Greenhouse.
Now, all three are back together, and we KNOW that someone is peeing out of frustration or to prove a point, not from a medical issue.
Which of the two would you guys think is the most obvious choice to be medicated? And if you have had a cat on an anti-anxiety or chill out pill, what have you used? Rory is the younger, he is a clown and high energy. He is VERY interested in becoming friends with Tatiana. He STALKS her, he wants to be NEAR her. Tatiana is about 10, she is a hisser, she isn't as lovely-dovey kind of animal.
Also, it's not possible to separate them in different parts of the house. There are doors only on the bathroom and the bedrooms, and they are not allowed in two of the three bedrooms because of peeing issues. But. We need to end this peeing thing. It's got to stop. If both should be on something, so be it, but something must give. Tati was here first, Gandolph and Rory came together a year and a half ago, and this has been an issue for about 7 months...
I wouldn't care if they carried on, hissed and swatted and fought, I get that...its the peeing that is making me nuts!)
06-11-2011, 08:56 PM
#22
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Idaho
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Originally Posted by sueisallaboutquilts
Originally Posted by virtualbernie
Originally Posted by sueisallaboutquilts
Trish, have you tried those plug-in things that release synthetic pheromones?? They are expensive but really helped calm mine down when we got Katie. I used them for about a year, then gradually took them away. They really worked.
Also, my son got the spray and when he sprays the room his cat calms right down (he just got a new puppy and the cat got nervous)
Also, my son got the spray and when he sprays the room his cat calms right down (he just got a new puppy and the cat got nervous)
06-11-2011, 10:04 PM
#23
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,050
I have had three cats at a time, and I remember when we introduced the 3rd (a male) to the 2 females who were good friends, they did not welcome him at all. They eventually lived peaceably, but the one absolute rule that they followed was that they would not share a litter pan with him. It's important to provide an extra litter pan, or maybe 3, as far apart as possible, so that the girl kitty can avoid where the boys go. I don't know why, but they seem to have rules about this and are not interested in our opinion.
Those 3 cats lived together for 13 years. The two females remained friends but always kept their distance from the male. All of my cats were altered - always.
I currently have 2 females and after a couple of days of mild resentment the older kitty started grooming the kitten. They use the same litter pan with no complaint. The younger cat keeps the older cat's whiskers trimmed short, which drives me nuts. I think that's what's going on in my avatar picture.
Those 3 cats lived together for 13 years. The two females remained friends but always kept their distance from the male. All of my cats were altered - always.
I currently have 2 females and after a couple of days of mild resentment the older kitty started grooming the kitten. They use the same litter pan with no complaint. The younger cat keeps the older cat's whiskers trimmed short, which drives me nuts. I think that's what's going on in my avatar picture.
06-11-2011, 11:54 PM
#24
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,586
Originally Posted by Rose_P
I have had three cats at a time, and I remember when we introduced the 3rd (a male) to the 2 females who were good friends, they did not welcome him at all. They eventually lived peaceably, but the one absolute rule that they followed was that they would not share a litter pan with him. It's important to provide an extra litter pan, or maybe 3, as far apart as possible, so that the girl kitty can avoid where the boys go. I don't know why, but they seem to have rules about this and are not interested in our opinion.
06-12-2011, 04:06 AM
#25
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Woodbury, MN
Posts: 1,027
I agree - have at least three litterboxes.
Cats just do not get along with each other unless they are raised together.
I would think they will eventually tolerate each other, but your original cat will probably never be really happy with the other two cats there.
I believe male cats - neutered or not are always attracted to female cats. So that being said, your male cats will probably always somewhat harass your female cat.
It is amazing to hear that your cat was gone for so long and then came home. Someone must have taken her in. You ended up being stuck between a rock and a hard place now.
Cats just seem to act out by spraying. I guess I would try to maybe contain the males sometimes so the female gets a little freedom. Block the basement door maybe?
Keep us animal lovers updated....
Cats just do not get along with each other unless they are raised together.
I would think they will eventually tolerate each other, but your original cat will probably never be really happy with the other two cats there.
I believe male cats - neutered or not are always attracted to female cats. So that being said, your male cats will probably always somewhat harass your female cat.
It is amazing to hear that your cat was gone for so long and then came home. Someone must have taken her in. You ended up being stuck between a rock and a hard place now.
Cats just seem to act out by spraying. I guess I would try to maybe contain the males sometimes so the female gets a little freedom. Block the basement door maybe?
Keep us animal lovers updated....
06-12-2011, 04:11 AM
#26
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lebanon Missouri
Posts: 2,668
Yep they have to figure out their own Pecking Order My calico cat MindySue is 12yrs-30lb of Queenliness She barely tolerates the rest of my furry family a 3yr old Kitten -3yr old Manchester-a12 1/2 yr old Min-Pin - but when she speaks {growl-hiss] they listen--- It really won't take long before they figure out that all of them are loved and they are all staying :-D
06-12-2011, 04:51 AM
#27
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Middle of Nowhere, Indiana
Posts: 171
Originally Posted by Sadiemae
Do they make something like this for dogs? It is almost time for the 4th of July celebrations to begin, and I don't look forward to my Molly and the fireworks. I don't like giving her medication, but I will if I have to.
06-12-2011, 05:06 AM
#28
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Chesterfield, Virginia
Posts: 725
Sorry to have hijacked this thread, OP!! But hopefully we ALL will get better grips on being owned my mulitiple cats...
YES, I tried the plug in phermones...no diff
We have two litter boxes, there is no other location for a third, there is only peeing accidents, nothing else...
I am pretty sure it is a frustration for Tati and that it's her, but the thing to decide is does SHE go on the meds or does the harrasser, Rory go on them? Would the result be the same if HE stops being so eager to be friends as if she was not so adverse to HAVING friends....
We are going away on vacation at the end of the month, I really cant get anyone on meds till we get back because we wont be around to get them started properly....
the Enzyeme cleaner by Clorox, Oxi Magic, has been the best so far.
I didn't know about the lavender, I have that in the house.
The couch is ruined. I am just trying to extend it's life till we solve the problem, I can't imagine even a serious steam clean will fix it, but I will go that route before tossing...
Back to the OP...I hope you can solve your issues without too much trouble!!!
YES, I tried the plug in phermones...no diff
We have two litter boxes, there is no other location for a third, there is only peeing accidents, nothing else...
I am pretty sure it is a frustration for Tati and that it's her, but the thing to decide is does SHE go on the meds or does the harrasser, Rory go on them? Would the result be the same if HE stops being so eager to be friends as if she was not so adverse to HAVING friends....
We are going away on vacation at the end of the month, I really cant get anyone on meds till we get back because we wont be around to get them started properly....
the Enzyeme cleaner by Clorox, Oxi Magic, has been the best so far.
I didn't know about the lavender, I have that in the house.
The couch is ruined. I am just trying to extend it's life till we solve the problem, I can't imagine even a serious steam clean will fix it, but I will go that route before tossing...
Back to the OP...I hope you can solve your issues without too much trouble!!!
06-12-2011, 05:07 AM
#29
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NE of Fort Worth
Posts: 2,456
Yes, time is what it takes. I had 2 older cats (the older died at age 14), adopted 5 kittens that a stray mom had. So the old 1 left is adjusting. She'll let them get close but not too close. 2 of the kittens (they're now 1 yr old) like it outside more than in, they can come go as they please.
:thumbup: :thumbup:
:thumbup: :thumbup:
06-12-2011, 05:08 AM
#30
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lexington Park, Maryland
Posts: 1,052
Originally Posted by girlsfour
Cats just do not get along with each other unless they are raised together.
My Bella - the one in my avatar
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