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-   -   Need advice from folks with multiple cats (https://www.quiltingboard.com/general-chit-chat-non-quilting-talk-f7/need-advice-folks-multiple-cats-t129733.html)

Sadiemae 06-11-2011 08:53 PM


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!)

Are you sure that one of them is not spraying out of frustration? When I had my Burmese(sp?) she would spray if anything upset her. I called her my Statue Cat, because she was to be seen and admired-but as far as she was concerned 'DON'T TOUCH'! The odor is far stronger if they spray than if they urinate.

Sadiemae 06-11-2011 08:56 PM


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)

Where can I get the plug in things or even the spray? I'm desperate!!!!!!!!!!!!

Petsmart! And then if you like it order more from Ebay- much better pricing!

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.

Rose_P 06-11-2011 10:04 PM

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.

virtualbernie 06-11-2011 11:54 PM


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.

My girl has her own litterpan but when the boys get downstairs, they eat her food and poop in her pan! I think they know it irritates her :-) . They know how to open the basement door and actually wait until I'm asleep to sneek down. She won't use the litterpan anymore until I dump all the litter out and put fresh in.

girlsfour 06-12-2011 04:06 AM

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....

Stitchit123 06-12-2011 04:11 AM

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

deedee75 06-12-2011 04:51 AM


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.

When I traveled across country moving my cats, I purchased a product called Calm-eze so they wouldn't be horribly upset by the move and long RV. I'm pretty sure it was for dogs also.

aliaslaceygreen 06-12-2011 05:06 AM

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!!!

ljptexas 06-12-2011 05:07 AM

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:

jrhboxers 06-12-2011 05:08 AM


Originally Posted by girlsfour
Cats just do not get along with each other unless they are raised together.

Sorry - I disagree. I have been doing rescue for YEARS. And I have been handraising orphans (pups and kittens) for over 6 years. No matter the age or sex - they will ALWAYS work it out. Now, how the work it out is in different ways. Their way of working it out may be to just ignore the others. But they do work it out in the manner that is best for them.

My Bella - the one in my avatar <<<< was the last one added. It did not go well for the first couple of months. But now they are all one happy family. It took a while but they definitely love each other.

Let them work it out - what ever that means for them. Like I said before - trim nails while the intros are going on. Cat scratches are more likely than bites that break skin.

OH - and try not to over react when they are fighting. The boys will take that as meaning that you support them in their fight and it will never end.


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