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- Mar 14, 2016
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When they "fight" how do they act after? Does anyone hide? Avoid the other cat? Avoid any areas of the house? Is there a change in their behavior after the "fight" and for how long does it last?I just have two cats, B and K. They do fight, in fact B has a scratch on her ear now from K. K only attacked us once when she saw the stray, when I do see the stray before them, I take the dog into another room behind closed doors so that K doesn't redirect to him because she has. They usually fight when we're asleep, K tries to get to where B is and B hisses and swats and K does the same. B just wants K to leave her alone and K does not want to leave B alone. It reminds me of siblings bothering their other siblings and just being a pest. B doesn't ever seek out K, but K seeks out B. B would prefer to be an only cat, K would prefer to have another cat to play with and when you mix the personalities it's not easy going.
But yes, they've been eating side by side for years. I read on how to introduce them when I got K, who at the time was still being bottle fed. It seemed to go fine but I guess it didn't.
"B doesn't ever seek out K, but K seeks out B." - By seeking out you just mean wanting to be near or play? Or does she seek out to attack to fight?
"I read on how to introduce them when I got K, who at the time was still being bottle fed. It seemed to go fine but I guess it didn't." - I disagree. They eat together. That is very successful. They haven't really hurt each other. Again, very successful.
How long is B spending in the dog crate? Or under the bed? Cats can sleep hours and hours a day. So it is really how she moves around the house. If she is slinking, afraid, tail down, avoiding areas, etc then a quality of life issue needs to be worked on (which we are doing).
Just really work on playing with B and feed treats either. When they are together distract K so K doesn't bother B as much and that will build B's confidence. Make those positive associations between them using food and positive encounters.
We'll get there. B does not seem like a "shrinking violet" so I think she is better than you may realize though I understand it is not perfect.
I really don't think you should be so hard on yourself. We will improve the situation but I think you have done a good job so far.
Just keep us up to date and ask anything anytime. We are going to make things better.