- Joined
- Mar 31, 2020
- Messages
- 31
- Purraise
- 36
Hello lovely cat people! I really need some advice...
We ended up adopting our foster, Moxie, who has been with us since last March. She was found on the street at age 1 pregnant. She had 5 healthy babies before coming to us. Her maternity fosters thought she was feral, but she has been affectionate with us since day two. She's a bit feisty, super vocal (and LOUD!), and demanding when it comes to pets and treats.
We felt she needed feline companionship because of her 'neediness' and desire to play all the time - especially as we gear up to go back to the office more frequently and travel a bit more. Plus, we have a fairly large apartment in NYC and wanted to take in another rescue.
Cue Mocha. We adopted a second cat from a small rescue. She's also female and was also found on the street at age 1 - sadly with her brother, who had been hit by a car. She had been at a foster's for about a year when we got her early in January. We were told she was super shy and not sure of people, but LOVES other cats.
We tried to do everything right - a textbook introduction with scent swapping, eating on opposite sides of a barrier, etc. but Moxie would not stop growling/hissing/attacking Mocha. We then started over with a new, slow introduction. Same outcome. Mocha is more submissive/interested in Moxie, but Moxie makes horrible noises and goes after her. No injuries (yet). Moxie is also more aggressive with us now.
It's been three months, and we have tried:
- Three separate, very tall cat trees in all rooms - though Mocha doesn't seem to realize this would put her out of harm's way
- Tons of hiding places
- Creating positive experiences when near each other (feeding special food, treats, brushing)
- Feliway Classic, Multi-cat and Optimum
- Comfort Zone spray
- Several brands of calming treats
- Rescue Remedy
I've searched/read a lot of older posts, but was wondering if there was any lesser-known tips. Someone mentioned using a collar bell on the aggressive cat so the other ones knows when she is around. Wondering if anyone has ideas like that? Otherwise, I think we'll have to go to the vet and see if we should take the medical route :-(
We ended up adopting our foster, Moxie, who has been with us since last March. She was found on the street at age 1 pregnant. She had 5 healthy babies before coming to us. Her maternity fosters thought she was feral, but she has been affectionate with us since day two. She's a bit feisty, super vocal (and LOUD!), and demanding when it comes to pets and treats.
We felt she needed feline companionship because of her 'neediness' and desire to play all the time - especially as we gear up to go back to the office more frequently and travel a bit more. Plus, we have a fairly large apartment in NYC and wanted to take in another rescue.
Cue Mocha. We adopted a second cat from a small rescue. She's also female and was also found on the street at age 1 - sadly with her brother, who had been hit by a car. She had been at a foster's for about a year when we got her early in January. We were told she was super shy and not sure of people, but LOVES other cats.
We tried to do everything right - a textbook introduction with scent swapping, eating on opposite sides of a barrier, etc. but Moxie would not stop growling/hissing/attacking Mocha. We then started over with a new, slow introduction. Same outcome. Mocha is more submissive/interested in Moxie, but Moxie makes horrible noises and goes after her. No injuries (yet). Moxie is also more aggressive with us now.
It's been three months, and we have tried:
- Three separate, very tall cat trees in all rooms - though Mocha doesn't seem to realize this would put her out of harm's way
- Tons of hiding places
- Creating positive experiences when near each other (feeding special food, treats, brushing)
- Feliway Classic, Multi-cat and Optimum
- Comfort Zone spray
- Several brands of calming treats
- Rescue Remedy
I've searched/read a lot of older posts, but was wondering if there was any lesser-known tips. Someone mentioned using a collar bell on the aggressive cat so the other ones knows when she is around. Wondering if anyone has ideas like that? Otherwise, I think we'll have to go to the vet and see if we should take the medical route :-(