Cat owners--please help, I need advice

Ok, here goes...

Some of you may remember that we took in a pregnant stray over the summer. She had her kittens on July 6th. Since then, we've had mama cat spayed and she is still pretty much confined to two adjoining rooms with her kittens. We felt so bad keeping her couped up, so we recently started letting her out around the house.

The problem is, we have one other cat, and my mom's cat is currently living with us until she moves to NC in about a month. Our other cat, Nugget, and my mom's cat are getting along swimmingly. But Delilah (the mama cat) is not adjusting nearly as well as we had hoped she would.

The first couple of times we let her out, her and the other two cats would growl and hiss at each other, but that's as far as it went. The 4th or 5th time she came out, she started to "grow balls" and started getting curious about the other two cats. At first I thought this was completely innocent, but we've seen Delilah pounce on both cats, and both times it was totally unprovoked...the most recent time, she pounced on my mom's cat who was sleeping behind the couch and minding her own business.

My question is...is there ANY way I can get these cats to get along? We WANT to do right by Delilah--we paid good money to have her spayed and microchipped, and we are prepared to keep her--but we can't keep her if she's going to taunt our other cat for no reason.

I understand that she lived in the wild for a few months and might feel the need to protect herself, but I'm discouraged that she sees even a sleeping cat as a threat.

If anyone can give me some good advice, I would GREATLY appreciate it. We DON'T want to give her away--she is a mush when it comes to us--but there's no way we can keep her if she's going to act like this toward the other cats.

Re: Cat owners--please help, I need advice

I have had numerous cats in my life and we took in a stray just like that when she had her kittens. All I can really say to you is, it took time but eventually they just got used to each other and learned to avoid each other or ignore each other. It really did happen but it took time. I am not sure if there is an "ideal" way to do this breaking in period, did you try googling it or something? Hopefully someone else will post but I do know in time they should really not have issues (or she, I should say). She still has kittens in your home, this could be an issue as well, plus she is still hormonal. I would not doubt this plays a role as well. I really hope it works out as this little girl needs you guys, and you obviously love her.

Re: Cat owners--please help, I need advice

it takes time. They will eventually get along.

eta - when me and DH moved in together , along came my cat and his dog who never had been around the other animal in t heir entire life! It was HELL!!! I cried for days thinking they would never get along. Well, now, they tolerate eachother but will never be friends.

What I did - I broke up pieces of chicken , which they both love. Every night I would lure them both to me with the chicken. They were only given the chicken when both of them were present this way they associated eachother's presence with tasty chicken. I think it did help

Message edited 10/5/2008 2:35:08 PM.

Re: Cat owners--please help, I need advice

I am willing to try anything. Thanks to both posters for your advice. Does anyone else have anything I can try?

Re: Cat owners--please help, I need advice

It does take time, they will work it out. There will be some hissing and maybe a little arguement here and there...but everyone will find "their place".

Re: Cat owners--please help, I need advice

They will get used to it - and they will develop their own "system." Its really interesting to watch how they interact with each other. I have 3 cats - two are litter mates, and the third we brought into the house when they were about 4 months old. She was about a year old at the time. She has definitely established herself as the dominant cat - and the other two submit with no issues. She runs after them or pounces on them sometimes. She will hit them sometimes too, but no one ever gets hurt, and no one seems to mind. In the beginning there was a lot of hissing and growling, there is no more of that. Its more play than anything else, although there is a definite heirarchy. They are all very happy kitties. As long as there is no bloodshed, I wouldn't worry. They will work it out.

Re: Cat owners--please help, I need advice

Re: Cat owners--please help, I need advice

Posted by MrsRivera


I was definitely expecting the hissing and growling...but I was NOT expecting the full-on cat fights in my kitchen. I was literally SCARED the other day--Delilah got curious about Nugget, got a little too close for his liking, and she CHASED him around the house. When the smoke had cleared there was no blood, but Nugget was missing big chunks of fur. I'm worried about that. I want Delilah to be happy here, but I don't want Nugget to feel unsafe in his own house.

Re: Cat owners--please help, I need advice

Posted by SweetTooth

Posted by MrsRivera


I was definitely expecting the hissing and growling...but I was NOT expecting the full-on cat fights in my kitchen. I was literally SCARED the other day--Delilah got curious about Nugget, got a little too close for his liking, and she CHASED him around the house. When the smoke had cleared there was no blood, but Nugget was missing big chunks of fur. I'm worried about that. I want Delilah to be happy here, but I don't want Nugget to feel unsafe in his own house.

I understand. My cats chase each other around the house all the time. although there is rarely fur-flying. Nugget will probably learn to just avoid Delilah if she is going to be antagonizing. At worst, they will tolerate each other, at best - they will cuddle and be best friends. Give it a little more time.