When households are combined and strange pets are forced to share, not everyone is always happy with the new living arrangement. An adult cat that is accustomed to being alone will not usually accept new pets in the home. Some are afraid, while others have serious territorial issues. It is possible to help an adult cat adjust and accept new pets in the home. Find out how to deal with food fights, territorial problems and more.
I have been dealing with an adult feline that does not accept my dog and cat. They are new to the home, and whenever they are in her presence, she hisses and growls. She has also lunged, hit and started physical fights. She does not sound like a domestic house cat. On the contrary, her growls are guttural, and she sounds like a puma. It can be very frightening, especially for my ten year old daughter. My pets are new to the home, but they do not deserve to be treated badly. They are not aggressive, and they avoid the mean adult cat as much as possible.
My friend was given advice by the veterinarian, and we discovered other ways to help his adult cat accept the new pets in the home. Try these options, and figure out what works best to calm your household. Pets deserve to live tranquil happy lives, and they should not be bullied by people or animals with attitude problems.
Try Plug-In or Spray Pheromones
The vet recommended trying pheromones to help the adult cat accept the new pets in the home. They are available in plug-in oil and spray varieties, and they are formulated to smell like the natural pheromones of a mother cat with kittens. They work like magic for some, and not at all for others. It is worth a try when an adult cat is not willing to accept new pets in the home. It is a natural remedy, and a one month supply is sometimes all that is necessary to remedy the problem.
When trying to help my friend’s adult cat accept the new pets in his home, the pheromones worked wonderfully at first. The aggressive cat was far calmer, and she seemed to accept the new pets. However, in time the pheromones stopped working. She went back to being as mean as ever. She does not like new pets living in her home, and she goes out of her way to cause trouble.
Provide at Least Two Litter Boxes
The vet also recommended providing the two cats with two litter boxes. Although they do not seem to have a problem using the same box, they often have a problem sharing the hallway that leads to the box. In a multiple cat household where two animals do not get along, provide two litter boxes in completely separate locations. The extra box will make life much easier for the two pets that do not get along. It gives them a second option.
Create Personal Spaces for Each Animal
Other ways to help an adult cat accept new pets in the home can include setting up separate feeding stations. Each animal should also have a personal space for napping, looking out and relaxing. Observe the animals, and after figuring out where each one wants to spend time, provide them with carpeted trees, beds and other furnishings. The adult cat with the attitude problem might never fully accept the new pets, but in time it should at least be able to tolerate the other animals in the home.
Source: Personal Experience with an Aggressive Territorial Cat
