Should a new female rescue cat be kept away from the resident female cat?
My Mum rescued a cat and her kittens 10 weeks ago. The kittens have lovely homes now and 'Tashi' has been spayed and she is going out in the garden. She was violent towards my Mum's cat until she got at her. They had a quick noisy argument and now they tolerate each other in the garden....just. Mum is keeping them apart in the house. I think this is the wrong thing to do! Any advice! Mum says that she doesn't think she will be able to keep Tashi if she coninues to be violent towards the older cat.
Public Comments
1. she should have kept them apart in the beginning, for at least a week. there are two reasons for this.one: you need to make sure that this new mama cat is not bringing diseases along with her kittens to your mom's home. she could get her other cat sick. it takes at least a week to recognize symptoms and determine if a new feral cat is healthy or not.
two: the new cats need time to get used to the smells and sounds and sights of the new house. you could even keep her in a large kennel in the house for her to get used to the smells and for your older cat to smell her. if you put them together right away, the older cat will only recognize a new cat invading her territory and they both will be aggressive.
also, when a new cat is introduced into a home, they will always fight or disagree in order to establish a hierarchy. only one can be the queen cat and they will fight it out until one of the cats relinquishes.
2. Hopefully the rescue cat has been neutered, given shots and bloodtests and cleared so she doesn't give your other cat a fatal disease. Yes, it makes sense to keep fighting cats a part and slowly introduce them to each other. Food dishes on opposing sides of the door, etc. Giving resident cat extra attention to show her you still love her best(even if not true, she has to believe that.) After a week crack the door open to see if they will behave. Exchanging blankets so they get used to each other's smell, etc. etc. See below.
I'm a strong believer in keeping cats strictly indoors. They are safer healthwise, not getting hit by car-wise, and no fleas = no worms, =everyone's cleaner. It's hard to see them wanting to go out, but cat trees, windows, extra playtime are better than a dead or sick cat.
3. It doesn't hurt to keep them apart when she is away.
Cats are like any other animal in that one will try to establish dominance.
If Tashi starts trouble, correct her in a firm voice so she knows that is not allowed.
They will eventually be fine with each other.
