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Q.: Hi - and thanks for a both informative and entertaining site. I am writing this (long) mail to get some good advice or at least some suggestions as to what goes on between my cats. We live in a two-bedroom apartment.
A couple of years ago I got Miksi, a now nine-year-old slightly neurotic (neutered) female with both charm and style. I got her from some friends who in turn had gotten her from a cat rescue. She has never been much for petting, if it is time for cuddling, she wants to lie where you can only just reach her by stretching out you arm. But then she will enjoy it for a short while, until she has enough and sinks her teeth into you! If you put on a wool blanket for a cozy time on the couch, it is as good as certain you'll have a cat on you thighs. And at night she has always enjoyed to be in the foot of the bed.
A little more than a year ago I began to be a lot away from home because of my job, and Miksi was bored - and complained, when I left. On several people's advice I decided to get another cat. Off to the cat rescues, and home came Oskar, a charming and playful male neuter a little older than six months. Their bringing together was carried through using all the tricks of the trade - they had separate rooms with a chink open, so they could smell each other, they swapped , so they could explore each other's scents etc. etc.
After a couple of weeks I let them together and this took place with a lot of screaming and yelling. I was quite shocked, but cat experts among my friends told me this was normal. After a couple of months' fighting, the frequency of the "arguments" had sunk to a couple a day, and they were now able to eat side by side and to lie sleeping less than a meter apart on the couch. Good friends they have never become - Oskar is playful little terrorist, Miksi doesn't care for that kind of hullabaloo, and when Oskar suggested a quick little tag, he would receive hissing and growling, often followed by a sharp "hobnailed" paw. He would now and then take revenge by pure mobbing actions - "aha, an unsuspecting cat is passing - SLAM". None of them have ever been hurt apart from the fact that Miksi's fur can now and then be found in small lumps here and there, and that Oskar's nose is often "decorated" by a distinct scratch. During the whole process I have paid much attention to Miksi so she should not feel "rejected".
Six weeks ago I then fell in love with yet another feline. It was certainly not planned, but I met chalk-white Albert in a mucky apartment (the litter tray was indescribable), and as this family were not allowed to keep him and his mother in the apartment, he had to be either given away or put away. I was completely gone on him - a really affectionate, playful youngster of some six months had to be the perfect match for Oskar who would then be able to find an outlet for his bully tendencies.
I took Albert home and repeated the procedure of bringing cats together. He is gentle and affectionate, and Oskar and he were immediately very interested in each other. Miksi thought it was a strange idea to introduce him in the household. But after a couple of days I thought it safe to let them be together.
The bringing together was without any bigger problems. Oskar and Albert made to playing, Miksi marked her limits by hissing and growling, all in all things went without too much trouble compared to the last time.
On the veterinarians advice I took Albert to the local clinic a couple of days after he had settled down. He was neutered, tattooed in the ear, vaccinated and examined, isolated at home and then let together with the others when he was ready.
He at once felt at home here. He capture the others' favorite places with complete naturalness, ate from all bowls on the principle "first I empty my own, then the others' - and the two others looked indulgently at it. After a short while he and Oskar started to play. They race after each other through the apartment overturning everything that's in the way. They fall on each other and tumble around in a heap. And they lie in wait for each other and make ambushes to each other's great delight.
Lately the situation has changed, however. Oskar has begun chasing Miksi, who reacts by becoming nervous and "hysterical" - she growls and hisses if he only approaches. Sometimes her reaction seems unfounded, other times it is clear ambushes from his part. Albert doesn't seem to be any real threat to her - with him she just marks "so far and no longer."
Oskar and Albert are still playing merrily. They have begun licking each other a little, but lately Oskar has almost tried to mate Albert! He bites him in the neck, climbs on top of him and makes "mating movements"! What is going on? Albert doesn't seem to suffer any injury, he turns around and slaps Oskar in his face, when he has had enough of it. But .... but why this behavior from Oskar?
I have read a lot about cats who relieve themselves around the house because of behavior problems, and now the problem has come to me, too! Twice "cozy" wool blanket has suffered, and a couple of times my laundry has been as a toilet. And a couple of times I have found droppings in dark corners.
It has to be mentioned that they have three litter trays which are cleaned thoroughly and often. All three cats are in good health. And I have no idea who might be the "sinner".
There are several hiding places here, but could it be a good idea to buy some cat dens, so there would be more hiding places? I use a water atomizer as a "means of bringing up" when one of the cats is on the dining table. Should I use it on Oskar, when he chases Miksi, or should I let them handle their fights themselves, even though Miksi gets nervous and insecure? Should I try get hold of Serene-Um which has been mentioned? Feliway?
What a long story, and what a lot of questions! Hoping for a little response.
A.: It sound as if the power balance in the pack has become unstable, which is very usual, whenever a new cat is introduced. This also happened the last time.
At the moment it looks as if Oskar is trying to hold down Albert a bit, so he doesn't get wise ideas about assuming power. Mating behavior among males often has something to do with ranking. Oskar therefore also engages in power struggles with Miksi, because he is now in a spot as the middle cat age-wise. Without laying my head on the block I would expect that it is Oskar (or maybe Miksi) who is responsible for various "unauthorized droppings".
You may either choose to let things handle themselves, then they will sooner or later fall into place with a new ranking order.
Or you may try to spray the apartment with Feliway in cat height. This will damp down the tension a little (but in turn "prolong the agony"). You may also choose only to spray where you find urine or droppings in order to avoid damage on the apartment. You should wash the places first to allow Feliway to fasten properly.
To sum things up I'd say that actually it is Oskar more than Miksi who is in most stress at the moment. Miksi and Albert apparently don't have problems worth mentioning with each other, so they have apparently settled their mutual relationship. This is why Albert has two sides to settle his ranking towards, and he will probably also manage eventually. After all he doesn't sound like a "weakling", neither physically nor psychologically.
Good luck with your new pack - promise me to write again, if you don't think things have improved within a month or two.
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