2 weeks ago we introduced our 2 female cats to my roommates male cat (who he says is neutered and is approx 5-6 years old adn quite large, purebred bengal cat) The problem we're having, is we have to keep the females locked up at night, so the male can do his thing, and during the day, we lock the male up so the 2 females can do their thing. We're at our wits end. how can we help them get along or at least tolerate each other. My females are living in fear, and it's become very stressful. Getting rid of either of the cats is definitely not in the cards.
Any help would be apprecaited.
Answers:
Hi Amanda.research has shown that a single hostile encounter between two unfamiliar cats/kittens can set the tone for their relationship for a long time to come. Adult cats have a more difficult time with introductions. So to prevent the Bengal from getting off on the wrong foot with your two cats, plan to introduce them gradually. Remember to spend plenty of quality time alone with your two cats in order to minimize jealousy and stress. At first, do not allow face-to-face contact between the three cats. Instead, follow these steps:
1. Confine the the two cats to a room (door closed) while the Bengal explores the rest of the house. Then switch their places. This allows them to become familiar with each other's scent.
2. Keep the cats in separate but adjoining rooms for several days, continuing to switch places every day. You'll need separate litter boxes at this stage, and depending on the cats' preferences, you may want to continue to maintain two litter boxes for them after the introduction is completed.
3. After a few days, crack open the door separating the three cats. Prop it open a couple inches so they can see one another but can't make full contact. Once they tolerate this limited contact, open the door a bit wider. If they start to backslide, go back to step 2.
4. When the three cats seem comfortable with limited exposure, try feeding them on opposite sides of the same room. Then return them to their separate quarters. After a few days of common mealtimes, they may be ready to share the same living space. Remember to let them set their own pace and never force them to be together. Keep them separated when you are not home to supervise until you're certain they can tolerate each other's presence. It may take several weeks or a month or two before they reach this stage.
Stressed cats tend to feel a lack of privacy with a new pet animal in the home. Consider using a location which is quiet and secure away from the cats until both have adjusted to being around one another a few months from now.
Another note.it's helpful to play with your two kitties and if Bengal wants to join in it will help all of them become used to one another. Be sure to offer fair play time to each so there's no jealousy. Cats are naturally territorial and see a new cat as an intruder.
Are you sure the cat is neutered? How long have the cats been living together? I have had the same problem with pets and it took about a week or two for everyone to get used to each other, they now know their boundaries.
Cats always have territorial and dominance hierarchy issues. They are going to have to let them work these out, unless you plan to continue with your present system.
One option might be to shut all 3 cats in a room together for 2-3 days, with food, water and a litter box, until they can work out the issues. You'll have to go in there to feed, water and change their litter, of course. As long as they all think they can depend on their human counterparts for tactical support, they will continue to fight. If you shut them in together (provide a soft bed for each one), they'll have to work it out themselves. If you do this and they start fighting again in a major way afterwards, then put them back in the room for a full day each time.
I know it sounds crazy, but it should work for you. The male cat can still mate, even if he is fixed, though he would not be able to breed them.
I'm going to elaborate a bit now. If you decide to try my suggested approach, all the cats should be placed into a single room, in isolation from the rest of the house, to work through their problems. People will come in to feed and care for them, but be careful, when you come in to give them a little loving and hugging. All cats should be loved equally during that time, so you should work it out with your roommate.
Once we had 5 cats in the house (all females) and dogs, who tend to be the enforcers of what they perceive as bad cat behavior. Eventually, one of the cats gained dominance by growing larger, and by becoming friends with the dogs. We even had a fight once between the two dogs over "their baby" - the dominant cat.
Another option might be for you to keep your cats locked in your bedroom for a week, before you let them out into the common area. That way, the male cat will know they are still around, but he won't feel threatened about his territory directly. Eventually they can work out their problems.
Good luck to you all.
The other thing that I've had work in situations of introducing a newcomer to the others, is to put the single cat in a big cage or a big dog sized crate, with the back half covered so the animal in the cage can get to the back and feel safe. Then they can see, smell, hear each other, but not hurt each other. Sometimes some cats simply won't get along, but two weeks is way too short a time to tell. It may take a month or more for them all to adjust. I have ione female and one big neutered male that don't get along, in a group of 8 in the house, and when he comes into the bedroom, she leaves. She used to fear him, but now its like they have an understanding, taking turns to be part of the group that always likes to congregate on my bed (and sometimes likes to try to hog the middle of the bed!)
the male cat has become the dominant cat in the pack, which is always what happens when there is more than one cat: one dominant and the rest are subservient. Especially if the two girls have "moved in on" the male's home. If the male cat is not actually hurting the others, it might just be one of those things they have to get used to each other. All cats are possessive of their space and that's pretty normal.
start spraying him with a water bottle everytime he goes near them or stats to be mean to them
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