PsychoSukey

Earlier this summer, I had a problem of misplaced aggression with my 2
cats, Sukey and Riley. I posted here about it, got good advice for
reintroducing, and seemed to have solved the problem. After
reintroduction, we had a month of normal, peaceful life.

Almost 3 weeks ago, it reoccured. Sukey saw a neighbor cat outside, and
turned on RIley (I've tried restricting sight lines, but it's limited
because of the proximity of the townhouses, the different levels in my
house and out, and the need to have good ventilation in the
90-100degree heat we've had, sans air conditioning). After this bout, I
Immediately went into the reintroduction routine, but progress is very
difficult. I think the difference this time is that (1) Riley stood his
ground, so Sukey is not the cocky victor she was last time, and (2)
both cats drew blood.

Here's my problem, it's easy to get the cats comfortable being near
each other in lock-up. They readily meet at the barrier, eat near each
other, sniff through the barrier, even play with a toy together at the
barrier. They each act like they want to be together.

First time together after lock-up: RIley acted like he wanted to play
with Sukey, and she took it wrong, so back to square 1 for a few days.

2nd time: Riley ignored Sukey, but zoomed up his scratching post (floor
to ceiling) and Sukey took it wrong (hiss, growl, chase to ground), so
back to square 1. This time I called a behaviour specialist and got
good tips on getting Sukey used to seeing Riley being active. Now in
lock up, lots of time getting Riley to play rough and tumble in Sukey's
sight.

3rd attempt to introduce: I played with Riley while Sukey watched, she
joined in a little and then zoomed up scratching post. Riley zoomed up
too, but they didn't break into a chase :-) But Sukey walked into
another room, and when Riley appeared at the door, Sukey growled and
hissed, so back to square 1. Now I allowed 4 days of lots of
interaction between barrier.

4th attempt to introduce (today): Both cats showing lots of desire to
be together, so I allowed. Fed both, Sukey seemed really comfortable
for 5 minutes. Riley looked like he wanted to play, and Sukey growled
and hissed. They're separated now, and Sukey hisses whenever she hears
Riley.

Now, the therapists had said when I let them together, I should start
by holding Riley still while Sukey does what she wants, and when that
goes well, do the reverse. The problem is, neither cat wants to be
held. They neither are lap cats, and they especially don't want to be
held when the other is out. Riley in particular is wanting to
socialize, because he misses it more. Sukey was more independent all
along. I'm seeing if the therapist has any more ideas for the first
steps in the same room, but I'd like to hear ideas from folks here,
too. I'm really discouraged. The cats are getting good and sick of
lock-up, too, so it's getting a little harder to manage. (I use two
rooms, my sunroom and my guestroom - both are roomy and are places the
cats ordinarily love to be - they just don't like the restriction. They
are on a rotating schedule of either 7 hours of daytime lock-up or 10
hours of nighttime lock-up)

Thanks for your tips and support.

Becky, Sukey and Riley

Try Feliway Spray.

Some cats (despite our best efforts) just don't care for one another,
hopefully over time will tolerate eachother. JJ

"Rebecca Root" wrote in message
news:2005080618530116807%rroot@indracom...
Earlier this summer, I had a problem of misplaced aggression with my 2
cats, Sukey and Riley. I posted here about it, got good advice for
reintroducing, and seemed to have solved the problem. After
reintroduction, we had a month of normal, peaceful life.

Almost 3 weeks ago, it reoccured. Sukey saw a neighbor cat outside, and
turned on RIley (I've tried restricting sight lines, but it's limited
because of the proximity of the townhouses, the different levels in my
house and out, and the need to have good ventilation in the
90-100degree heat we've had, sans air conditioning). After this bout, I
Immediately went into the reintroduction routine, but progress is very
difficult. I think the difference this time is that (1) Riley stood his
ground, so Sukey is not the cocky victor she was last time, and (2)
both cats drew blood.

Here's my problem, it's easy to get the cats comfortable being near
each other in lock-up. They readily meet at the barrier, eat near each
other, sniff through the barrier, even play with a toy together at the
barrier. They each act like they want to be together.

First time together after lock-up: RIley acted like he wanted to play
with Sukey, and she took it wrong, so back to square 1 for a few days.

2nd time: Riley ignored Sukey, but zoomed up his scratching post (floor
to ceiling) and Sukey took it wrong (hiss, growl, chase to ground), so
back to square 1. This time I called a behaviour specialist and got
good tips on getting Sukey used to seeing Riley being active. Now in
lock up, lots of time getting Riley to play rough and tumble in Sukey's
sight.

3rd attempt to introduce: I played with Riley while Sukey watched, she
joined in a little and then zoomed up scratching post. Riley zoomed up
too, but they didn't break into a chase :-) But Sukey walked into
another room, and when Riley appeared at the door, Sukey growled and
hissed, so back to square 1. Now I allowed 4 days of lots of
interaction between barrier.

4th attempt to introduce (today): Both cats showing lots of desire to
be together, so I allowed. Fed both, Sukey seemed really comfortable
for 5 minutes. Riley looked like he wanted to play, and Sukey growled
and hissed. They're separated now, and Sukey hisses whenever she hears
Riley.

Now, the therapists had said when I let them together, I should start
by holding Riley still while Sukey does what she wants, and when that
goes well, do the reverse. The problem is, neither cat wants to be
held. They neither are lap cats, and they especially don't want to be
held when the other is out.


Try putting them in harnesses. If another person is available, let him/her
hold one of the leashes while you hold the other. If not, tie one leash to
a stationary object and let the other cat approach the tied cat. This way,
at least the cats can't attack and injure each other- which would only
exacerbate the problem. If a fight ensues, you can easily pull them apart
without being injured or the cats injuring each other.

Sometimes the relationship is never the same after a major fight. I really
hope no permenant damage has been done to their relationship.

Good luck,

Phil




Riley in particular is wanting to
socialize, because he misses it more. Sukey was more independent all
along. I'm seeing if the therapist has any more ideas for the first
steps in the same room, but I'd like to hear ideas from folks here,
too. I'm really discouraged. The cats are getting good and sick of
lock-up, too, so it's getting a little harder to manage. (I use two
rooms, my sunroom and my guestroom - both are roomy and are places the
cats ordinarily love to be - they just don't like the restriction. They
are on a rotating schedule of either 7 hours of daytime lock-up or 10
hours of nighttime lock-up)

Thanks for your tips and support.

Becky, Sukey and Riley