We were
hoping you would be able to help us with our cats. We have three cats
and two don't get along. We adopted Moose, a male, and Daisy, a female,
within a few months of each other. While Moose became very comfortable
around people, Daisy remains skittish and is nervous around people. In
September we adopted another female, Zazzy. Moose and Zazzy get along
without any problems, but Daisy has never accepted Zazzy. At first Zazzy
would chase after Daisy and there would be hissing, growling and fur
flying. Now Daisy stays in the bedroom by herself and only comes out if
we carry her. Do you have any suggestions to help ease their friendship
or a way to get Daisy to calm down?
Pheromones such as Feliway can help ease stress. Feliway is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone, used by cats to mark their territory as safe and secure. Using this product in the house would help both cats. Flower Essences and other natural supplements can help both cats adjust to the change and be less fearful.
Positive reinforcement, feeding and giving treats to Daisy when she is being tolerant of Zazzy, may help with repetition. Giving Zazzy other outlets for her curiosity may also help. Tall cat towers are great because they give her the opportunity to play and be able to look around rooms from multiple angles. Another good option might be window perches that allow her to look outside and become fascinated with birds and squirrels. Toys with catnip can also stimulate play and excitement in cats, which might help Zazzy be less interested in Daisy when she is roaming the house.
As a last resort, your veterinarian may prescribe a medication for one or both cats to help reduce their stress. Unfortunately, there are some multi-cat households where the cats never get along and have to be kept separated. This is more common than we would like to see, but it appears that cats are happiest this way if they cannot get along with other cats in the home.
