Halp! My Cats PISSED!!!

[Proxy]

Alright, I've moved into my new place now. Cat and all, but I've a small problem... The couple that owns the house have 2 cats already. As it stands, I have to keep my cat locked in my room. Other wise he'll strut around the house hissing/spitting/growling non-stop. He's a BIG cat to. 26 lbs on his last weigh in and he can comfortably reach my waste with his front paws. I'm 6' btw.

I find the constant growling amusing, but after doing this for three days straight, add the fact that if anyone but me tries to pet him. Or even walk by,(with in 6') he will maul them. My flat mates are concerned.

He really is a nice cat, and I've never had this problem w/ him when he was at my apt. He'd still strut around and occasionally maul for the sake of attention, or just to go a few rounds. He's been taught how to box. But thats it.

Any ways... What can I do to help him calm the f' down and mellow out like he was at my apt??? HALP!!!

[Numbers]

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/security2020/taserimage.jpg

[diethx]

How big is your room? If it's really small, i'd be pissed off too. Anyway, you have to slowly introduce new cats to each other. You can't just throw them right in together and expect them to be okay. Every day for a little while, let your cat out of your room, but make sure you are able to stay home and watch his interactions with the other cats and with your roommates. It can take him some time to get used to his new surroundings.

[kallindra]

Basically what diethx said is right... they need time to adjust.

You should give your kitty time to wander the appartment with out the other cats loose, so he can explore as well as get used to their scents, then he should be gradually introduced to the others, always where you can watch them both, with plenty of escape routes on both sides... and maybe a broom or a thick coat if anyone has claws.

Cats are odd critters, they take a great deal of time to aclimate to new settings, but with enough time he'll calm down.

[Proxy]

I let him wander for an hour or two(space of a movie) every day now. Aside the constant hissing he really doesn't pay the other cats much mind. Just will stop wandering sit down and glare/growl at them until they back down.

There is this one fluffy little white lap cat that will not leave him alone though. Runs and hides when he's out, but as soon as he gets put back into my room, she'll run up and tries to fwap at him from the crack under the door. He mostly ignores this though.

He doesn't have front claws, but he hits hard enough to bruise if he gets you square on.

[Necromancer]

There're some "kitty calm" things you can get to put in your cat's water that will help.

The big thing is for your cat to get used to the scent of the other cats- sounds like that process is underway. Since your cat is the one with the problem, make sure that no other cat is allowed in your room. Your cat will need a spot to go to that has only familiar scents (scents are everything to cats- it's their primary sensory input. It's like sight to us) that can serve as respite. Make sure your cat has a different feed bowl and litter box and don't try to force anything. It's usually an issue of time, but if you force things and don't keep your cat as relaxed as possible it could turn ugly permanently.

[kallindra]

cats aren't stupid, the little one will get beat up a few times, but get the point eventually, just watch to make sure it never crosses from just enough beating to get the other cat to go away, into blood and fur everywhere.

[Killer Kitten]

If you can get some Rescue Remedy, that might help. Four drops in his water bowl every time you change it, available at most vitamin/health shops.

I'm figuring all of the cats in the house are fixed, if not I'd start there.

Cats take their sweet time getting over things. He'll get used to the concept of other cats, and they'll get used to him. In the meantime, tip his claws with Soft Paws, or at the very least keep them well trimmed.

[Allereli]

I don't know much about cats, what the hell kind of cat do you have? That's one massive cat

[Gan]

Lots of catnip.

[CrystalTears]

Lots of catnip.
Nice. Gan is suggesting to keep the cat stoned. You're such a pusher.

[Gan]

Nice. Gan is suggesting to keep the cat stoned. You're such a pusher.

Miracles through modern pharma.

In this case, its not so modern. But effective! :)

[diethx]

lol, catnip is a baaaad idea. My two girls get along fine and only play fight these days. Except when I put down a pile of catnip. Oh man do they get territorial. Growling and hissing and smacking and tufts of fur floating through the air (no blood though thank goodness). When I put down two piles, they still want to fight over just one. Silly bitches. It's fucking HILARIOUS to watch though.

[zhelas]

I don't know much about cats, what the hell kind of cat do you have? That's one massive cat

Agreed. Is it a Maine Coon? My folks have one and he is enormous.

Yours is a male cat and it sounds like one is a female and the other a male. It will take time for the male cats to adjust. Each will endup having their own space.

Hopefully the cats are all neutered. Still spraying may become an issue.

[Proxy]

I don't know much about cats, what the hell kind of cat do you have? That's one massive cat

a big freaking orange cat with long hair. He even has a mane. I think he's a tabby??? Either way I'll post a pic when I get to unpacking my camera.

both the other cats are female. the one thats not getting involved is so old the only thing she cares about is finding a lap to sleep in and pur. The white one is the other.

oh, and there is this yipping chiwawa dog in the house to, its male and seems to never get tired of getting the shit smacked out of him.

[Allereli]

a big freaking orange cat with long hair. He even has a mane. I think he's a tabby??? Either way I'll post a pic when I get to unpacking my camera.

sounds like a lion cub to me

[Sean of the Thread]

http://www.myspaceantics.com/images/funny/free-cat.jpg

[Stretch]

Whenever I've had cat problems, they usually end up dead.

[Sean of the Thread]

I'm never getting another cat again.

It's been that bad.

Thank goodness my rich ass neighbor took my black cat of doom Reno over from me out of kindness and love when he required literally thousands of dollars worth of care so far. Happy for that.

[Asile]

If it makes you feel any better, my cat and I moved in with my mom and her cat 7 1/2 years ago, and the cats are still together...and occasionally still hiss at each other. So it may never end.

And you may want to call your local Red Cross chapter (http://www.redcross.org if you have no idea where it is) and ask if they offer the Pet First Aid course, or at the very least get the Pet First Aid book (sells for about $15 I think). It's a fun class to help you know what to do on the way to the vet, and taking it made Mom and me feel better about the cat fights.