Provided by Buddy and Porky, OCHS
OSWEGO, NY – Dear Porky,
Hi, I have three cats. Two are older, around 4 and 3. The other is about eight months.
My two older cats got along beautifully until about five months ago.
Now for some reason, the eldest cat doesn’t want anything to do with my middle cat. He hisses and growls at him and will even bat at him if he gets too close.
Do you have any idea as to why the sudden change in his attitude towards the other cat? Or what I can do to help them get along again?
Also, my eldest cat does not do this to my kitten. Thought that might be of some relevance.
Thanks, Marcia
Dear Marcia,
Thanks for your email.
You did not mention what sex the kitten is, or if the cats are all neutered/spayed. So, this will be a bit hard to answer.
I talked to my vet about this. He though that perhaps your older cat is jealous of the relationship between the new cat and the middle cat.
There could also be a medical problem with your oldest cat that you need to look into.
If the kitten is an unspayed female, she could be coming into heat and the issue of who is going to mate could be the problem.
If all of the cats are neutered, one of the other issues is most likely the situation. So, first make sure you have your vet do a thorough check up of your older cat’s health.
If everything is OK with the cat’s health, then your best plan to be patient and watchful.
Most times the cats will work out the situation on their own. They may not be best friends, but should be able to live comfortably in the same home.
Don’t worry about them hissing or batting at each other. That is common among cats that normally get along if one is having a bad day.
If they move to all out fighting you may have to keep them separated when you cannot be there to referee. Don’t try to stop their fighting by picking one of them up. Instead, drop a blanket or towel over them or use a squirt bottle of water to break up the fight.
Time and patience will tell if they will once again be friends, and if not, they should be able to live harmoniously together as housemates.
Continue to feed them together and make sure that there are at least three litter boxes to avoid any “temperamental†soiling elsewhere in your home.
Dear Buddy,
How soon after my dog dies should I get another to replace it?
Mitch
Dear Mitch,
Thanks for you email.
You should never think of getting another companion as a “replacement.†That will surely set you up for trouble.
No dog can replace one that you had before.
Instead, think of it as starting a new relationship with a new dog. You will want an appropriate time to grieve.
How long is that?
It is purely an individual choice.
The same day or even week of death is not usually a sufficient amount of time for grieving, so I would not even consider getting another dog during that time frame.
If you have children, their grieving time should also be taken into consideration when deciding on a new dog.
When you are ready to think about having a new family member, make sure that your children understand that this is an entirely new family member, not one that will take the other dog’s place in your home.
It will be harder not to compare the dogs, the shorter the amount of time between the death and getting the new dog.
Take as much time as the grieving process needs. Remember, right now you are still longing for the old relationship you had, not necessarily establishing a relationship with new dog or any dog.
The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County.
Our office is located at 265 W. First St., Oswego, New York. Phone (315) 207-1070. Email: [email protected] Website: www.oswegohumane.org
Come find the new love of your life at our “Hordes of Homeless Kittens†Adopotion Day on May 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tractor Supply Company, in the Price Chopper Plaza in Oswego.
Sometimes we have dogs for adoption, but we always have kittens and cats.
And join us for “Yappy Hour†on June 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Patz on the River, 6 E. First St., Oswego.
There will be “yappetizers,†wine and beer, music by Dam Dog, raffles and door prizes, all for $15 per person.
Weather permitting the Tiki Bar will be open, and you can enjoy the gorgeous river view while you help the animals of the Humane Society.
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