Two cats

[nohorn]

My daughter had one cat. She introduced two additional cats. One of the additional cats is being attacked by cat #l. She is very shy and doesn't defend herself. She also does not have claws. It is very bad attack, you have pull one cat off of the other and she will do great damage to the one without claws. So far my daughter has been fortunate is keeping them apart. If the gate separating them opened when they were at work, the shy cat would probably be dead when she got home. Any suggestions in how she can make one cat not be so vicious or to accept the new cat. This has been going on one year. Individually they are all quiet docile cats. The second new new cat gets along fine with boss cat #1. This psychology is very puzzling. I know my daughter just wants the cats to get along? Can't we all just get along? Has anyone else had this problem with intro of cats? Thanks

[Answerprancer]

Cats are very territorial, introducing new ones will always be an 'art'.
Good luck.

[woofgang]

not a cat owner but I visit a site where there are lots of cat owners including folk who breed cats. Consensus seems to be that some cats will just never get on. sorry :-(

[pastafreak]

Maybe a Felaway diffuser will help the more territorial cat calm down?

[boxtops]

This is a really difficult one, and always hard for the cats - who are used to a hierarchy. I got No.1 Son as a kitten - so he is my baby (although now 11) and he and his siblings were always anxious and he still is. A female kitten then moved in and they got on well. Stray Rover (slightly older male) then joined us - all 3 were tabbies - all was fairly OK until the female got run over then No 1 started to really resent Rover. Black Spot later moved in from next door but he doesn't really care about anything, he knows he's a cat. However, years on, we still have constant problems between the two big tabbies - No1 Son always runs away and swears and hides, he just hates Rover even being. Rover is a gem and a funny cat but he will chase at every opportunity. Like these, each of them on their own is lovely!
I'm afraid it's a case of security for your first cat - she was there first and as a female may naturally be more timid, and the others are real threats to her in her own home. Introducing a new adult cat is always a risk - if I were your daughter I would have a word with the vet, Feliway may help the cats' tension.
I am however really sad to see that the unhappy cat has been declawed - I think this is a dreadful thing to do. Some people do it to save their furniture but it means that puss has no way at all to defend herself, or to catch things running past her - personally I'd never do it unless there was some medical reason.
I do hope this helps - I know all too well what it's like living with a bunch of disputing felines.

[nohorn]

Thanks to all of the above. We will keep working on it. Yes I agree about not de-clawing cats. It should be banned, outlawed, etc. It is not right. Humans think they are so rightous just because we are at the top of the totem pole.

[karenmac60]

Sometimes grooming them with a pet glove, and using the same glove on the 2 who are not getting along can help. It transfers their scents onto one another and helps them become more tolerant - especially if the grooming makes them calm.