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Conference misery::feline

Title:Meower Power - Where Differing Opinions are Respected
Notice:purrrrr...
Moderator:JULIET::CORDES_JA
Created:Wed Nov 13 1991
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1079
Total number of notes:28858

579.0. "Help with a dilemma." by EBYGUM::WARNESG (This space deliberately left blank) Mon Aug 02 1993 09:30

	Hello,

	I thought I'd ask fellow FELINE noters for their ideas to help me
	out of a dilemma.

	Currently I have a 5 yr old spayed female cat, Squiff.  I have owned 
	her since a kitten and she was the runt of a litter.  She is very
	friendly with people, but aggressive towards other cats.  She is
	too small to handle herself in a cat fight and ends up being
	bullied by her neighbourhood "peers".

	Now the problem.  My fiancee lives only 4 doors away and owns her
	own cat, Amber.  Both mine and my fiancee's house have cat flaps
	for convenience.  Amber has taken to coming around to my house
	when noone's around (except Squiff) and bullies my cat mercilessly.

	I know this happens 'cos I find fur around and have caught her
	coming in on numerous occasions.

	I plan to sell my house very shortly and this poses the real problem.
	I don't think there is a chance these two will be able to live
	together, given the history of fighting.  Even if I try to move
	Squiff in with Amber, my former home is only a few yards away, so
	Squiff will probably try to remain at the old address.

	I am thinking in terms of finding a new home for Squiff, unless
	anyone can think of anything to try.  I'd be particularly 
	interested in others who have overcome similar problems.

	Graham Warnes

	PS: Amber is quite friendly with other cats, she just hates mine !
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
579.1MORLEY::CARRDave Carr 845-2317Mon Aug 02 1993 10:0610
Graham,
As you know, we have 2 cats, and I often find clumps of fur when they've
been "playing" together (though of course they have grown up together).
Are they actually at the point of injuring one another - are they drawing
blood?
Perhaps they have already started a process of determining who will be the
dominant cat in the shared territory...?

Best of luck,
Dave.
579.2EBYGUM::WARNESGThis space deliberately left blankMon Aug 02 1993 10:5714
    
    
    Hi Dave,
    
    Yes, I'm afraid it's real "to the death" type stuff when they meet.
    
    Your theory about the territorial thing is interesting.  The problem
    is that although my cat is aggressive, it is a master of being able
    to slip away into some hiding place too small for (let's face it
    slightly plump) Amber to follow.  I guess the territorial struggle 
    never gets resolved, which must be frustrating to Amber who would
    I'm sure, become the dominant cat if she were only given a chance.
    
    Graham
579.3POWDML::MANDILEmedium and messyMon Aug 02 1993 11:4815
    
    I have a similar problem.  One of my outdoor cats is the most
    timid thing, and every cat in the neighborhood intimidates and/
    or beats the heck out of her.  My other outdoor cat started to do
    the same thing, picking on her and driving her away.  I made it
    quite clear to her that the other cat was welcome, and was not
    to be bothered.  This took a lot of effort on my part, as I had
    to interfere whenever I caught her stalking the timid cat.  I
    would toss a glass of water at her, chase her off, pick her up
    and shut her in the barn, etc. etc.
    It has worked well, to the point where she will leave her alone
    to eat in peace, at least if I'm around! (8  The timid cat was actually
    owned by a house about 3 houses down, but she was actually starving
    to death, because she was so timid....