Here’s a question I’ve wanted to ask you about your Gen Pop kitties: How do you persuade them to all get along? Or do they? We have a hard enough time with 3 kitties – they are constantly harassing each other and stressing each other out (especially the smallest of the three, who for some reason has become the alpha cat and an absolute terror to the others). I can’t even imagine what it’s like with 11+, or do cats start to get more social when they’re in that large of a group?
Some of our permanent resident kitties get along very well, but some of them don’t get along at ALL. What drives me the most crazy is that none of the other cats like Joe Bob at all. He was our foster for a while when we lived in our previous house, and he and Tommy and Sugarbutt played together all the time, even curled up and slept together. When we brought him home two years ago, we assumed they’d still get along well, but that unfortunately hasn’t been the case, and I don’t know why! My only advice is to make sure that they’re each able to have their own space (Joe Bob spends a lot of time outside, but when he’s inside, he has claimed the top of the bookcase in the kitchen, and the other cats pretty much leave him alone when he’s up there) and if you see a spat brewing, step in and separate them before it escalates.
I don’t know how well it works, but you might try the Feliway plug-ins. Feliway is supposed to help calm down stressed cats, and a lot of people have recommended it.
Anyone else have suggestions? Feel free to leave ’em in the comments!
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Steely Dan and Fagen love to spend their days on the cat tree in the front room.
They also love glaring at me, obviously.
I was on the couch watching Lost yesterday (I LOVE YOU SAWYER!), and had my electric throw over me, and at some point I realized that someone was snuggled up to my leg. Imagine my surprise when I looked and saw Dan, snuggled up, happy and warm, and sound asleep.
Silly boy.
Then last night I was watching more TV, and looked to see that not only was Dan snuggled up to me, but so was Fagen! I consider these two scaredy-cats conquered. No cat can resist the allure of the heated throw!
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Drum is the snuggliest boy on earth, I swear. As soon as I sit down, he’s on my lap demanding love.
M’Lynn keeps a wary eye on me.
Sweet Clairee.
THLURRRRP
Guess who just so happened to be sitting at my feet yesterday afternoon? And guess who I picked up, and not only did she NOT fight me, she snuggled right into me. I’m sure the formerly skittish M’Lynn would claim that she was drunk off the sunlight pouring into the room or dopey from the warmth of the room, but I do believe she’s a snugglebug at heart.
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Jake, showing off his loony side. (ALL sides of Jake are his loony sides!)
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Previously
2009: Samba always looks like she’s smiling. I want to just pick her up and squeeze the stuffing out of her.
2008: I think he’ll fit right in.
2007: No entry.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.
Is it just me, or does Drum look like he has huge eyelids?
He kinda does, doesn’t he? I never noticed before!
(The better to see you with, my dear!)
Ok, they are all total cuties. I am glad that they are all becoming more friendly – that is a good sign.
Jake does look a little like he is plotting something.
As far as cats getting along – I would love to hear suggestions – mine only get along at breakfast and dinner. Otherwise, at best they tolerate each other for short periods of time.
Oh, that picture of Jake makes me think of Jack Nicholson for some reason! too funny.
Those plug ins are made for dogs too, they work great for our beagles on loud holidays like 4th of july, but you have to have it on in an enclosed area!
So good to see Dan and Fagen have warmed up, and oh my those magnolia’s – cute!
I will have to recommend the plug ins for dogs to my sister and I should try them too. I could use something to help with the seperation anxiety when I leave. They aren’t very destructive Thank God but they bark like maniacs and cling when I get back home. I leave music on for them-easy listening to calm them down. I think it helps a little but the minute they hear the car it’s flip out time.
The pictures are beautiful!!! Yep, everyone can get along, someone has to be the boss cat and set the expectations…in our house Dad is the boss cat. Sorta like the dog whisperer except for cats.
Over the years, I’ve had as many as 9 cats at one time. I always found that there are “laid-back” cats and “hyper-alpha” cats. The Alphas will never, ever get along with the others, period. The laid-back cats will just roll with it, never be an issue. And maybe this is just my prejudice, but the females always seem more “bossy/alpha” than the males — even altered, neutered/spayed. I have 2 females now, and they literally HATE each other. Barely tolerate each other’s existence.
I do agree on Robyn’s advice: intervene in cat fights before they escalate.
We do have a Feliway plug-in diffuser. I’d like to think that it works, but it’s hard to tell, since it’s one of those things where you’re judging its efficacy by the /absence/ of certain behaviors. It’s like, “Well, maybe they’d smack each other around more if the Feliway weren’t there, so I guess we’ll keep getting it.” 🙂
I wish all cats got along as well as your pics of Tommy and Sugarbutt snuggling!
dang, wish i knew about that feligway thing a month ago…
that picture of dan is precious! i got a heated throw too (clearance at target!). i’m hoping one day to get all 5 cuddled in with me on it.
I’ve been reading and loving this blog for awhile, thanks so much for sharing. Also been wondering about cats getting along, after losing one of our two beloved cats, we adopted a rescue kitten through the vet clinic. The older alpha female growls, hisses and swats at her at any provocation. The kitten is not aggressive, just wants to play SO bad! There aren’t any heated fights at least yet, so that’s good. Guess they might never be best buddies, but at least can tolerate each other. Bonus, they each like the other’s food better than their own (yes, I do try to feed the kitten food for kittens…!).
Best wishes for your recovery next week, and for the adoptions of Dan and Fagen.