I got a second cat back in April and it's been drama drama drama.
I followed suggestions online.
Kept them separated.
Slowly introduced them.
Bought pheromone calming diffusers.
Both are neutered males. My old cat is 11. The new one is probably 2yrs or so.
I've tried to do what I can but ultimately, they don't like each other and I don't think they ever will.
Here it is 4 months later and at least once a day, the newer cat Noir attacks my old cat Paxton.
Usually tries to sneak up on him when he's sleeping and put the smack down on him.
My old cat also has poor vision and is , well old and a little overweight so it's not a fair fight. Almost always I see Paxton roll over on to his back with his legs out.
I don't know if this posture means something other than defensive. Submission?
I've tried using a water squirt bottle to deter Noir. And it will definitely chase him off, it doesn't seem to stop him from making these attempts.
Every now and then the older cat initiates the attack.
The attacks are usually short but that's because I am always there with the squirt bottle to break it up.
It's honestly incredibly exhausting. I work from home and it feels like all day supervision.
They also definitely try to antagonize each other multiple times a day. Blocking each others path. Following each other around. Stalking , hissing.
Should I just let them duke it out?
Should I keep intervening with the squirt bottle ?
Will two cats who don't like each other ever learn to just give each other space ?
Also I swear they both be farting a lot when they fighting. Is that a thing ?
What are some of your experiences with two cats who hate each other ?
Please tell me the drama will chill out.
As others have said, cat fights are noisy. When your two cats fight, what does it sound like? Is it generally silent with some huffing and thuds as bodies hit the floor? If so, that is most likely just play fighting. If there is hissing and growling, then someone is pissed. If there is screaming and yowling, then you're staring down the barrel of a vet bill.
Which situation you are in determines how to respond. If it's quiet, let them play. Keep the squirt bottle handy and only use it if tempers start to rise and someone growls or hisses. As someone else mentioned in this thread, you want their interactions to be positive. Don't squirt unless someone is getting pissed off.
If they are growling and hissing at the start, then you need to separate them again and start over. As the goal is to make them like each other, try to put them where they can smell and interact. Something like a large dog crate might work as long as they are not both starting fights. The aggressor cannot start fights unless the second cat comes within reach. This allows them to see and maybe sniff each other while minimizing the chance one will hurt the other.
While separated, or when loose but being chill and not fighting, give a little treat to each. Make sure it is something really tasty that they both like. Give first to the older cat, and then to the new cat. You don't want your old cat thinking the new cat is getting better treatment. If they are not physically separated, take care not to let them get in a fight over the treat. For example, pick up your older cat and give them a treat on a counter or something. Then set them down, pick up the other cat and repeat. Do it this way until you are sure the treat won't start a fight.
When you give the treats, make sure that they can both see the other get the treat. Also, nobody ever gets a treat unless everyone gets one. That way, if you're consistent and maybe a bit lucky, they will start to associate the presence of the other cat with the treats and not with getting in fights. Do not give any treats to anyone if there was a fight of some sort in the recent past. You don't want to risk them associating treats with fighting.
Good luck!
Yeah it's real fighting. Yowling. Hissing. Growls.
Not playing.
I try to give them each a lot of individual attention. I've tried to get them to play with a wand toy at the same time.
Ive tried using treats to get them to play near each other.
At night I keep them separated since I can't supervise them or if I have to leave the house.