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.
I have a long couch that my old cat does use sometimes to get from the front door towards the hallway door if the young cat is hanging out in the main living room floor area.
I have a dining room table that also splits up the floor into two paths to get to the hallway entrance.
I don't think I have room for any additional cat structures. The wheel takes up a lot of room. (I'm considering donating it to the local APL or another shelter). But even if I get rid of it I do not have room for another tower.
The old cat rarely gets on it anyway.
There is a built-in cabinet under the windows in the dinning room. I have a cat bed on the left one and a pillow on the right side with cat grass in the middle. My old cat does like his bed on the left. But since that's started being the main spot he gets ambushed, he's been avoiding it lately.
In the bedroom there is also another spot near a window on a dresser where I have another cat pillow. But they both prefer to be in the main living room area during the day. Where I am.
The space really is maxed out for cat enrichment.
They honestly have plenty of spaces.