Cat Chat Feline Forum

We recently adopted a Siamese kitten, now about 8 months old. We already had 2 other non-Siamese cats, both about 5 years old. Siamese is a neutered male and the other two are spayed females. We have had the cats together for about 4 months and they still don't get along. The Siamese will attack the other cats as soon as your back is turned. Biting and pulling on the older cats under the chin and neck, repeatedly attacking the other cats when left alone. We have tried separating for periods of time, hours and days, but still continue the same behavior. The Siamese will not let the other cats eat or peacefully exist in the house. One of the older cats has some health issues that make it not so agile and cant always get away from the Siamese to avoid the attacks and afraid she will be seriously hurt. I cant stand to have the Siamese locked away in a room for days on end but I wont jeopardize the health of the other cats.

This sounds pretty extreme, and a miserable situation for everyone, that you've been enduring for some time without much improvement. Your Siamese sounds both dominant and very stressed, and is taking it out on the others who are now equally unhappy.

I hate to say it but there are simply some cats who hate other cats, and for the sake of everyone's sanity they are sometimes better rehomed to a household where they are the only cat. I know our first aim should always be to do all we can to try to make these situations work, but if you and all three cats are miserable with this arrangement, then it's time to change the arrangement. I suspect, from what you say, that however much you love your siamese, everyone, including him, would be happier if he was in a one cat household.

I do understand that this may not be the answer you were looking for, and the emotional wrench it would be saying goodbye, but it's not always an admission of defeat. It's an acceptance of the facts and finding a way to resolve it to the best possible outcome, ie a happy ending, for all.

It might be worth you having a chat with local rescue centres, who I'm sure would have little trouble finding a home for a pedigree siamese. Some specialise in pedigrees, so they may be able to advise you.

If this is unthinkable to you, have a look at these links and see if they help at all.

http://www.catchat.org/cat_aggression.html

http://www.catchat.org/hierarchies.html

You could also try Feliway diffusers, and/or Bach Rescue Remedies, Zylkene or Naturacalm (from your vet), but while these may help him cope better, possibly to the point that they learn to tolerate each other or even live in harmony, it doesn't address the underlying causes for his behaviour, which may be more difficult to fathom and then resolve.