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Q: WE have recently adopted a stray cat. Unfortunately our family cat, also once a stray, has not taken kindly to the newcomer and is acting aggressively towards him. What can I do to make
both cats accept each other? A: IN your letter you say that they are currently ensconced in different rooms. This is a good start as it will give the newcomer time to adjust with his own
litter box, food and water. It will also gives you time to make sure that the newcomer isn’t carrying cat fl u or another type of disease. Next take a clean handkerchief or cloth and rub it
over the resident cat’s face and chin. This collects pheromones, the scent that all cats produce when marking territory which has a calming influence. Then leave the cloth near to the
newcomer when he is feeding. If he sniffs at it give him a treat. Likewise, rub a clean cloth over the newcomer’s face and leave it near to your cat. MR BOUNCY CAT - THE FUNNY CAT WALK HOP
The first face-to-face sighting could be at feeding time with the door between them ajar, so that they can see each other without the possibility of a fight breaking out. If all goes well
you can progress to a short session in a room together. If a fight should break out do not intervene or you could be bitten. I think an interval of about a month should be a reasonable time
for them to get used to each other. You can also reduce stress with synthetic versions of calming pheromones available in both spray and diffuser form. See feliway.com * David Grant MBE was
a vet at the RSPCA Harmsworth Hospital for Animals. Write to him at Express Yourself, 10 Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6EN. He is unable to enter into individual correspondence.