Cat behavior problem

[Mz Pip]

Not sure how to resolve this. I have 3 cats. Wicket is 14, Scully is 11 and Dexter is a bit over 2. I rescued Dexter when he was a kitten and he's grown into a very large gorgeous black cat. He does fine with our other cats though they do get annoyed with his desire to play.

We seem to have acquired a very sweet homeless cat who has taken up residence on our deck. I've seen him around the neighborhood for the past couple of years and figured he belonged to someone. When he moved onto my deck I asked around and no one seems to know who he belongs to. SO I guess he has been moving down the neighborhood looking for a new home.

Dexter hates that cat. I can no longer let Dexter out because he immediately tries to pick a a fight with the new resident.He'll sit in the window or at the door being all agressive and hissy. He got out a couple of weeks ago and I had to break up about 3 fights before I was able to get Dex back in the house. BOth are neutered males. I'd be happy to bring the new guy into our home but not if it turns into some territorial battle.

Any suggestions?

Mz Pip

[roody]

1. I think they will have to take it slow.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Maybe one of those Feliway scent things?

They are supposed to help cats calm down -- maybe if you use that, when Dexter sees the cat on the deck he won't freak out so much.

[Mz Pip]

3. That's an idea.

I'd like to be able to let Dex out but I sure don't want to have to clean up abcesses from fights. Yuck. The other cat seems to consider our deck his territory now and doesn't want to share it with Dex anymore than Dex wants to share it with him.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[rox63]

4. If you can't take him in

are there any good no-kill shelters in your area?

[Mz Pip]

5. I really don't want to take him to a shelter

He's lived in this neighborhood for years and is a "mature" cat. The shelters around here are pretty full. He's seems happy and safe on my deck and I am hoping in time Dexter will stop being such a punk and calm down. I've never had a cat as territorial as Dexter before.

[Withywindle]

6. I think the Feliway suggestion is a good one.

Worth a try, anyway.

I had to move into a cheaper place with roommates this past winter, and my picky, pissy tortie girl Madimi had to learn to share space with another cat, who also had to learn to deal with her. I got one of the room diffusers and it did seem to help cut down on the aggression in both of them. They might have gotten used to each other eventually anyway but I think it did help to speed the process.