Not friendly with my other cat, and she bit me

by Patty
(Warren, Michigan)

Kiki and dog Rosa

We have two cats that found us. Kiki was first 4 years ago. Life was good. One day, about a year later I was trying to unlock and open the door at work when a screaming black and white cat came rushing in. I work at a school.

Poor thing was hungry. I fed her. Tried to get someone to take her, but no such luck. She jumped in my lap and purred until I saw she was loaded with fleas. I started picking them off her, when all of a sudden she bit me. She struck me like a rattle snake. I did not know what to do, but I knew she needed love.

I took her to the vet, and $300.00 later we own Cruella Deville. I did not want to bring desease or fleas to my existing dog and cat, so she was left at the vet until they were sure she was fine.

I could not wait to introduce her to Kiki. Problem is Kiki didn't want to be introduced. He was in my husband's arms and started spraying and wanting to get away.

Cruella was 6 months feral, and used to street life, and because of her biting me, I have been afraid of her hurting Kiki. She is fine with our dog. We have been keeping them apart for 3 years now, although we have tried letting them get acquainted through a small opening in the door, or by putting one or the other in the cage. They both are showing too much aggression.

What suggestions should I try? I thought about getting 2 harnesses and controlling the fight to an extent, but I do not have the heart to witness that kind of behavior.

So here we are. We have and upstairs and downstairs cat.