New cat, old cat isn't a fan
Discussion
We took in a new rescue cat last Sunday as an addition to our original rescue cat who we have had for 2 years. We didn't think it would be too much of an issue as our original cat lived with other cats before we got her and got on fine with the other cats near us. However, she has gotten all upset at the introduction of our new cat. He has tried to get on with her, going up to her slowly to say hello (I guess lol) etc, but she just hisses at him. The other issue is that she now hides in the kitchen all day, only going out at night. She doesn't really venture into other rooms in the house like she used to.
I haven't had cats before but my wife has, but I expect that some of this is normal behaviour? Will there ever be a time when the two will live in some kind of harmony? lol
I haven't had cats before but my wife has, but I expect that some of this is normal behaviour? Will there ever be a time when the two will live in some kind of harmony? lol
We had a similar situation with our cats.
We had a pair (brother and sister) who got along fine, then she was unfortunately run over. We got another kitten as we thought the older one might miss having a companion. They never got on very well at all.
Eventually it became an uneasy truce but they would never be in the same room as each other.
We had a pair (brother and sister) who got along fine, then she was unfortunately run over. We got another kitten as we thought the older one might miss having a companion. They never got on very well at all.
Eventually it became an uneasy truce but they would never be in the same room as each other.
You need to do a slow and proper introduction not just throw them in the mix together. Keep them separated for a while. Swap some blankets or toys so they can smell each other. Swap rooms so they can smell each other in different rooms. When it's feeding time try feeding them at opposite ends of the same room. Accompany them in a room and give them both some treats. You have to build up the interaction slowly.
They're highly territorial animals. That reaction is normal. They will probably work it out eventually. Our old ginger tom hated the kittens when we brought them home. Eventually he could be found curled up asleep with them. The kittens were sisters, and gradually became more hostile to each other. Then got on better. Now they get on fine.
Ask your vet about Feliway, and possibly Zylkene.
Ask your vet about Feliway, and possibly Zylkene.
edc said:
You need to do a slow and proper introduction not just throw them in the mix together. Keep them separated for a while. Swap some blankets or toys so they can smell each other. Swap rooms so they can smell each other in different rooms. When it's feeding time try feeding them at opposite ends of the same room. Accompany them in a room and give them both some treats. You have to build up the interaction slowly.
^^^ This.Try letting them see one another on either sides of a baby gate, while fussing each one and giving high value treats.
You also need to think about the other resources in the house so the cats don't feel as though they're in competition. Litter trays, scratching posts, water bowls, vantage points, and beds all need to be provided in the ratio of one per cat, plus a spare. You also need to think about the number of entry/exit points to the house so one cat can't 'guard'.
Finally, patience. It took six months to integrate our two rescues, but you also have to allow for the possibility that some cats just won't ever get on.
Quick update. They seem to be more tolerant of each other now, at least they were until the new cat decided that last night was a good time to go missing.
So now we are stuck at home looking for him / waiting for him to come home rather than going out as originally planned. Hopefully he comes back soon.
So now we are stuck at home looking for him / waiting for him to come home rather than going out as originally planned. Hopefully he comes back soon.
ICallCustard said:
Hope the cat returns home soon.
In a similar situation to yourself and also found it hard going, lots of scent swapping etc. but it's just taking a long time.
Thanks, likewise. In a similar situation to yourself and also found it hard going, lots of scent swapping etc. but it's just taking a long time.
I think he has gone myself, he's rarely left the house before, and having wandered around the local area he's no where to be seen. He usually comes when we shake a bag of treats so we know he isn't close by. He was a rescue stray, so it looks like he has probably strayed again. He is microchipped so there is the possibility he will end up at a vet etc. There are lots of cats in our area so it is unlikely that he has been poisoned. It's just massively out of character. Our other cat barely goes out of our garden, she just likes to hide under the decking. He isn't there, already checked.
Here is the cheeky chappie, he's mega affectionate.
The following may help...
Put their used litter tray (& contents if your vaccum) outside, they can smell it for miles & help them find their way home
Go out looking late at night & early morning - your voices (& theirs) will travel further.
Knock neighbours doors & ask them to let you look in garages/sheds as if he's scared he may hide from the stranger but cry out to you
Make a flyer & post it thru letter boxes
Contact all the local Vets & rescues with the flyer (update them when he's found).
Good luck
Put their used litter tray (& contents if your vaccum) outside, they can smell it for miles & help them find their way home
Go out looking late at night & early morning - your voices (& theirs) will travel further.
Knock neighbours doors & ask them to let you look in garages/sheds as if he's scared he may hide from the stranger but cry out to you
Make a flyer & post it thru letter boxes
Contact all the local Vets & rescues with the flyer (update them when he's found).
Good luck
Thanks for the tips Ali.
We have logged him as missing with Pet Log and local Cat Rescue. We have left his litter tray out.
We have been wandering around but no luck. We are about to have another wander. We have checked with our neighbours and they have checked their garages etc but he isn't there.
He is a noisy but quiet cat. He meows like mad when he wants food but will be quiet most other times. I aren't even sure he would meow if he heard us, unlike our other cat.
24 hours missing now. I know it's not a long time but to a cat who never went out for more than 10 minutes this is quite long.
We have logged him as missing with Pet Log and local Cat Rescue. We have left his litter tray out.
We have been wandering around but no luck. We are about to have another wander. We have checked with our neighbours and they have checked their garages etc but he isn't there.
He is a noisy but quiet cat. He meows like mad when he wants food but will be quiet most other times. I aren't even sure he would meow if he heard us, unlike our other cat.
24 hours missing now. I know it's not a long time but to a cat who never went out for more than 10 minutes this is quite long.
We had a similar situation, thought cat would like a friend, didn't think to ease them in gently. Old cat hated new kitten (and us) for about 6 months. Luckily, I think we had the bravest kitten ever and she didn't give a sh*t about the old cat being a b
h and just carried on with life regardless.
They get on better now, but I think old cat would prefer to be on her own.
h and just carried on with life regardless. They get on better now, but I think old cat would prefer to be on her own.
Thanks all.
We had a false alert earlier. A guy thought he had found him, but there are 2 or 3 other cats locally that look similar.
My wife is quite upset (as am I, but she is more of the cat person) and I hate seeing her upset.
We have currently offered a £100 reward if someone finds him.
We had a false alert earlier. A guy thought he had found him, but there are 2 or 3 other cats locally that look similar.
My wife is quite upset (as am I, but she is more of the cat person) and I hate seeing her upset.
We have currently offered a £100 reward if someone finds him.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff