I have a problem. Our 1st cat is 2.5 years old & we decided to adopt another cat 1 month ago. She is approx a year old. I read the posts about how to introduce them, so far nothing is working. The old cat was curious & stood by the bedroom door & hissed. The new cat meows. I did the safe room, the slow introductions, etc. The old cat runs & hides & the new cat looks for the old & chases her all over our home! She is visious & scares the old one to death!
So I got the nerve & did the treat idea with the tuna. NOPE these cats are not happy. Neither of them would eat, just growled & hissed. Now my old cat wants to hide all the time. The new cat is so loveable, so comfortable here & then WHAM she sees the old cat & goes nuts on her! What am I to do?
They are both fixed, the old one is declawed, the new one is not. I have a 4yr old & a 18mth old who flips out when these cats start the chasing scene & I don't want to get rid of them, I had hoped they would become best friends.....hmmm...PLEASE help, I am clueless & have never seen a cat act like this. In the adoption shelter she was surround by other cats, in & out of their cages & she was just fine. The old cat finally got so scared today she stayed in the basement, then tongiht crawled in baby bed & was sleeping under a pillow! This is so pathetic, help!!!!
Crystal-Mommie Cat to (old) Patches (tortie) & Molly(new) (?long haired)
Old cat afraid of New cat :(
Re: Old cat afraid of New cat :(
The introductions may be going fairly well, but it may still take time for these two to learn how to tolerate one another.
Two things:
1) The younger cat should be given a time-out when you catch her chasing your other kitty. She needs to learn this behavior is not acceptable. The time out should only be about 10 minutes at a time in a closed room. With a few time-outs, she should soon learn that chasing the other kitty isn't going to reward her good behavior.
2) Try spending more time actively involving yourself with both of them in the same room....with playtime and activity. If they are engaged together in some sort of play or activity (with your interaction, involvement) on a regular basis, the older kitty may learn to tolerate the younger one and be more accepting of her. They both need to earn each other's trust, and the older one needs to feel safe and secure in the environment, not intimidated or apprehensive. With playtime, the focus will be more on the activity as opposed to focusing directly on each other. When the older feels less threatened, she may warm up to the younger one sooner.
This will take some time, effort, persistence and patience on your part. Be involved with them to encourage them to be accepting of each other when they are in the same areas together.
Two things:
1) The younger cat should be given a time-out when you catch her chasing your other kitty. She needs to learn this behavior is not acceptable. The time out should only be about 10 minutes at a time in a closed room. With a few time-outs, she should soon learn that chasing the other kitty isn't going to reward her good behavior.
2) Try spending more time actively involving yourself with both of them in the same room....with playtime and activity. If they are engaged together in some sort of play or activity (with your interaction, involvement) on a regular basis, the older kitty may learn to tolerate the younger one and be more accepting of her. They both need to earn each other's trust, and the older one needs to feel safe and secure in the environment, not intimidated or apprehensive. With playtime, the focus will be more on the activity as opposed to focusing directly on each other. When the older feels less threatened, she may warm up to the younger one sooner.
This will take some time, effort, persistence and patience on your part. Be involved with them to encourage them to be accepting of each other when they are in the same areas together.
..........Traci
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Lindacarroll
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:17 am
- Location: Maryland
Re: Old cat afraid of New cat :(
I can relate with this scene all to well. I had a 8 year old calm easy going cat when I got my kitten (at the time of gettin him I had no idea what a pistol he was)
He got pure joy out of chasing and scaring my poor older girl to death. I used a squirt gun on him when ever I could. I agree with the other post that he needs to learn that this is NOT exceptable. It has been two years now since I got him, and I am sorry to say that they never bonding (unfortunately my older cat just died yesterday)... but they DID get better towards each other. Never loving, but no so mean. I also found that it helped my older cat to have a place that she could go to feel safe that was all hers. I would shut the bedroom door during the day for her, or leave the kitten in a room with the door shut so that my older cat could have the house. When I was at work I always seperated them for quit a long while. It wouldnt be till I got home that I would let them interact (so that I could intervene if need be)
So, be patient, but also look out for your older cat, she needs to still feel and be safe! Best of luck!
He got pure joy out of chasing and scaring my poor older girl to death. I used a squirt gun on him when ever I could. I agree with the other post that he needs to learn that this is NOT exceptable. It has been two years now since I got him, and I am sorry to say that they never bonding (unfortunately my older cat just died yesterday)... but they DID get better towards each other. Never loving, but no so mean. I also found that it helped my older cat to have a place that she could go to feel safe that was all hers. I would shut the bedroom door during the day for her, or leave the kitten in a room with the door shut so that my older cat could have the house. When I was at work I always seperated them for quit a long while. It wouldnt be till I got home that I would let them interact (so that I could intervene if need be)
So, be patient, but also look out for your older cat, she needs to still feel and be safe! Best of luck!
-Linda
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guest
Re: Old cat afraid of New cat :(
Thank you for the advice on our kitties. I know this will take some time but lord is it a pain in the $%##!!! I am being patient & doing everything that you all have read. I wish the old cat would feel like the queen again & come out of hiding! In time....I know.
Another question, this new cat has several scabs on her back around the tail area & the hair is thin. Is this stress? It's not scratches or bite maks from thier fights, looks more like where shes digging. Maybe a hot spot?
She is just SO different than any other cat I've had. My husband says she is bipolar! MEN..ha ha! Again thank you in advance for any advice
Crystal
Another question, this new cat has several scabs on her back around the tail area & the hair is thin. Is this stress? It's not scratches or bite maks from thier fights, looks more like where shes digging. Maybe a hot spot?
She is just SO different than any other cat I've had. My husband says she is bipolar! MEN..ha ha! Again thank you in advance for any advice
Crystal
Re: Old cat afraid of New cat :(
The scabs and fur loss could be anything from mites, fleas, to stress or food allergies, best to have her examined by your vet to ensure there is no hidden health illness. If you haven't had her seen since you adopted her, it's best to do so now. Don't rely on the shelter for any verbal confirmation of an exam, shots, etc...your primary vet should examine her promptly.
..........Traci