Sorry -- I didn't login the first time I posted...
Hi! I am new! I need help. I have just adopted a third cat and it is a disaster. I have two other rescue cats who I dearly love. They didn't get along at first but are best friends now and have been for a year. My resident cats are 2 and 3 years old. My new one is 5 years old. She is huge (a little bigger than my other two) and the sweetest pet I have ever had. I also have two small dogs and all four of my pets get along very, very well. The new cat is very timid and shy. She has her own room for now and trembles if I get her anywhere my other cats. The dominant resident cat has now started hissing at my other resident cat. No fights but they have always gotten along. When my resident dominant cat gets near the bedroom door where the new cat is, she hisses and growls terribly. She scratched me which has never happened. The new cat is so scared. I love pets so much and getting rid of my newcomer is not an option. So, I need any advice I can get. I want her to have a good home as she deserves it so much. I won't get into her past and the details of it but trust me when I say she deserves a good home. She is so sweet and right now she is very happy to stay in her room. I am praying that she will eventually be accepted my my other cats -- really the dominant one as the other cat is fine. Any suggestions??? I didn't think it would be this upsetting for me. I just want them all to be happy like they were and it's my fault that they are not now. I can't give any away because once I take one in, it's permanent. So, I need other ideas on how to handle the transition. I should also mention that it has only been two days...
Thank you so very much for any advice...
Valerie[/u]
Help! New cat in two cat household -- problem
Re: Help! New cat in two cat household -- problem
Two days. That's a very short time, and I'm sure you expected to hear 'give it some time', which is exactly what I would advice. Patience, love and commitment are the key factors ...
I'm sure you know that cats are very territorial, so this behaviour is absolutely normal now. How long did it take for your other two cats to get along with each other at first? Surely that didn't happen over night.
It's good that you keep her in a seperate room. Leave it like that for now, and let HER decide when she wants to dare to come out and face the other cats - which might start a real fight, so you have to be present whenever that happens. But don't force her to come out.
Which *beep* are your two resident cats? Are they neutered/spayed? If not I would advice you to have them fixed. It would certainly take the edge off the situation.
Make sure that in this transition period you spend even more quality time with EACH of the three of them. Make sure that the newcomer doesn't get lonely in her hide out. Also, keep a close eye on all of them regarding eating. Some cats don't eat when they are stressed and this can lead to serious physical problems.
Lastly, did you have the new cat seen by a vet? You should make sure that she's healthy and all of your cats (and dogs) should be up to date with their vacinations.
Please read also this link about Feline Introductions
http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... php?t=3518
Don't despair! It will take some time, sometimes a long time, but slowly they will get used to the new situation. Good luck! Keep us posted!
I'm sure you know that cats are very territorial, so this behaviour is absolutely normal now. How long did it take for your other two cats to get along with each other at first? Surely that didn't happen over night.
It's good that you keep her in a seperate room. Leave it like that for now, and let HER decide when she wants to dare to come out and face the other cats - which might start a real fight, so you have to be present whenever that happens. But don't force her to come out.
Which *beep* are your two resident cats? Are they neutered/spayed? If not I would advice you to have them fixed. It would certainly take the edge off the situation.
Make sure that in this transition period you spend even more quality time with EACH of the three of them. Make sure that the newcomer doesn't get lonely in her hide out. Also, keep a close eye on all of them regarding eating. Some cats don't eat when they are stressed and this can lead to serious physical problems.
Lastly, did you have the new cat seen by a vet? You should make sure that she's healthy and all of your cats (and dogs) should be up to date with their vacinations.
Please read also this link about Feline Introductions
http://www.cathelp-online.com/forums/vi ... php?t=3518
Don't despair! It will take some time, sometimes a long time, but slowly they will get used to the new situation. Good luck! Keep us posted!
Thank you so much! I can't believe I forgot to mention that all of my pets are females and all have been spayed. Also, they are all up to date on shots. The new one has had shots and has been spayed as well. I still have to take her to the vet which is another reason I am keeping her separated.
It took about four weeks for my first two to get along. The only difference is that my first cat only hissed once ot twice and there was not any growling like this time. But, the second cat was smaller. I wonder if that matters...
I'll keep you posted and thanks again for the article.
It took about four weeks for my first two to get along. The only difference is that my first cat only hissed once ot twice and there was not any growling like this time. But, the second cat was smaller. I wonder if that matters...
I'll keep you posted and thanks again for the article.