helping old cat deal with new cat--what to do??

17 years ago

I can't seem to find the advice I'm looking for. We just adopted a young adult female cat (Molly) from the local shelter.....we already have a 3 year old female at home (Jojo), both are fixed. 5 months ago we lost our first cat Baby (she was FIV+, went into liver and kidney failure...it was awful....anyway) and it was the first time Jojo had ever been alone, so we wanted to get her a buddy. Even though Baby didn't particularly like her, Jojo was always submissive and trying to play with/give a bath to Baby, followed her around, etc. So we thought she'd like a new friend. Well, the new cat has adjusted beautifully, it's like she's always been here, not jumpy or grouchy or anything. Jojo on the other hand is a nervous wreck. I haven't seen the new cat go after her or even hiss, but poor Jojo runs and hides when Molly so much as looks at her. Jo was always very playful and curious prior to this and now she's afraid to leave our bedroom. All the advice I've been finding is how to help the NEW cat adjust, when what I need is advice on the OLD cat! Both cats are about the same size; we've been trying to give special attention to Jojo, praise/treats/letting her sleep under the covers with us, you name it, but she seems to be getting worse, not better. She can be nervous with new people, and generally responded with aggression when she's scared (like at the vet's office). The way she's acting now isn't anything like herself :( Does anyone have any suggestions?? I feel horrible that she's so upset and I don't know how to help her! Thank you for any, any, any advice......

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Comments (9)

labmomma
17 years ago
Leave your older cat be. She will adjust to the new addition in her own time.

I am assuming that you have the new cat cordoned off with its own litter and food? Good idea to do so until everyone is at peace with one another. It also gives your other cat a chance to sniff at the gate of the room where the new cat is being kept. Or, if you shut a door to the room, put up a baby gate when you can be around to supervise what's going on. If you haven't kept them separated, your cat may be angry if the new cat is using its box and food.

How long have you had the new cat? We had the same situation this summer and it was horrible for 1-2 weeks. After that period of time all was good. My cat would not even let us touch him while he was adjusting to the new addition. I just left him alone until he came to me, which he eventually did. If your cat welcomes your attention, then give it, but if it doesn't don't be concerned. The existing cat has her nose out of joint and will get over it in her own time. Don't reinforce her behavior by extra attention since she may think you are rewarding her for acting out regarding the addition.

Have patience and keep your sense of humor. I am always optimistic. Cats seem to work things out - may take a little while.

Keep posting on the cats' progress.
webkat5
17 years ago
Yes, please review the following post...another member had the same question a couple weeks ago.

Here is a link that might be useful: Why can't they get along
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Bethany873
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for a link to that post :) I did see it in a search but didn't realize what it was pertaining to. We have had Molly for a week and a half....she was kept in her own room upstairs for 3 days and then we introduced them. They have seperate food & water dishes and litter pans, in separate rooms. Maybe I'm stressing too much over this and should just back off and let them deal. My little girl is stressed out, so I am too :)
webkat5
17 years ago
3 days is not near long enough...normally 2 weeks is recommended....I would separate them for at least a month if your cat is sulking.
pranjal
17 years ago
Bethany, our older cat behaved the exact same when we brought a new cat of the same size into the house. The older one was practically living in the duvet, emerging only for food and water and the litterbox. Made me a nervous wreck, seeing that she would actually cower when she saw the new cat. The vet said to let her decide when she wanted to get out and befriend the newcomer. In case things got too aggressive, the vet said to use Felifriend (a hormonal spray;smells horrible, but seems cats like it) and rub it on both the cats, though I'm thankful things didn't get to that level. Took Oldie about 20 days to get used to the new one.

Good luck, and keep us posted.
oddity
17 years ago
We have a ten year old female and we adopted a six year old male after our 11 year old male passed away. We kept them seperated for about 4 days and even though Oscar was very submissive to Dana, it was about a month until Dana stopped hissing at Oscar. Then another few weeks before they started playing together. Now after another few weeks they sleep very close to each other on the bed or couch and I never hear a hiss or a growl from either one

It takes time. It was over 6 months before my mom's older cat started getting along with the new addition.
HU-648973642
2 years ago
By searching for this question, I found the answer. Take away all blankets in the house except for beds, and they have to be washed each week. The smell of the new cat is what causes your older cat to want to fight the new one. You have to remove the new cat smells and wash your cats with same ingredients. I would put a little vinegar in the wash and use the dish wash, Dawn. Scrub your cats fur with the Dawn. Half cup of vinegar in the water to get the smell of the cat gone. The reason my cat has fought with 15 cats I brought for rescue is the new cat smell, no matter what you might have washed her or him with. Easy
HU-648973642
2 years ago
Wash all the blankets in 1/2 c. vinegar and detergent for the smell
HU-648973642
2 years ago
Older cats cannot be with new cats, because of the smell the new cats leaves on blankets, and other things. Wash the new and old cat in the small amount of vinegar and Dawn Rinse

helping old cat deal with new cat--what to do??

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helping old cat deal with new cat--what to do??

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