I got a new cat on Monday of this week and her,she is about 2 years old, and my other cat,which is about 5 years old, aren't getting along, I know that you have to wait for like a month until they are friends, but my other cat looks depressed!! We got the new cat so she would have someone to play with when we are gone during the day. We've had the older cat for 2 years and she has always been alone. But now with the new cat, she is depressed and wont come near us!! She looks like she wants to be friends with the newer one, but the newer one will hiss everytime she comes near her!!
So my question is, Will the both of them get over it or did I make a mistake getting the other cat?? Please only people that have dealt with a problem like this please answer, I need real help!!
2006-07-27 14:46:15 · 16 answers · asked by Kelley 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
We lock the new one up at night and when we are at work, but when we are home we let them roam the house. Someone told me that this is not a good idea but I can't think about locking up a cat in one room 24-7.
I know it will take some time, I was just hoping there was a way to speed up the process!
Thank you all for answering my question!
2006-07-28 08:17:58 · update #1
Right now you should separate them, try to observe what ach one likes or dislikes, like that you can figure out the problem and then try to them along. However, some cats are different and others are weird, its just like people. Some people are great, others bored, and some funny. Don't worry about it or take it as a problem. Understand their personality and have fun with them, after all were all different in many ways.
2006-07-27 14:51:55 · answer #1 · answered by Peter 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two thoughts here:
1. The older cat needs special attention from you right now. Ignore the new one a little and make sure the older cat knows you love her. It sounds like you have two females there and they may adjust more slowly than a male and female. Put the new cat in a quiet place with food, water, litterbox, etc. and spend some real quality time with the older one.
2. See if you can get the two cats to play together using a cat dancer or a feather toy. This might each their tensions about one another.
It does take time and patience. Cats will pick up on your insecurity about this and it may make their behavior escalate. So relax a little, it is very seldom that they don't adjust and they may not become the buddies you had in mind.
If you are away from home at work or school for many hours I would have the cats in separate spaces for another week or so.
I know some people say to let them duke it out and I feel the new cat is most likely insecure in her new surroundings and doesn't come from a background where she lived with other cats, and your other cat hasn't had this experience either. So they are both experiencing some stress.
Investment in patience right now should pay off for you and the cats.
2006-07-27 14:59:59 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you need to be patient. Cats are not typically pack animals, and they sometimes have personalities that clash. All four of mine had problems at one time, but then they all lived together peacefully. You may have to make an effort to give them both attention alone. The other things you may want to try are getting cat trees and high places for them to sit. A room has a lot more space than just the floor, and cats do better when they can go up to avoid confrontation. You may also want to use Feliway diffusers. They emit the a pheromone that is somewhat calming to some cats.
You have to remember that neither cat asked for a roommate. It may take some time to get used to each other. It may be that the best you get is a truce. But don't give up. Cats can live together well, it just takes time. And hissing can occur for years, even if they get along fine. Mine hiss at each other sometimes, even after 8 years!
Good luck!
2006-07-27 14:53:53 · answer #3 · answered by clovicat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really is to soon to tell. They need to be completly seperated for at least a week. Let them smell under doors. I just introduced a stray, wild cat to my very jealous dog. It took about a month. Now they just leave each other alone most of the time. But at first, my dog wanted to eat the cat. I put up a baby gate after the 1st week only when I was home, and left the door open just a crack..so they could see each other at a distance. If you take your time, it should work out. Sometimes, cats just don't like each other, but as long as one of them is just vicious, it should be ok.
2006-07-27 14:55:42 · answer #4 · answered by RITA G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most definitely! In no time at all they will, in their own way, be best of buds. Your situation is quite common. The new cat hisses because it's in a new environment. Your older cat seems depressed because her/his life has just been abrupt. Just hold on to your patience for a little while longer and you'll see that you have done your pet a favor.
2006-07-27 14:53:33 · answer #5 · answered by SHANNON G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are sveral reasons for that. First is the Age GAp, second is, the rhe older cat might be too jealous of the other and third the new Cat is really a bad cAt!!the new cat of course wants al the attention.
see to it that you will find time to comfort the older cAT. and try to let them play. treat them fairly and make them play with each other. if they really won't co-exist for the next 3weeks.. i think its gonna be forever. but dont worry your gonna be used to that anyway. same way with the cats.
2006-07-27 14:57:30 · answer #6 · answered by apreeL p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should separate the two but not make it seem like the other one is gone.Then rub each cat with a different towl. introduce the kitty-scented towl to the other and allow them to get used to the new smell.They should be friends in no time! Then slowly re-introduced the 2
2006-07-27 15:06:54 · answer #7 · answered by ♡StarGirl♡ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both ladies seem a bit set in their ways. What was the history of your new cat, did she get along with other cats well.. male and female. It does take time.. alot of time..
I gave one of my cats to a friend, who had two other cats. My cat gladly goes to her female cat, but refuses to have anything to do with her male. The male tries so hard to be accepted..
Do you feed them in the same area, close to one another.. how do they react there. Do both cats like catnip..
Ask your vet, they may have alot more ways to bring siblings together
Good luck!
2006-07-27 14:56:41 · answer #8 · answered by sassy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats always adapt to a new cat in the house, BUT, they dont always get along, ever! But, if they arent fighting, or being aggressive with each other, then you'll
be OK, they ll be fine... Just make sure you dont show partiality, cuz they notice it!!
2006-07-27 15:25:41 · answer #9 · answered by Katz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Cats didnt get along at first, but after a few weeks they actually liked each other, it just takes time.
2006-07-27 14:49:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋