I adopted my cat from a shelter about 6 months ago. She was very scared and was hiding for a few months. She finally got used to me, but she was still scared of my husband, and when he would come home, she would run and hide. Well yesterday, I brought home a 7 week old girl kitten. So my cat started hissing and growling at her and at me, then she ran away and hid in the laundry room under the cabinets. So my husband is now telling me that he wants me to take the older cat back to the shelter because he hates her, and she hates him. And he wants to keep the baby girl kitty because we will raise her and she won't be scared of us. He says he wants a cat to meet him at the door when he comes home, and not run away and hide. What should I do?? I really dont want her to give her back because noone will want to adopt her, she always hides. And I already love her and feel sorry for her. Please help.
2006-10-21 10:53:54 · 10 answers · asked by Ellanora 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
my gosh. you must be one pet lover.
perhaps your older cat has been alone and doesnt socialise with other cats before.its only normal the cat behaves that way. the reason why the older cat run and hide from your husband could be probably, he doesnt tame/play/feed the cat like you do. so its normal for an anti-social cat to behave that way towards your husband and you.
he is your husband,im sure he wont make life difficult for you. ask him to spend some time with the older cat. n let the cat and kitten meet at a distance.. if really they cant get along.. u dont necessary have to throw the cat away..juz keep the cat and kitten at a distance..
good luck
2006-10-21 11:13:44 · answer #1 · answered by eki 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First, I think you should keep both cats if at all possible. The way that your older cat is acting is VERY normal...you have brought another animal into her space. I have an older cat and I adopted a kitten last year. This is what I did. First, I didn't force the cats to interact. For the first few days, I seperated them and I took two old towels and rubbed each cat with a towel (to get thier scent on the towel), I then put the towel with the kittens scent on it in the room with my older cat and vise-a-verse. After a day I allowed the cats to roam freely in the house and although they mostly stayed away from each other, they were otherwise MUCH calmer. Now, the cats play with each other and enjoy being together. It's just a transitional period, nothing to worry about. Give them some time to adjust. Good luck, and I hope you decide to keep them both!
2006-10-21 11:10:53 · answer #2 · answered by missapparition 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your husband needs to warm up to her. He doesn't like her and she knows it that's why she runs and hides. She's had a man in her life somewhere that mistreated her and she's afraid and senses your husband's hostility towards her.
Eventually she will get used to the kitten, the kitten may actually draw her out of hiding. The hissing is a natural instinct until she is used to it. She will be testy with the little one at first until the ground rules are set in place. It may be very good for the older cat to have a playmate to ease her skittishness. If she sees the other kitty warming up to everyone eventually she will long for the attention too and follow suit. I wouldn't give her back just yet give it some time and she may completely do an aboutface thanks to the little one.
As far as your husband wanting you to take the older one to the shelter I wouldn't do it. I've never had a cat that takes to meeting anyone at the door when they come home. He's got to learn that the first thing you learn with a cat is they decide who they want to show affection to.
If he wanted something to be excited and waiting when he got home he needs a dog.
2006-10-21 11:04:04 · answer #3 · answered by Jennifer R 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when ever u bring a new cat home u should always introduce them a little at a time for a couple of days keep the new cat in a different room from the other cat they will smell each others sents for a few days what ever room u put the new cat in u will have to have its own litter box and food in there after a couple of days they will be fine trust me i did it when i got my new kitten my first one was here alone for 10 yrs before the new one came along they r like sisters now ,,, good luck
2006-10-21 11:02:10 · answer #4 · answered by Teri M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the way i always introduce new cats to each other is in play.chose a time when the house is quiet, then get a few cardboard boxes and build a playhouse, with holes big enough for paws to come through and little door ways you can stack them as high as you like, first show the house to the older cat, you can play with her with bits of sting and the like. letting her pat at them when she is inside.dangle them over the holes so she can grab at them. after a while bring the kitty in and let her join in the play.the older cat will feel safe hiden in the boxes and eventually allow the littleone to join in her game.to watch 2 cats starting to play together like this, is more fun than watching tv your hubby may get into it as well. the older cat will carry on hissing at the younger for a while yet but it will become less and less.cat socializing will often bring a shy cat out of its shell, you just have to persevere it doesn't happen over night. cats have scent gland between their ears rubbing this area gently will transfer the scent onto your hands , if you then stroke around the face of the older cat she will become used to the scent of the little one. then one morning you will get up and find them cuddled up together mutual grooming.But like I say it wont happen over night.
2006-10-21 15:53:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's a choice between the husband and the cat, keep the cat! Husbands can be replaced! Seriously, your cat's just jealous (and it sounds like your husband is, too). She'll get over it in time. Especially as the baby one grows up. Oh, and tell your husband, cats aren't dogs. They don't 'greet you at the door' unless you've got a hamburger in your hand!
2006-10-21 10:57:55 · answer #6 · answered by Baby'sMom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your older cat doesn`t need the new cat taken away he needs to get used to it first. It`s bad to just let go into your house with out the other cats smelling the cage that the cat was brought in before seeing the new cat.
2006-10-21 10:58:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think she will improve with time, but may never be as outgoing or firendly as other cats. I had a cat from a shelter too, she is much better now. it will take time for her to get used to the new kitty but make sure you pay lots of attention and love to both of them! also, your hubby should try bonding with the older cat with treats and toys. this isn't gonna happen over night but persist!
2006-10-21 11:00:09 · answer #8 · answered by tess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT TAKE THE CAT BACK TO THE SHELTER
tell your husband he is ******* asshole.
a cat isnt going to greet you at the door.
that poor cat depends on you, don't let it down
for your husband to just basicly throw a cat away because it doesnt do what he wants his retarded. if he wants to be greeted at a door he should buy a dog.
your cats will learn to adapt to eachother after just a few weeks.
2006-10-21 10:58:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
the two cats will hated to each other?because one another feel that you are not loved him and he/she thinking of the one another cat is you're loved and he think that u not love him. so talk to him that be loved the one another
2006-10-21 12:55:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋