It has been two months and the older kitty still will not come out of the extra bedroom that I have prepared everything for her. She is so good, loving and passionte but she is just old. How do I combine her with my other animals? I have a dog and another cat (2 years old).
2006-10-23 19:16:58 · 11 answers · asked by Maggie 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
First of all let me say that you are such a kind-hearted person to take that cat in! So many people won't take elderly animals.
Do you have to combine her with the other animals? Since she's elderly and this is a BIG shock for her, it will take her a good while to come around. She may simply prefer being separate from the others (especially if she was the only pet that person had and is not used to sharing her space with other animals). If at all possible, I'd let her do what she wants (within reason, of course).
If you have to mix her in with the others, do it slowly in small increments especially with the dogs. If she is not used to being with dogs, she could become aggressive or very frightened so it's crucial that you start out slowly.
I hope that this works out for you - that kitty is so lucky to have someone so compassionate to take her in and give her a good life for her remaining time here!
2006-10-23 19:23:14 · answer #1 · answered by crouchingpossum 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have had my new cat, Ruby, for a year and a half and she still does not get along with my two other cats, Junipurr and Sammy, who are sisters. I moved into a new home and Junipurr and Sammy stayed in the bathroom (under the tub) for about 3 or 4 months. I just made sure that they had food, water and litter and finally they started to come out and explore the new home. They still don't get along with Ruby, but they just hiss at each other and run the other way. As long as they are not biting or clawing each other, then there is no harm. As long as the older cat is eating, drinking and using the litter box, just give her time. Good Luck!
2006-10-24 02:24:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had cats all my life and I know from experience that the older the cat, the less they adapt to change...It's not that they can't, it's that they won't. Kind of like an elderly person being set in their ways of doing something for so many years...Same concept...Just give her some more time and she may come around...If not, just let her be...She's old and she probably feels safer in the bedroom...Leave the door to the bedroom open and gradually they may start interacting with eachother on their own
2006-10-24 03:35:21 · answer #3 · answered by lil_goober19 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
leave the door open to the older kitties room. eventually the younger ones will venture into it, and she will either tolerate them or not. You should spend quite a bit of time with her in her room to make her feel safe and at home, with the others present, but give her most of the attention in that situation., while still being friendly to the others. I would try to leave the dog out of her room, but once she feels comfortable enough to come out, I would try to introduce them slowly, and only when the dog is very calm. If none of that works, just leave her be, but make sure to spend time with her everyday, she ahs had a long life, and to try to forve her to befriend would not be right. She may get used to the kitties though,and actualy it could be good for her. She is probaly still greiving fo rher previous people, though, so you have to et her deide what's right.
2006-10-24 02:34:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had cat that was 18 that I just had euthanized a few weeks ago. I had her since I was three, and she was such a good kitty.
Old cats though are sort of like old people. When they get set in their ways, they get stubborn, and there is nothing anyone can do to get them out of it.
When I moved from my mom's into my dad's place, my old cat refused to come out of my room for weeks. It was sort of like she was mad at me for making her adjust to a bunch of new surroundings, especially since she was blind by that time.
If the cat seems to be comfortible around you however, then I would suggest slowly beginning to integrate her by bringing her out of the room with you. Maybe settling her with you on the couch while you watch television would be just enough to get her to check the rest of the place out.
Another thing you can try after that, is instead of feeding her only in that room, put another bowl of food out in your kitchen or dining room.
Another reason she might not want to come out, is that she might be a little bit scared of your dog. Even if she was raised around dogs before, that still doesn't mean that she wont be a little nervious around a strange dog.
2006-10-24 03:31:29 · answer #5 · answered by xxtorturedinnocentsxx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
old cats *hate* change. She feels safer in the room (like a den). Put a box and food/water in there for her and just let her enjoy the room. Don't force her to interact with the other animals. At that age, she will mostly want to sleep anyway. Just let her enjoy the time you spend in the bedroom with her, and leave her be.
2006-10-24 02:20:13 · answer #6 · answered by Jeannie 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It can take several months and sometimes longer to acclimate a new animal to a new home. the most important thing is to let her come out of the room when she is ready. When I got my two calicos six-years-ago, it took them seven months to come downstairs. Now, that act as if they own the place.
2006-10-24 03:31:26 · answer #7 · answered by maggiebridget09 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your best answer is from Jeannie. Just let her be content in the room you fixed up for her. Don't force her to intermingle with your other animals. Spend quiet time with her and let her just be happy.
2006-10-24 02:28:53 · answer #8 · answered by Ladybug 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can put the not so old cat along with your old cat in your bedroom but mind the dog
2006-10-24 02:26:11 · answer #9 · answered by Call me crazy 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
leave them alone so they can spent quality time just watch them in scretly once in while to make sure they get along.give it two weeks,
2006-10-24 02:20:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋