Will the introduction of a new cat into the home cause the old one to stop eating and drinking to point that they die?
2006-12-28 16:49:34 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Several years ago our older cat passed on very soon ( with in two weeks) after we were giving a kitten. I 've always felt it was probably a mistake to have taken the kitty. However it was quite a blessing for our greif was eased some already having the unconditional love of the new pet. I had two to go in that same month.. Samantha was about 11 years (cat) Rascal was 14 years, our Keeshond.
2006-12-29 17:58:12 · update #1
Since then I have always kept new pets and rescues separated until they acclamate to the rest, or are placed in permanent homes.
2006-12-29 18:08:52 · update #2
Some cats do get so depressed they will stop eating!!!!
I am not so sure it will go to the point of starving itself until it dies..but some will stop eating in protest!
My sister had a cat like this...So i'm not just making up a story..
My older cat is still not real happy about the 2 kitties we brought in ..and we have had these 2 since they were first born,so he smelled their blankets and had smelled them under the door-the whole nine yards..He is still swatting them and hissing.I dont know if it will ever end!!!
I am hoping once i get the 2 lil ones fixed this will all calm down...
2006-12-28 19:16:03 · answer #1 · answered by ♥Luv my kitties♥ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
False. Both cats will be a bit stressed though, so introduce the new cat gradually. Confine new comer in one room - do not let the two meet nose to nose first day. Both cats will be able to smell and hear the other though and this will help the transition and introduction. Keep the old cats' routine unchanges as much as possible - fed in same place, potty in same place, sleep in same place. After a couple of days, put new cat in a cat carrier for the first "nose to nose" introduction. New cat should preferable be confined in a cat kennel or carrier so new cat can feel secure and old cat can feel unthreatened. Do this periodicaly for a couple more days and for longer and longer periods until you observe that both cats are virtually ignoring one another. That's the time to let both have the run of the house.
2006-12-29 08:21:11 · answer #2 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not true at all. Cats would not have survived so long in the wild if they became seriously depressed each time a new cat moved into their territory. They can become aggressive, but they will almost never become depressed.
There can be rivalry--hissing and swatting--or even fighting, but introducing them carefully and slowly will result in cats that tolerate or even like each other.
Be sure both cats are neutered. If they're of the same gender, being intact will cause more fighting; and opposite genders have the obvious problem of possible unwanted offspring!
Keep the new cat in a room of its own for a few days; they will smell each other under the door. Switch their bedding, so they can get used to each others' smells.
After that you can take the new cat in a carrier into the old cat's territory and let them see each other; and then let them meet each other in a supervised visit. Eventually, they should come to an agreement over who gets what, and who has what privileges, and will tolerate each others' presence.
2006-12-29 01:30:38 · answer #3 · answered by lisa450 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't know if anyone can truly answer that. Never heard of it but some cats get pretty stressed with change. Monitor the situation very closely and get your vet's advice if there is no food or water intake. This can cause dehydration and lead to more serious problems down the road.
www.VetReviewsOnline.com
2006-12-29 01:30:20 · answer #4 · answered by frenchlady94 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, the cat may not be happy about the new addition but it will keep eating and drinking, and willl mope around and stay away from the other cat and even compete with it for your attention. but in time im sure the cat will grow used to the other one.
2006-12-29 23:53:14 · answer #5 · answered by BRANDON M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
False we recently (about a year ago) got a new cat our old cat usually ates other cats but is friends with this one.
2006-12-29 03:56:04 · answer #6 · answered by Mutt-lover 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no thats not ture at all the other cat will just protect its domain and make sure the other cat knows that its his.
2006-12-29 05:46:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
False, they would only get into fights.
2006-12-29 18:14:17 · answer #8 · answered by kitty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
false
2006-12-29 04:12:15 · answer #9 · answered by daniaamily 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cats are for spinsters. hows that for smart alec?
2006-12-29 01:29:31 · answer #10 · answered by monochrome R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋