I have two cats and a dog. I got a five month old kitten about a month ago, male. The older cats are both female. The dog and one of the cats adjusted to the new addition ok. However the oldest cat, Lipton, who is fourteen has not. She lays in the laundry room growling and hissing everytime she catches sight of Toby, the new kitten. She won't come out and won't eat unless Toby is put in the bedrroom. Also she has begun growling and hissing at Darcy and Roger the cat and dog who untill I got the kitten she was fine with. She even used to play with Darcy, the other cat. Why isn't she adjusting? Why is she now also having problems with Roger and Darcy? What can I do?
2007-01-17 06:19:11 · 7 answers · asked by Lachelle 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
I believe that Lipton is becoming inordinately stressed because of the kitten. This is dangerous to the health of an older cat. What you must do is confine the kitten in a room and allow Lipton to see that her space is still hers... ll the other pets including Lipton will still be able to smell the scent of the kitten and this will help gradually introduce the presence of anotehr pet in the den. It will also go a long way into lessening the stress on Lipton (she is lashing out at the other pets becuase she is stressed). If I were you, my priority will be Lipton becuase she is the oldest and her health needs to take top consideratio. The kitten is young and will not come t any harm or bother by being confined in a room for a while. In fact, this will also be less stressful to a new pet since there isn't all that space and all thoat many things and animals to adjust to and cope with in the begining.
Confine the kitten in one room. :)
2007-01-17 06:43:48 · answer #1 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She will adjust eventually. Stop putting Toby in the bedroom - force Lipton to come out to eat and drink even when Toby is out and about. She won't starve herself to death.
With an older cat like that, sometimes it takes them a really long time to adjust. Chances are, she's jealous of Toby, and she's upset with Darcy (my daughter's name!) and Roger for forming an alliance with Toby.
Just do what you can to keep the kitten safe, and be patient. Don't forget to seek her out to love on her several times a day. Don't let her think she's being replaced.
Good luck.
2007-01-17 06:25:05 · answer #2 · answered by Meg M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because being your first Cat, the oldest, the original, she expects (and is entitled) to be first in consideration and will not have her place in the household challenged by some little runt that just walked in the door. She knows it, the other animals know it and she doesn't understand why you don't.
Talk to her, hold and pet her, and tell her you haven't forgotten all the years she's been loyal. She's not just angry, she's hurt by your attention to this kitten. Reassure her she is still number one in the house and especially in front of the kitten. Don't show too much affection to the kitten in front of her though.
The other two cats know exactly whats going on
and the kitten will adjust without you worrying and fawning over it.
Not all Cat lovers understand that Cats are as emotionally complex as humans and need patients and and the same understanding that an emotionally upset human is given. Whose ever advice you accept I would love to know the outcome of this situation. Best Regards
2007-01-17 07:23:52 · answer #3 · answered by gugenheim84 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to say thins, but there's not much you can do. Don't ignore the older cat, but let them work it out for themselves. You have to accept the fact that they may never get along. It happens. Just like there are some people you can't stand to be around, your older cat may never like to be around the kitten.
They will adjust to each other, and tolerate each other - at the very least, because they have to. Accept the fact that they may never like to be in the same room together.
2007-01-17 07:31:38 · answer #4 · answered by IamMARE 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you cant just bring in a new cat, toss it on the floor with the others and hope they get along. It takes a few days for them to get used to each other's smells. You probably rushed it. As for a solution now i have no idea. Just make sure your senior cat is not getting too stressed. 14 is getting up there for a cat. 7 is considered senior
2007-01-17 06:25:59 · answer #5 · answered by .. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah i know what your taking about. my foo is just barely accepting fuzzy. only put up with isolation bit for a couple of days to a week. then make them get over it. we tried feliway and it helped alot. its a spray or plug containing the hormone similar to that givin off by nursing mommy cats. it calm anxious cat. it also keeps cats from peeing and marking on things sprayed with it. you can get feliway at petsmart.
2007-01-17 06:39:12 · answer #6 · answered by Jennie N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a personality clash, she will get used to it, my neighbor takes in strays and adopts them out and all those cats get used to it, give her time
2007-01-17 06:27:18 · answer #7 · answered by airpolicejohn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋