We have 3 cats that we have had for 6 years and now we have got another one my mate has asked us to look after, he is 6 years old and suposed to be a house cat but keeps trying to get out and as she lives 3 floors up we thought he might be better here, we intend to let him go out.. Problem is it had been 24 hours and he is still spitting and growling at us and the other cats, my mate thinks he is showing signs of stress not that i would know didn't even know cats got stressed, any advice would be good, would really like to know how long it will take for him to settle down or wether he ever will. Thanks for you help
2007-01-25 07:11:49 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Firstly, cats are the most territorial beings on the planet. When bringing a new cat in to an established territory, keep him separate: a spare bedroom, or bathroom even if need be. Cats like small safe places anyway.
Let your cats get used to the smell of him thru the door. Try feeding them on either side of the door, so that all know they are associating the smell of each other with something good...eating! Then try switching, let the new boy out to roam around and smell, and close up your home cats in his room. They can now smell his scent and explore while he is out exploring. Do this a few times, hopefully twice a day,a nd then, after about 3 or 4 days, try just leaving his sanctuary door open. If he comes out, great, if not, just leave him be.
Then, when he does come out, if a tussle breaks out, sequester him again for a bit and give small monitored visits. You always have to introduce a new cat slowly... in rare cases can you just toss in a new cat and have it readily accepted. trust me, I have done it for each of my cats. It DOES get better! visit the site below: and YES< cats can get so stressed they can get ill from it. Let the new cat have a safe refuge to return to.... that bathroom with a litter box or laundry room or porch or some such.
Good luck! Email me if you need more help.
2007-01-25 07:22:57 · answer #1 · answered by GRISCHAT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you should have done was put all the other cats in a bedroom with their food litter box and what not and let the new cat explore the house without the other cats around for a while then an hour or two let one of the cats out and see how they do then keep on doing that until they all ahve met......as it stands the other cats are dominant over that apartment becasue they were there first....maybe he feels threatened.......odd man out you know........its like if you were a child taken from your home where you were comfortable already and thrown into a new family with a bunch of bratty kids that you didnt know. Probably kind of scary. get him some yummy canned food and some treats......maybe a small blanket or something from his other place that he is familiar with something with your friend's scent on it preferably.......might relieve some of the anxiety. Good luck!
2007-01-25 07:28:19 · answer #2 · answered by Belou_Eyes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the cat probably IS stressed and hes smelling the scent of other cats too...it usually calms down after a bit. Try ignoring him for awhile. Go about your day normally and only talk to him in a nice calm voice. He will eventually get settled and used to you. Id say give it a week. Thats a good solid time for him to acclimate.
2007-01-25 07:35:56 · answer #3 · answered by monkeysgirl04 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One reason he's stressed is because he has to get used to a new home too. Not just other cats. Put him in a room away from the other cats for a while then gradually introduce him to the other cats. He will tolerate the situation easier if its not introduced all at once.
2007-01-25 07:25:43 · answer #4 · answered by Barbara S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's only been 24hrs. This could go on for weeks. It SHOULD settle down eventually. At the very least the cats will tolerate each other. Seperate litter trays and food dishes may help just now. You could try locking him in his own room and slowly introducing the cats to him.
It all sounds quite overwhelming for a human to endure, never mind a cat who must been really confused.
2007-01-25 07:22:17 · answer #5 · answered by Mango M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anytime you are introducing a new cat, especially an adult, into an established house, you need to do so gradually. Read the link (you'll have to scroll down a little): http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_tomgeri
cats can and do get stressed. The new cat needs to be secluded to one room with his own food, water and litter boxes immediately and start the process over again.
Good luck.
`*`*`
2007-01-25 07:23:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rule of thumb with introducing new cats to a cat community is two weeks to settle in (gradually) and about the same if you let them out.
2007-01-25 07:21:27 · answer #7 · answered by JohnH(UK) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From experience it will take much longer than 24 hours for him to calm down. It's possible he never will fully. Give it a week to begin with and introduce him to the other cats very gently
2007-01-25 07:21:34 · answer #8 · answered by A True Gentleman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he doesn't know you and your house so he needs to get used to things. i think it would be best to give him space and let him explore on his own.
does he have somewhere 'safe' he can hide? if so put something familiar from his house there and don't worry him when he's there.
if he's a house cat he's probably best staying in if he's going back to your mate. keep him in at least until he's settled
x
2007-01-25 07:24:35 · answer #9 · answered by aria 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you have a quite room away from the other cat's you can put him in until he calms down? he has so much to deal with at moment and all too much at same time, new home, new mum, new cats etc etc let him decide when he's ready to come meet the family
2007-01-25 07:23:19 · answer #10 · answered by vixen599 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋