Help with a cat...?

Question

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

Answer 1

Your friend gave you his cat to look after. His cat thinks he has been dropped in weird territory with three other cats he doesn't know. He's scared!

The best thing to do is to put him in the bathroom! Place his food and water dish and commode in there and maybe a blanket and a few toys so he is comfortbale. He needs to get use to being in a new enviornment and your cats! They'll be able to safely sniff each other from under the door. (A laundry room that has been "kitty-proofed" will work as well.)

Your friend's cat may not appreciate being placed in the bathroom and may voice his objections! Do not let this behavior fool you! It is best for him to be by himself. This process may take a few days. At best 2-3. Once he is comfortable, isn't voicing his objections and doesn't freak out as much when you come to use the bathroom you can put him in a cat carrier.

This cat carrier step is important for all felines involved! Place the cat carrier (I assume you have one because you already have three present kitties) in the living room or wherever your cats hang out the most. They'll be able to sniff each other through the door. Your friend's cat will be able to observe your kitties in saftey without feeling too threatened. If your friend's cat suddenly becomes scared or hostile place the kitty back in the bathroom.

Over some time kept the new kitty in the cat carrier for more time. It is best to do this in the morning and night, when you're home so you can observe everyone's behavior. The first time he's in the carrier do it for 15 minutes. The next for 30 minutes. Then its the next day, and start from 30 minutes again. Go to 45-60 minutes. You may even need to go slower than this, such as 15 minutes for a day, 30 minutes for a day and so on and so forth. You'll see how your friend's cat reacts when you do this and use your best judgement! Think of this cat as your very own.

When this kitty is through with the cat carrier and can sit without being too scared or hostile it is time to let him roam! It is best to do this on a day that he wasn't in the carrier. Open the door of his "room" and let him walk out on his own (do not let your kitties go in first - let him make the first move).

He may still be a little hostile towards your kitties since some cats are more terriortial than others but it shouldn't be such a huge deal as it once was. (When we got a second cat, our first cat hated it and let us know it! He smacked her around, hissed at her, growled and was just very mean! But over time he left her alone more often!)

Give it time and I hope that within a week or so your new "kitty-roommate" will be adjusted to you and your kitties.

Answer 2

Integrating a new adult cat into a house which is home to other cats is not that simple. He's in survival and mode and feels threatened by new surroundings, people, other cats and just about everything else. Go to web site below and read the free documents on cat behaviour - they will explain what is happening now and why along with instructions for integrating the moggy with the resident ones. Follow the advice, it really does work and is about the best info you'll find anywhere (don't bother with Cats Protection , they have no idea). Don;t hang about either because if they start fighting now it may always remain so. Sometimes the resident cat will accept the new one, sometimes it will tolerate it and sometimes it's out and out paws at dawn.

One really good thing you can get to ease things when the squabbling kicks off is a bottle of spray catnip or better still a bag of dried catnip (pet stores or garden centres). It's not expensive and makes them roll around on the carpet purring (they like the smell) - it's completely safe and can even be bought from the garden centre in plant form. Males tend to like it much more than females. Trust me, get some.

Website: Feline Advisory Bureau, UK
http://www.fabcats.org

Answer 3

Hi,

The cat is probably scared because he is in a new environment, it ususally takes the average cat about a week to settle in. I think the cat needs distance, dont try to grab it, stroke it or touch it as cats can get viscious. When feeding the cat jut put its food in one place every day and the cat will start getting into a routine and should realise that you are not trying to harm it. Also another way of stopping it being scared of you is when the cat looks at you just yawn at it but do not look it straight in the eyes, this to a cat means you are not going to harm him.

Hope it helps!

Answer 4

Hello. If you introduce a new cat into your house hold, it can take up to several months for things to work themselves out. Anymore than three cats and you automatically set up an arena to determine dominance - especially if there is a new cat in town. Cats can and do experience stress just like humans. Especially if they are in a new place with new smells and sounds and people and animals. It took 2-3 months for our cats to adjust to the newbie, and for him to adjust as well. Cats a very territorial animals. Just give them all space. A lot of time it can help to do the ajustment slowly, if you can. Good luck

Answer 5

Sounds like my kitty!! some cats just don't get along well in new situacions. just give it a couple weeks and he's sure to fit right in. cats can get very stressed, hissing and growling, in fact cats will literally even pull thier own hair out if they become over stressed. especially since he is a male cat, he'll have a harder time getting used to other new cats. Like I said though, after a week or two he should settle down on his own.

Answer 6

imagine you have been living with your parents for 6 years and then all of sudden you are taken away from any thing you have ever known and loved, that is exactly how that cat is feeling, cats are very affectionate and intelligent creatures and is so obviously feeling very insecure at the moment, if you move house they say give your cat at least two weeks in the home to get used to it and to realise that it is home but just a different one, so this little guy may need a little longer otherwise he will just run away and try and go back to where he does no, they are like dogs and should bring something with them that smells like home a blanket or item of clothing that they used to like snuggling on.
just try and imagine what it would be like for you and quite simply there's your answer.
good luck x

Answer 7

The cat is confused and bewildered. Suddenly, he's in a place where he does not know anyone and there are territory issues to straighten out. Give him time.

Get a cat "dangle " toy and see if he will respond to it. Get him some of those bell balls and roll them at him. When he sees you are trying to play with him, he may not feel he has to be on the defensive all the time.

Above all, be patient and gentle with him. This will win him over.

Good luck!

Answer 8

He will need a lot longer than 24 hours. That is nothing. Would you settle in a house with a lot of strangers in 24 hours. No and cats are finny about some things. They get very fond of their homes and their territory so just give him some time

Answer 9

Your mate may be right, and yes cats can get stressed. You may want to try taking it out a little more but keep it on an extended leash just so you can see what it's doing. Good luck and I hope the little thing gets better!

Answer 10

24 hours is no time at all for adult cats to settle. Give him time and all the space he needs. They do get stressed but WILL come out of it. Dont pamper him but don't harrass him either. I have 3 cats, two adults and one kitten - who now all live together happily. But it took a year for them to be in the same room together. He is terrified. Keep him in for a couple of weeks then let him out - hungry. He will then come back to be fed.

Patience.