I have a spoiled rotten 5 year old cat and have rescued a not quite one year old cat from under the dumpster at work. I made the mistake when I brought the little one home last night of just setting down the carrier and expecting my older one to start acting nice! Didn't work!! Now I'm trying to follow the advice of the experts and have them separated in different rooms. I'm curious if anyone else has tried this method and what the results were. My older cat has been labeled the "devil cat" and such by my friends..so that tells you what I'm dealing with. The reason I want another cat - besides the fact that I love cats - is that my older one is getting fat and seems to be getting crankier the more I work - guess I figured that she'd enjoy some company and stimulation. Please give me any pointers or anything that you've learned!!!!
2007-01-27 07:24:29 · 11 answers · asked by laurie 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Patience! Some cats are more accepting than others. I have, currently, 11 cats. I have "grouped" cats for over 20 years. I have never had cats that will not eventually get along. Don't isolate the older cat. Remember that it is, after all, his house. The sex of the cats does make a difference also. And, not unlike wild dogs - they will actually work this out without killing each other. Even though it make not feel like that to you.
I'd also try toys and catnip. Make sure they both feel safe, loved and cared for.
2007-01-27 07:39:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would keep them together for a while, and not like a week, but a month or more, and see what happens. First i'm pretty sure they'll fight and hiss at eachother and throw some cat punches, but that's just the first time they've ever been together, so i wouldn't see it as a dangerous thing. Just let them get used to eachother, and keep an eye on them while they're together. Make sure you treat both the cats with the same attention and love, or the other might get jealous and get kind of crazy. Show both cats that you care for both of them, and try not to favor the new cat too much. With some time, it should work out. Time can only tell! haha. But if you're cat is just truely a devil cat all the way through, then you'll probably have to keep them separated, if they don't get along atleast within a year or half a year. Usually if both cats are males....it might be a problem with the territorial thing and what not. Well, i hope your cats get along really well!! I just had to put my cat to sleep over christmas, and he was only 5yrs old, and i really miss him and would like another cat. i just love cats too, haha.
2007-01-27 07:38:52 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We need more like you out here! Check the What to feed link. These are other good foods you might not have tried. Also try Natural Balance, venison & green pea in particular. My picky girl went right from kibble to that with barely a hesitation. I think that's an endorsement of sorts! Or how about one of these three grainless dry: Evo, Nature's Variety Raw Instincts or Wellness Core. You may be able to get samples from pet stores. Either way, try fixing just a few grains in with the MM and gradually increase that. This did work for me - I now use Evo as a treat, but it started life as mostly Purina. If you try to switch to canned, you can mix it in with the MM, or sprinkle some MM on top, or even crush some of it to sprinkle over or in. Just start with very small amounts of the new food. He'll be eating it before he knows what hits him! Oh and another thing with switching to canned if you try that - you can nuke it for 2-3 seconds to bring out the smell. That may help draw him in.
2016-05-24 06:02:32 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Laurie, I have two cats. Maggie is 8 yo and Leroy 4yo. Oct 03 I brought Leroy home from the Shelter I volunteer at. He was around 11 months old. Maggie hissed and growled and sure let me know she was not happy. BTW Maggie seems a lot like your 5yo as in spoiled rotten, was only cat etc. Leroy virtually forced himself on Maggie and now they sleep together and Maggie tolerates him. He annoys her and she still hisses at him but they get on OK. You seem to be doing the right thing by keeping them separated as I did with Leroy when he first came home. Just let the young one out for short periods. As long as they arn't actually fighting, I'm sure your old cat will come around even if it's only as much as Maggie did and the older cat only learns to *tolerate* the young one. Good luck!
2007-01-27 07:33:08 · answer #4 · answered by oscarooch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's going to take time. Just make sure the older cat gets all the love that she normally gets from you and more. Try to ignore the younger cat when it is around and give all your attn to the older and hopefully she will realize that she won't be left out.
Good Luck
2007-01-27 07:33:09 · answer #5 · answered by Fish Lover 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will take some time, but they will get used to each other. We have three cats. They weren't all brought into the household at the same time. They are all used to each other and get along just fine now. Keeping them separated in different rooms may help because they get used to the scent of the other one before they have to get used to the sight of them. But if you let them both "loose" they will hide in their own little areas, and get used to each other slowly, anyway. Keep the food, and the litter box in the same place, so they both have to use it. They will get used to the scent of the other one in that way, too.
2007-01-27 07:31:48 · answer #6 · answered by kj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just give your cat some time,my cat was the same way....but my older cat got along with my younger cat about 3 months later.
2007-01-27 07:28:41 · answer #7 · answered by I ? Colbert 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to give them time to work through their differences on there own.I wish I knew their genders,but anyway as long as they have adequate space and food they will settle in eventually as they begin to realize that there is no "competition" as would be expected in the wild.p.s don't get too discouraged by their confrontations ,like all animals the noises and such are more bark than actual bite,or in this case MEOOOOOOOOOWWWW!!
2007-01-27 07:34:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
tie a peice of bacon around the little cats neck. That way the other cat will have to play with it to get the bacon. Positive reinforcment.
2007-01-27 07:27:51 · answer #9 · answered by gonzo21188 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hit it and call it a dog... your cat will be so confused I would be suprised if it "DIDN'T" go emo on you...
2007-01-27 07:27:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋