my new cat hates my old cat!!!?

Question

I got a new kitten (6 months old) from the RSPCA 2 weeks ago. She is a really loving little cat but she is being so so mean to my other cat who is nearly 3 and who is the sweetest little soul. he is being really cautious of her and just runs upstairs when he gets in. Will this improve or have i made a mistake and his life a misery??

Answer 1

This is invaluable info: borrowed from the HSUS. I post it here since “incompatibility” is one of the main reasons of return of adopted pets to our pound. Please read, it works wonderfully!

“Wouldn't it be nice if all it took to introduce a new cat to your resident pet were a brief handshake and a couple of "HELLO, My Name Is “Fluffy”? Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple, which means you'll need to have some realistic expectations from the outset. What are realistic expectations? First, it's recognizing and accepting that your pets may never be best buddies but will usually come to at least tolerate each other. Second, it's understanding the need to move slowly during the introduction process to increase your chances for success.
Of course, some cats are more social than other cats. For example, an eight-year-old cat who has never been around other animals may never learn to share her territory (and her people) with other pets in the household. But an eight-week-old kitten separated from her mom and littermates for the first time might be glad to have a cat or dog companion.

Cats are territorial, and they need to be introduced to other animals very slowly so they can get used to each other before a face-to-face confrontation. Slow introductions help prevent fearful and aggressive problems from developing. Here are some guidelines to help make the introductions go smoothly:

Confinement

Confine your new cat to one medium-sized room with her litter box, food, water, and a bed. Feed your resident pets and the newcomer on each side of the door to this room, so that they associate something enjoyable (eating!) with each other's smells. Don't put the food so close to the door that the animals are too upset by each other's presence to eat. Gradually move the dishes closer to the door until your pets can eat calmly while standing directly on either side of the door.

The Old Switcheroo

Swap the sleeping blankets or beds used by the cats so they each have a chance to become accustomed to the other's scent. You can even rub a towel on one animal and put it underneath the food dish of another animal. If there are more than two animals in the house, do the same for each animal.

Once your new cat is using her litter box and eating regularly while confined, let her have free time in the house while confining your other animals to the new cat's room. This switch provides another way for the animals to experience each other's scents without a face-to-face meeting. It also allows the newcomer to become familiar with her new surroundings without being frightened by the other animals.

Next, after the animals have been returned to their original designated parts of the house, use two doorstops to prop open the dividing door just enough to allow the animals to see each other, and repeat the whole process over a period of days—supervised, of course.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Avoid any interactions between your pets that result in either fearful or aggressive behavior. If these responses are allowed to become a habit, they can be difficult to change. It's better to introduce your pets to each other so gradually that neither animal becomes afraid or aggressive. You can expect a mild protest from either cat from time to time, but don't allow these behaviors to intensify. If either animal becomes fearful or aggressive, separate them, and start the introduction process once again with a series of very small, gradual steps.

You'll also want to have at least one litter box per cat, and you'll probably need to clean all of the litter boxes more frequently. Make sure that none of the cats is being "ambushed" by another while trying to use the litter box, and be sure each cat has a safe hiding place.

Try to keep your resident pets' schedule close to what it was before the newcomer's arrival. Cats can make a lot of noise, pull each other's hair, and roll around quite dramatically without any injuries. If small spats do occur between your cats, you shouldn't attempt to intervene directly to separate the cats. Instead, make a loud noise, throw a pillow, or use a squirt bottle with water and vinegar to separate the cats. Give them a chance to calm down before re-introducing them to each other.- gratefully reprinted from the HSUS.

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/cat_behavior_tip_sheets/introducing_pets_to_a_new_cat.html

Answer 2

No you didn't make a mistake getting your kitten. That age is the
best for introducing in a home with existing cats. It just takes
time for them to adjust to each other. The kitten is insecure
coming into a new household and your three year old is just
put out to have to share you and her home. They will adjust.
Make sure you give your three year old a lot of love so she is
reassured that she has ot lost your love. I have 4 cats, the oldest
is 15 years and the youngest is 2 years old. Also have a 7 year
old and a 13 year old. Maat, 15, is the mother of Calico,13.
It took them about 2 months before they stopped being huffy at
Squirtafenia,2, but it only too 3 weeks before Buzgee, 7, and
Squirt were playing. They follow each other around and when
Buzgee can't find Squirt, he pouts.

Answer 3

With an older cat, I'd adopt another calm adult cat. It doesn't need to be as old as your 10-year old, but a 2 or 3 year old calm adult will be a much better companion than kittens which will be very annoying to her. Plus if you go to a shelter and pick an adult cat, you'll have a pretty good idea of the personality of the cat you're getting, something you don't get as much with kittens. And its harder to get the adults adopted so you'll be doing something really good.

Answer 4

no i promise you havent. cats like humans treat someone else in their house as a threat to begin with. espescially if they had no foreknowledge!

i did exactly the same thing a few years ago and my cat hated the new kitten. they would always wind eachother up. but somebody told me just to give it time and that one day not too far in the future, they will eat off the same plate and sleep on the same bed! - its true!!!

they will get used to eachother soon. my cat was gutted when the other one died, and they really had built up a special bond.
just make sure you make a fuss of the older one so he knows he is still loved.

Answer 5

You have put one cat in anothers territory, I did this some years ago and my 1st cat had an issue about it. They will get used to each other but will take time.

Answer 6

It is jealous when I bring allot of stray kittens and I also have a cat and they are always arguing and I talked to a vet and he said they get jealous.

Answer 7

I had a barn full of cats. At first they spit and hiss at each other but as time went by they all got along . I had 13 at once. But let them get use to each other at their own time. .

Answer 8

Cats are totally bi*chy about stuff like that-- your old kitty will adjust and get over it, though.

When I brought home my youngest cat (now five), my older cat (now 12) was so pissed she didn't come out of our room (at least we never saw her- she came out at night when no one was around) for TWO MONTHS.

They are now best pals.

Answer 9

try getting them to mix together or eat next to each other.

I now have 4 cats and one of mine hated another one for about 3 months, now they love each other to pieces.

Answer 10

Your new kitten is in need of alot of loving. It sounds like she is suffering from insecurtiy. She will need alot of love and attention