I just moved - what do I do if my cat isn't eating and won't stop hissing??

Question

I just flew my cat Mr. Bigglesworth from Texas to New York. He's always hated driving, but flying was pretty traumatic for him I think. He is staying in my room for now. He is happy when I pet him and acts normal - but for the past 3 days he still won't eat any food ( he is drinking). He is also normally an extremely social and friendly cat ... but when my roommates come in he won't stop meowing and hissing.

There are 2 other cats in the apartment (they never come in my room). He has lived with other cats and dogs before and I know it will take a while for them all to get used to each other. But these cats aren't even in the room (and my roommates wash their hands) and he still goes crazy hissing and meowing when they come in. He's never been like that around people before.

How can I get him to start eating?

How can I get him to stop hissing?

How long will it take for him to adjust/ be himself?

Answer 1

For the first couple of weeks you should keep Mr. B. in your room and, hate to say it, but put the litter box in there, too. (If you put it over a trash bag covered in newspapers, it will protect your floor.) The reason is that he needs time to adjust to the new surroundings and he needs a small, safe space (if you have a bathroom of your own, that would be the best) and visit him frequently, petting and offering him a small amount of the food he is used to eating. This is no time to change his food, and try to make sure your roommates don't burst in on him until he's feeling more secure. See the following info at:
http://www.petsinneed.org/articles/SecondCat.html

Cats are so amazingly sensitive to changes, and it will likely take him a couple of weeks to settle down. If he hasn't eaten in 3 days (or has he just eaten small amounts?) but is still drinking, he will probably be all right as long as he is urinating normally and will probably start eating as soon as YOU relax. Offer him a tiny amount of his food or if it's dry food, leave a small amount in a familiar looking bowl beside a bowl of water and you might find him picking at it before long.

Cats often "pick up" the anxieties of their owners. As you relax and settle in, he probably will, too.

*If he is stops drinking or begins acting sick or if he doesn't eat by day 5, you should find a good vet and take him in. I know that's an expense and a stress, but he might be suffering from something other than just stress.

It wouldn't hurt for you to go ahead and call a local vet (you'll need one eventually) and tell them what's going on. They might be able to give you some professional advice over the phone.

Answer 2

Mr Bigglesworth is suffering from a lot of things including the emotional trauma of both the flight and the move into new place with new smells and new sounds and new people and other cats and .......
I would make sure to try to have some items around that he is familiar with.
I would also maybe leave some articles of clothing of your room-mates for him to get used to their smells. I am sure there is an element of fear that tey are going to take him away from you so you need him to get used to the idea that this is normal.
Eben though the others wash their hands before coming in they still smell of the other cats .
Mr Bigglesworth will take some time o get used to his new surrroundings. Please also try to coax him into eating something, Oerhaps he will feel more secure if you are around when he tries to eat so he feels safer.
Give hoim tme and I am sure you will all be one happy family - cats and people and all

Answer 3

I have learned alot in the past few months about similar situations. About a year ago we ended up with a stray that adopted us. she was just a kitten, and was our first. Recently we ended up with another kitten, and the older cat spent the first two weeks hissing, growling, and batting at the new kitten. I did some research. Cats are territorial, and have their own heirarchy. They also depend on their scent. All in all, it will take about two weeks for him to settle in, but he will eat on his own. Try making him a little more comfortable by closing him in your room during the day with his litter box, food, and toys. They may hiss and growl through the door, but they are figuring out each other place in the new situation. Do some research on "introducing a new cat to a multi cat household" They are now best of friends, and terrorize the house together. So be careful what you wish for ;o)

Answer 4

Wow, the poor thing seems really traumatized -- but for what it's worth, I'm GLAD you brought him with you.

I think it takes cats MUCH longer to adapt to new things than it does for other animals. It can take a YEAR for a cat to adjust to a new cat in the house! So you need to just be patient and give him time.

Some things you can do...

Give him as much ROUTINE as you possibly can. Feed him at the same time, clean his litter box the same time, go to bed at the same time -- as much as you can.

There is something called Nutri-Cal. It's a brown paste that comes in a tube. It's a high calorie supplement made for sickly dogs and cats -- most animals LOVE the taste of this. You can try giving him some. You can buy it at most pet stores.

Give him as much attention as you can. Perhaps, instead of keeping him isolated, you should allow him to roam the house and meet the other animals -- he might get through the adjustment period more quickly this way. But that's up to you.

Good luck!

Answer 5

i cant answer your question about hissing because i never had to deal with that before. but cats MUST eat. they are not like humans where they can store fat. cats are meant to eat many small meals daily. and cats do not have the same appetite characteristics as humans, that is the less they eat, the less their appetite is. if they go for more than a few days without eating, they can experience liver damage. once their body is depleted of the small amount of stored vitamins and minerals, their bodies begin to consume their bone matter and muscle to sustain them. so you may have to try and coax or assist the cat to eat. You may even need the help of a vet - just dont let the fasting continue for much longer.

Answer 6

We used this trick when we adopted our third kitten. Keep them separated during the day, and give the older cats something with the new cats smell on it--an old towel or blanket will be fine. They might hiss at it for a while, but they will soon become accustomed to the scent and treat the newbie as one of their own.

Answer 7

I had this same problem with my cat when I moved. She was mean, didn't eat, and didn't seem like she was adjusting well at all. I called my vet and they suggested going to the local pet store and buying some feline pheromones. I know it sounds weird but you can buy diffusers which you plug in and they release a constant pheromone. OR you can do what I did and buy a bottle of it that you spray occasionally. What that does is releases the same chemical that cats release when they rub their face on things and it makes them feel safe and comfortable. I almost ran out of hope with my cat and thought I was going to have to get rid of her but this stuff worked MIRACLES for her. It is definitely worth every penny, its like she is a whole new cat. Please try it for your kitty.

Answer 8

try to make him start to feel at home. do some special things you did at home with him..........best of luck!

: )

Answer 9

well make him feel at home..