My roommate brought home a 5 year old 23 lbs male cat and wasted no time in introducing them while I was away. My cat is a 2 year old, 8 lbs male cat who really wanted a friend. Issue is that the older cat is in a new space, and is scared, and will hiss and growl at my cat when he tries to make friends. They are already sharing the same area, and both refuse to leave.
There are no territory issues, as the resident cat wants more than anything to make a friend, but the big brute cat will have nothing to with him at this time. Since the introducion process was not done at all, how can I make the situation a bit better? It is heartbreaking to hear my cat softly mewing and trying to nuzzle this huge beast of a cranky cat, and have the huge beast of a cat hiss and growl at him. Re-homing is not an option, as the large cat came from a friend who moved to non-pet housing.
2007-12-22 12:33:36 · 7 answers · asked by Katie F 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
start all over seperate them and try it from fresh like you would if it was day one it may take time but it will work!
2007-12-22 12:44:14 · answer #1 · answered by Johnnie L 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Johnnie L is correct, It is possible to start over now by separating them and then reintroducing them gradually. It does not always work as well as if you did it in the first place but if they have not had any really violent fights to permanently turn them against each other, it may help!
The new guy may look like a big brute of a cat but fortunately you are sensitive enough to see that his unfriendly behavior is due to feeling insecure, having been suddenly put in another cat's territory. That is traumatic for these extremely territorial animals. With cats I think there are never NO territory issues...that is like the framework of how they see the world. But I think (hope) you probably mean they're not actually fighting, and that the resident cat does not appear to be threatened and defending his territory.
The best way is to start out by giving the big guy his own little quiet room with food, water, bed, scratching post, a toy(s), and litter box. Let him get to feeling secure in his little territory. Spend some time with him every day there, petting, playing or just hang out. Keep your Little Cat out for now, but feed them/give treats at the same time on either side of the door. That way they start to associating something pleasant with each other. After a few days of this, you start doing switches. I'm not sure how the logistics will work in your house, but the idea is to switch territories without having the cats actually meet. Hide Little Cat, let Big Cat roam and explore the rest of the house for an hour or so, while you smuggle Little Cat into Big Cat's room and keep him in there. Do this every day. This gets them accustomed to each others scent, and- -also important- -MIXES the scents- -but without them having to have a F2F confrontation.
You keep feeding them by the door, and the next step is if possible to do that while Big Cat's door is propped open an inch or two, or blocked with some kind of gate that they really can't get through.
If all this is going well and both cats now curious and less fearful or aggressive you can try letting him out.
You can always take a step backward again if needed.
A good way to help cats get along in a multi-cat house is to add vertical space - places they can climb and perch - and cozy hiding places. You can buy or build "cat furniture" or just rig up things in your house.
Some cats become close buddies and groom each other, play and sleep together; others may come to tolerate each other, but no more. You can give them the best chance by a gradual introduction, but you can't control whether they become close friends.
Here is a link to an org with a lot of good cat behavior advice. They also have a telephone hotline.
2007-12-22 13:55:57 · answer #2 · answered by Ariane deR 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The older cat will eventually be friendly with your cat, it just takes a short adjustment period, it may take a week or two but they will eventually be good friends, if they eat together they will start bonding.
You may want to get another cat litter box and separate food bowls, it will cause less Territorial issues, but try to get them to eat together within a few feet at the same time everyday, cats like and expect a routine.
Also keep them separated in different rooms if you think there may be any fighting while they are alone.
Show the older cat a place that may not smell like yout cat.
The older cat may be uncomfortable in the new surroundings which is making him stressed and edgy, the older cat will be friendlier once it gets comfortable. Older cats are often naturally cranky (just like people..lol)
He is just another cat, he cannot help it if he is there, so be compassionate towards him and make him feel welcomed so he will be comfortable with his new surroundings.
They will playing together and having fun before you know it.
2007-12-22 12:56:08 · answer #3 · answered by G S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've had the same issue with introducing new kittens. To be honest, it really depends on the cats involved.
My cat is a grumpy and hostile cat, so when we got two new kittens she was pretty annoyed. 5 years later she still hisses and bats at them.
I recently got a new kitten, and oddly enough, my very affectionate 5 year old cat is very hostile towards her.
I think it just takes time. My cats can cope being in the same room as each other, but they'll never be best friends.
Make sure they have separate food bowls, and that both are shown affection. Good luck
2007-12-22 12:48:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you need to help feel the large cat secure and have them in a spot where it does not smell like your cat a place that is neutral because the older cat is new and he feels like if your cat runs the house because there is the scent of your cat so what you need to do is give him food call him in a low voice and try introducing them in a calm and nice spot where your cat has never been believe it or not a good spot is the bathroom LOL hope it helped.
2007-12-22 12:46:25 · answer #5 · answered by dreamdayser 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give the new guy some hiding places, like boxes put on their sides or a sheltered area in part of the room. He needs time, it should work out. If you have doors in your place, put the new guy into the bathroom so he can have peace and quiet and yet the smaller cat can sniff under the door at him.
2007-12-22 13:00:13 · answer #6 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just give it time. i never did the "procedure" either. It took my cat about two weeks to get along with the cats i was watching. Now he is sad and clingy now that they have left.
2007-12-22 13:10:01 · answer #7 · answered by twinklette.doombunny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋