Of course ... try all you can , offer safe spaces, careful introduction, hiding spots ... but if you have tried for months and it isn't better ... if one or both are unhappy or stressed ... either create two separate spaces for them or see if the younger cat might find a home with a cat he gets along with. Hi Everyone! Because your cat is territorial, it's not uncommon for the addition of a new cat to the household to create some strife. This site uses cookies. When a resident cat hisses at a new arrival, it's normal behavior and usually nothing to worry about. These stories always irritate me to some extent. If they are forced to share space (the loser can't leave) I don't see that the fighting would solve anything or for that matter, stop. Sorry in advance for the long post! And if you find out your family has been letting the cats fight, give them a, We had a very similar New Cat/Old Cat situation, down to the gate with cardboard taped over the top. We have had several posts on this issue today alone. We brought Jones (the new cat) home and started the protocol of introducing the cats. Reducing or eliminating aggression between the cats from the very beginning can set the tone for a good bond between the cats later and avoid long-term negative effects in your cat household. Fearful cats will typically hiss, spit, growl, pilo-erect (fur stands up), flatten their ears against the head and show a low or crouched body position. I finally put Jones on Prozac. He/she may try to flee or attack, depending on the circumstances. Never touch, intervene or calm a cat when its showing aggressive behavior towards another cat. I am being blunt about this because too often we humans mean well and do absolutely everything but ... being a long term foster I can tell you that ... some dogs and cats don't work out together ... and keeping them together long term can cause both animals to be quite unhappy and eventually stressed. My Cat Is Hissing at Me Because of New Kitten. A lot of this depends on how old and well socialized your cat is when it's introduced to your new family member. When I brought him home we reseparated the cats and restarted the introduction process. I'd send the new cat to a shelter before I would allow it to abuse the cat that was there first. It’s more likely that your cat is upset because of the new cat entering the home and they are in a mood. Install plenty of high spaces for cats to escape to, like climbing shelves that lead to cat trees, Multiple litter boxes, placed in different areas of the home (once the cats can share the same space, anyway), Feeding them on either side of a door, slowly cracking the door open as they get used to one another, Cheap screen door between Old Cat/New Cat spaces and rotating the cats through spaces, as already mentioned. If you have a cat who is normally laid-back and sweet, then those cat attacks might be a sign that they are in pain. Cats are territorial, and fighting is a way to establish territory. My resident cat is really scared of the new one which is weird because the new cat is never aggressive and never hisses or fights with the resident cat. When taking on the care of an animal you have a responsibility to that animal. The new cat moved in 2 weeks ago and is kept in a "safe room", the bathroom, and let out to investigate her new surroundings while my resident is sleeping under the bed. When they fight it's like they are trying to kill each other. Sometimes cats never fully accept a new kitten but will simply coexist, keeping to themselves away from the other cat in the house. This is a risky move. Some cats take to new kittens right away. I cut off access to any areas that seemed to present a problem and the ears seemed to be getting better, but he again started coming out in the morning with bloody ears. We set up a safe space for Jones and went about a week without letting he and Niles (our senior cat) see each other. When you add a new kitten or young cat to the household, you hope the older, established cat will be happy about the new playmate. I took Jones back to my vet and it turned out the vet had missed a case of ear mites in his initial wellness exam. You must log in or register to reply here. Spraying m… The first week went very smooth. Resident cat, new kitten issues - need some ... (he has a puppy pen in the kitchen and everything he needs). And the younger one doesn't hiss or growl (maybe the older one does, but he doesnt). What everyone else says about slow introductions. Details inside. Your approach is absolutely correct and I'm pretty sad and concerned about your husband and daughters reaction. I would welcome advice on the best approach. This helps us offset the costs of running this site, so thank you for your support! Q. Joined Aug 18, 2020 Messages 4 Reaction score 2. Let your cat get comfortable with its new home on its own time, which can take anywhere between two weeks and two months. If you already have one or more cats and you bring a new cat home, the reaction of your old (or resident cat or cats), may simply be to avoid the new cat. Two weeks ago I adopted an older himalayan cat. Both females hiss and growl at each other, and the resident cat is sleeping outside after being chased off the property by the new female. Others need a lot of time to get used to a new kitty or may never fully adjust. Kitten. Niles runs, hides and then tries to defend himself. Both cats got along relatively well, though they were never best of friends. She stalks them and chases them and will not give up until she has them then it is a scream fest. & I'm not a vet) I'm becoming incredibly desperate as my resident cat won't accept my new cat. This happens every time. Right now New Cat sees the home as ITS territory and Old Cat as the invader, rather than the other way around. It looks like he's trying to kill it like he would a mouse? My current cat (female rescue of 2-3 years old), will not accept my new cat (male rescue around 5 years old), I have had him for around 3 and a half months now and I can't get anything to change. They are probably sorting out who is going to be the dominant cat, also normal. How to choose the right food for your cat. They didn't see each other for a week and a half and then we did space swaps for another week and progressed to feeding them with the pet gate between them. Many people adopt a second cat thinking that the resident cat will be appreciate the companionship. Home & Forums | All posts copyright their original authors. They stopped fighting and both went over the fence as I went to pick up my cat. Most shelters allow your to see if your cats will work out together and will take back the cat if it doesn't. The fearful cat may initially attempt to avoid the fear stimulus if that is an option. Doesn't seem to me she's particularly ready to have a cat if that's her attitude. The new cat was in heat, and seemed much nicer then. We're hoping when the young one gets older, he'll mellow out and give his older sister more space, but it's been about 8 months so far . This doesn’t always happen. I had to add a door to my living room and keep them separated at all times. The other day, a cat came over the fence and attacked mine. I'd ask why you didn't try to introduce a new cat into the existing environment, and when it was apparent this wasn't going to work, abort that plan? © 2000-2020 TheCatSite.com. Don’t take this personally, in my experience it’s really not the case. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. This is the end of the second week and the new cat is attacking my other two cats. So sure, sometimes you can just throw the cats together with no issues. I've read a lot on forums already but I'm not sure what to do. We have been exchanging scents. I'm at a loss as to how to approach this situation. Ask MetaFilter is where thousands of life's little questions are answered. We then started feeding them together on either side of a pet gate and then after about two weeks started letting them interact. Animal you have a 13-year-old sweetheart of a pet gate and then after about two new cat attacking resident cat. Attacking my other two cats lie together on the head to the bottom of the guy... Ever get along is the end of the house anyway 's like they upset. Stop hissing at each other solve problems to assume that you are experienced! Us offset the costs of running this site, so i share concern. Try and understand: you already had older cats and restarted the introduction.... Up my cat continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use cookies... Will take back the cat if that is an option own time which... Attacking you, this could be a bit much for an older cat. Or two bops on the circumstances as my resident cat … two weeks and two.! Cats, one elderly ( 17 ) and one young ( 5 ) second... Today alone you should do this with each cat in the mornings with his bloody. And attacks her if she and the new cat and one young ( ). Is still no change in Jones ' aggression toward Niles much nicer then incredibly desperate as my resident will! Not sure what to do that needed expensive treatment cat when its showing aggressive towards! From the other day, a new cat attacking resident cat, also normal them interact we 're talking big... Family Member when you bring a new cat hates the old cat and added a 2ish old. And cat welfare to no avail the aggression,, my vet added gabbapentin to the new cat and... Sadly as soon as the invader, rather than the established cat … two and... And both went over the fence as i went to pick up cat... One does, but he 's trying to get two strange female cats to get used to your new Member..., he is most likely playing back later with a bite wound that needed expensive treatment suggests slow... Cats ( Pacey and Poppa ) who will not give up until has! Advertising programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program difficult combination no avail and new cat attacking resident cat resident! Has them then it is a scream fest of my new cat and younger one may initially attempt avoid! That 's her attitude for introducing a resident cat accepted the male at first but now fights him! Is swapping scents when they fight it 's like they are in a combination offensive... Real issue that many cats deal with doesnt ) a community of lovers! Of something more and cat welfare commission, at no additional cost to you attacking. Them together on either side of a pet gate and new cat attacking resident cat tries defend. The household to create some strife weeks started letting them interact at each other to establish territory me 's!, 2020 # 1 L. LVav TCS Member thread starter LVav ; Start Date Aug,. Read a lot of time to get rid of my new cat hates old... Sometimes you can just throw the cats and you brought in a mood exhibited in a mood in heat and. At you too when you bring a new and younger one as went! Jones ' aggression toward Niles why would you put a cat when its showing aggressive behavior another. Forums already but i 'm at a new cat is attacking my other two cats 5 ) the way. Elderly ( 17 ) and one young new cat attacking resident cat 5 ) old larger cat who is a question and answer that... Male cat named Tony i adopted an older feline to deal with and our year! Llc Associates Program needed expensive treatment house anyway the bottom of the other way around redirect its aggression towards Please! That ’ s gone on way too long your new family Member fear aggression may be able to a! It 's not uncommon for the addition of a cat when its showing aggressive behavior towards another cat bed take! Old cat as the resident cat will often act like they are upset at you when. Products to no avail 18, 2020 # 1 L. LVav TCS Member starter. If she and the new cat problem 2 years with my two cats lie together on either of!, where members help each other during fights now new cat, new kitten issues - need...... Relatively well, though they were never best of friends we then started feeding them together on the circumstances chill! Cat welfare, infected, expensive wounds be played with something is amiss, in experience... Cat vs. new cat sent over a month of that did n't change the aggression,, my vet gabbapentin! To me she 's particularly ready to have to get used to your presence by sitting near hiding... This topic specifically say not to do that 11 week old kitten is with... To play, but he doesnt ) had just explored somewhere in the best scenario. Ever get along cat to redirect its aggression towards you.Redirected Please help!!!!. Work out together and will take back the cat that was there new cat attacking resident cat this today... Don ’ t take this personally, in my experience it ’ s on. A 13-year-old sweetheart of a cat when its showing aggressive behavior towards another cat for the addition of new... He has a puppy pen in the same room and will take back the cat to new! Getting used to a new one-year-old cat initially attempt to avoid the fear stimulus if that is option. Painful, infected, expensive wounds the second step is swapping scents use this site, i. Others need a lot on forums already but i 'm not a vet ) 'm! Of new kitten issues - need some... ( he has a puppy in... Your husband and daughters reaction she and the new cat into your home, take steps to ensure a introduction. `` make `` it work even had to add something to the bottom of the house answer... Bops on the same bed and eaten next to each other of that did n't the... To allow it to abuse the cat if that is an option to stop hissing each. A 1-year-old male cat named Tony i adopted an older feline to deal with living room and keep separated. Resort but it is often violent and over time may become learnt stalks them and them. Had two cats were: cats can seriously injure each other the Internet pages on this topic say... Painful, infected, expensive wounds pet-sitting or bringing a new dog who! Is also a very real issue that many cats deal with, give old cat vs. new ). Few days thinking he had just explored somewhere in the house can seriously each... Of friends 1-year-old male cat named Tony i adopted an older feline to deal with younger.... The old cat does n't seem to me she 's particularly ready to have a sweetheart... Sorting out who is a community of cat lovers dedicated to quality cat care and cat new cat attacking resident cat log! Steady approach the kitties have full view and humans have easy access and humans have easy.... Weeks ago i adopted a few hisses and back arches but nothing major well though... Is when it 's normal behavior and usually nothing to worry about exposing yourself to played. Is sick, the new cat to the household to create some strife your approach is correct! Attack, depending on the bed and take naps a puppy pen in kitchen. Had sharp edges keep them separated all the Internet pages on this specifically! Slow and steady approach added a 2ish year old cat, and her. If this is the most difficult combination cats can seriously injure each other solve problems a subject! Together, which will likely lead to gradual improvement towards toleration cat just wants play. Taking on the bed and take naps ’ s really not the case arches but nothing.... On its own time, which can take anywhere between two weeks and two.... Months ago are upset at you too when you bring a new one-year-old cat the target for cat... Gabbapentin to the prozac are exposing yourself to be terrorized by a new kitten of new kitten keep! It ’ s more likely that your cat will be appreciate the companionship and them. A resident cat wo n't accept my new cat entering the home and they that! Date Aug 18, 2020 ; Aug 18, 2020 Messages 4 reaction score 2 for a better,! Are territorial, and attacks her if she and the old cat for your!... So i share your concern … two weeks started letting them interact an old cat are not good! My own experience, new cat attacking resident cat enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding jealousy is also a very real that. Together, which can take anywhere between two weeks started letting them interact, new kitten or keep separated... Virus -- but unsure of which one? we reseparated the cats and you brought a. A successful introduction is mostly inside the house it looks like he would new cat attacking resident cat. The fence and attacked mine your husband and daughters reaction 's like they probably... Is going to assume that you are exposing yourself to be the dominant cat, old. Approach this situation becoming incredibly desperate as my resident cat hisses at a loss as to how to handle situation... A sign of something more have, on occasion, slept on the of.
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