My cat is a 7year old siamese female. My partner and I introduced another cat , a tabby who is a year old. This was about a 8 months ago and we have moved houses twice in that time. The older cat Diva, has become very withdrawn and hisses and growls at the 1 year old female Sqeeks whenever they are near each other. Diva who used to come inside all the time now only comes home for food and spends most of her time away from the house. Sqeeks only seems to want to play with Diva and be friends. Diva wont have it. I miss Diva terribly and fear I may have to re-house her as I dont think she is having the best life experience in the current situation. Diva is a beautiful cat that has been used to living with me and my 12 year old dog for most of her life. She has found herself in this new situation and seems miserable. I feel awful and just want what is best for her. Is ther any hope? Please Help us, especially My Diva. You should know in case it helps with advice that they have never actually had a fight despite being in the same room. There have been times when Diva has been asleep on the lounge and Sqeeks has been not far from her sitting quietly. Thankyou. Machelle, Bronwyn, Diva, Sqeeks and Gypsy x
Hi,
We have this article about introducing a new cat to a resident cat, hopefully you'll find it useful:
http://mysmelly.com/content/cats/tips-on-introducing-a-new-cat.htm
Best of luck to you all!
We have this article about introducing a new cat to a resident cat, hopefully you'll find it useful:
http://mysmelly.com/content/cats/tips-on-introducing-a-new-cat.htm
Best of luck to you all!
Comments
Now lets solve the problem! What you will need to do is re "Introduce" them but in the right way, cats don't hold grudges but Diva does remember how Sqeeks smells and knows that smell means trouble! You need to associate Sqeeks smell with positive things. if Sqeeks has a favorite toy, let Diva play with it, let her sleep in her bed, Anything that has her Smell let Diva use so she will get used to her smell. Second, Introducing them does not mean just putting them in the same room and letting them do their thing, You need to separate them to two different areas, preferably different rooms where they can smell each other through the door. they will growl and hiss but they can not hurt each other. let them eat next to each other on both sides of the door. if they feel uncomfortable you can place their bowls further away from each other. little by little they will get used to the smell, then you can let them see each other but again, through a screen door or a baby gate or whatever you can get a hold of that will work inside the house, just make a trip to the thrift shop.
Another thing which i always do when I introduce rabbits together but it works the same for cats, is placing them both in a totally new territory, it can be a room in the house they have never been in or a friends house if you have someone who is willing to help, a place both of them had never been before so non of them owns the territory, which wont give them a reason to fight. then what you can do while there is play with them simultaneously with some kind of fishing poll toy or whatever they like and let them focus on the toy instead of each other, feed them treats and just let them get used to each other without the competition, If you could get a hold of a clicker (you can get one for really cheap on ebay) you can clicker train them that is an activity cats love because they get lots of treats and attention, I bought a book that is called "Cat Training in 10 Minutes" and it was really helpful and easy to do. once that happens Diva will relate Sqeeks to positive things, food, play and fun and will except her better in your house.
I would also provide both cat's with their own beds (even if you are used to them sleeping with you, that will just create more competition) their own litter boxes, their own food and water bowls, that way they can both run away to their own quiet place and have some peace and quiet instead of having to see each others face all the time, resulting in Sqeeks running outside.
Good luck and I hope this helps you