My cats are not getting along?

Question

Ok, about 5 or 7 years ago we got a cat, we call her Kitty. She was the most darling kitten and we all loved her to bits and still do. Lately, she's seemed depressed and lonely. So we decided to get another cat to keep her company and play with. So we looked around and found this one kitten whom we loved, Fluffy. Now, she was quite hard to adopt. We were very lucky to adopt her in the end, so we were happy. Now, we weren't expecting Kitty and Fluffy to become best friends right off the bat but, I've been getting worried. Day 1, we brought in the carrier with Fluffy and Kitty was quite curious. Open the carrier and here comes Fluffy ready to meet her new 'sister'. She goes to sniff her and Kitty right away hissing at her and goes running. So very smooth first meeting. Things were like that for awhile hissing fits and running away. We didn't see Kitty much at all. I've been really missing her. She won't play anymore or let us hold her anymore.. Though she didn't like to be held much anyway but it's much worse now. She doesn't have her nightly crazy sessions of running around the house like a maniac, which I do miss A LOT. She won't eat her food anymore, she'll eat Fluffy's though. Which I'm not sure is the best thing. Today, I've notice that she's recently develoved a cough ? Like she's got a hairball and can't quite get it out. Hopefully that's what it is. I'm scared she's sick. I don't know if she's been going to the bathroom lately. I'm pretty sure she has. I just don't ever hear her anymore digging in her litter. These past 3 or 4 days the 2 of them can be in the same room. Fluffy will try to play with her but no response from Kitty. I try to give them both even attention but, it's hard when Kitty has seemed to not want anything to do with me lately... Fluffy is with us the entire day going bonkers over anything that moves. She's been a happy camper. I love Fluffy to pieces but, I do miss my Kitty. Any Advice to speed up the getting along progress??? Or at least smooth things out ? I appreciate it !

Answer 1

The older one might be sick.  Get her checked out.  That might be part of it.

I kind of doubt it.  That's a big age difference between the cats.  The older one is set in her ways, and doesn't want to deal with a kitten.  Plus she feels a little threatened because she's eating the kitten's food (she's thinking, "if I eat it's food, it'll be forced to leave.")

Try just feeding them both out of the same bowl, and as long as they aren't getting into drag-down fights, they'll reach an equilibrium.  It just may not be as friends.

Answer 2

Let me first say that you made a mistake in introducing the new cat right away. Cats need to first feel like they have a "territory" that they feel comfortable with (i.e. have been given time enough to explore) before they are introduced to an older animal which "owns" the house. They also deserve a chance to "settle in" to their new home before being exposed to another stressful situation. I have always had a lot of luck with keeping a new cat in my bedroom for the first week or so (with its own litter box and food/water of course!). Then, after about a week I simply leave the door open... If you do this you can keep an eye on the eating/bowel habits of your new cat for a few days so that you can get to know what is its normal preference for food, litter, etc. Also this gives you the opportunity to let it adjust to the presence of the older cat...try placing toys and bedding that the original cat uses in the room with the new cat and vice versa...I think that really helps.

BTW I think it is highly unlikely that your cats will ever become "friends" because of their age difference and traumatic first meeting...and especially if they happen to be of the same gender.

Answer 3

more treats for kitty and a trip to the pet store. let her pick out a toy