My husband and I just adopted another cat, picked him up from the shelter on Saturday. He is a 1 yr old male, absolutely gorgeous. We already have a cat, 5 yr old male, who is extremely spoiled. Well the two cats have smelt each other and wanted to play with each other, but aren鈥檛 sure about it. They haven鈥檛 been mean or anything to one another, our cat, Jabba, is a lover, loves all animals and people. The new cat, Solo, is still testing the waters with me and my husband. He will spend most of his day underneath our bed, its an AWESOME hiding/fell safe space. We understand his need to hide, we will get him out from under the bed so we can spend some time with him and get to know him. He seems to be warming up nicely. He was an amazing cat at the shelter, I understand it will take him time to be like that here. It just throws me off though, Jabba, when we brought him home, he was just as he was at the shelter, was running around playing and sleeping with us that same night. Was it becau
Answers:
Cats are a predator by nature and as in all predators your new cat feels right now that he is in another cats ''area'' because the ''smell'' of your other cat is everywhere in the house. it will take time for the ''new'' member to put his ''scent'' in the house. cats have glands in their paws and face that secrete a very faint oil that stays on everything but doesn't harm fabrics,surfaces or anything that they put it on.I hope you have both of your cats neutered because if not you will have a cat ''spraying battle'' for territory. I am very glad that you choose to rescue a cat! Bravo and kudos to you!
It is perfectly natural for a cat from a shelter to feel insecure in a new situation and Jabba's story is unusual. It sounds like he and Jabba will be getting along well together and that's important. So I wouldn't be at all concerned. Just don't force your attentions on Solo right now. Cats hate to be ignored so if you leave him alone for a while I feel sure he will be seeking you out in no time. Let him hide under the bed and don't drag him out from there. I think that will just heighten his fears.
YOUR FIRST CAT WHEN HE CAME HOME HE WAS THE ONLY CAT SO IT WAS EASIER FOR HIM TO ADJUST BUT YOUR NEW CAT KNOWS HES IN THE OTHER CATS PLACE AND IT WILL TAKE HIM LONGER BUT HE WILL COME AROUND JUST BE THERE WHEN IS IT READY YOU CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS HE IS A CAT AND HE WILL BE READY ONLY ON HIS TERMS JUST BE READY WHEN HE IS GOOD LUCK
he has had a huge change in his life..we too adopted a shelter cat...and brought her home to a cat that had been here for seven years at the time...it took a good week or so..now two years later they are the best of friends...let the new kitty figure out his new surroundings...and soon he will be enjoying his new home..expect to see a few smacks from your other cat one has to be the boss...the other cat may have had a problem with someone else before you both..and he may be figuring you out ..to see if the same can be expected
It is completely normal for this behavior. You have just uprooted him and planted him in someone else's territory. But no worries, he will come around. What I suggest (and what we tell everyone at the rescue) is to isolate your new kitty in one specific room (your room for instance) for about a week. During this week, he gets the chance to feel safe and feel like he has a place all his own in your house. Here he can get used to you and start to feel comfortable in his new home. After this week, start letting him out during the day, but closing him back in the room with you at night. This further enforces the idea that this is his sanctuary and he can rest and feel safe here. Continue that for a week or so. Then, I say, give him free range of the house but keep his litterbox in that room so he still feels like it's his. This will help him get used to the house while knowing he has a safe place whenever he needs it. Good luck with your new kitty!
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