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Introducing new cat to old 13 year now old cat won't eat.

post #1 of 5
12/28/10 at 7:56am
Thread Starter 
I'll make this as short as I can. I adopted a black 2-3 year old black short hair female cat (Rasta) on Christmas eve. I already had a 13 year old persian male (Ricky). I've been keeping them in separate rooms and switching them from time to time so they can get used to each others scents. I've made sure to spend quality time with each so they didn't feel neglected or alone but they've started to drive me nuts they both want to be in the other room but not with the other cat. Ricky won't eat and he's looking despondent now so I'm thinking of just throwing them in the same room together and let them figure it out for themselves. My apartment is roomy but is only two big rooms so there's no where else to separate them. I was hoping to give them each more time to get used to the new cat but when I'm in the other room the cat who is alone goes balistic. Ricky has had other cats in the house for a short time so I know he can get used to Rasta. What do you think?
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post #2 of 5
12/29/10 at 3:02pm
Well, it's been only less than a week and I believe they have not seen each other. Perhaps the strange scents are upsetting them. In the same room, put Rasta in her carrier while letting Ricky (the resident cat has territorial priority) inspect her and the premises. Watch their reaction. I also suggest you use Feliway to calm them.
If it looks like they both are getting comfortable with each other, then try removing the carrier and supervise their interaction. In time, everything will be fine. Good luck.
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post #3 of 5
12/30/10 at 7:28am
Thread Starter 
Last night they were in the same room and Ricky was pretty good. I gave him lots of attention and positive reinforecement and that seemed to help. He did sniff out Rasta and would go between ignoring her and watching her they did touch noses and had a little bit of growling and hissing. She seems to back down and not seek him out yet which is probably good as Ricky needs time. Trying to keep thinks low stress and low key when they they are around each other. Funny thing Rasta seems to like to hang out in the bathtub. She's always going in the bathroom jumping in there...no water there of course.
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post #4 of 5
12/30/10 at 7:41am
This all sounds like a typical cat intro to me. Actually, it sounds like it is going well.

EXCEPT, is Ricky eating now? If not, you need to address that right away. He can't go any longer without eating or his health will suffer. So, do what you have to - give him anything (within reason) he will eat. Gourmet cat food, human chicken baby food (with no onions or garlic), or human tuna are all options.

Feliway works well, but you have to give the diffusers time to work. And if you have a large space, you may need several. The spray can work on things like the carrier or cat bedding and it will work faster.

Robin
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post #5 of 5
12/30/10 at 1:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bastetservant View Post
This all sounds like a typical cat intro to me. Actually, it sounds like it is going well.

EXCEPT, is Ricky eating now? If not, you need to address that right away. He can't go any longer without eating or his health will suffer. So, do what you have to - give him anything (within reason) he will eat. Gourmet cat food, human chicken baby food (with no onions or garlic), or human tuna are all options.

Feliway works well, but you have to give the diffusers time to work. And if you have a large space, you may need several. The spray can work on things like the carrier or cat bedding and it will work faster.

Robin
Ricky is eating ok. He's eating her dry food and she's eating his wet food. I'm thinking this is because they like the change she's been on dry and he on wet because of his IBD. I panic when he doesn't eat because he tends to get sick really fast if he doesn't. He hardly touches water (never did) but seems to do well on the science diet wet food. I'll wean him back on it once he gets used to Rasta. As long as he looks ok I just want to concentrate on their relationship and worry about the food later.
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