New clingy kitty

Hi everyone!

I recently adopted a 2 year old kitty from the shelter. He was surrendered from a multicat household and seemed very shy and nervous when at the shelter. He's super tame, very affectionate and social. Though, he doesn't eat much (I believe it's because of his underbite), he's not too lethargy.

That is, until he's left alone. So I also have another cat. Same age but also adopted. He's very playful and active so we thought after a year, it'd be time for a new friend and companion as we work throughout the day.

On the first day, we got a little two excited and introduced the two cats immediately. My cat is very friendly and always wants to play... I believe that is the case with the new cat as well. But the new cat attacked my current cat so we it hit us that it would be best if we confined the new one.

It's been a few days now, they are able to eat by crack of the door with a crack so they can see each other (about 3in apart) no problems. No hissing/growling/nothing.

BUT the new cat, whenever he's confined and with no human contact. He refuses to eat, he doesn't sleep and just cries all night and day while banging/pawing/scratching the door. But he is perfectly fine when there is someone inside to supervise him.

Today, he snuck out as I tried to pay him a visit and he went straight for my resident cat.. So I don't believe its time for them to meet again yet. I put him back into the room and likewise, he continued to try to get our attention.
I checked up on him a few hours later and there were (minor) blood streaks on the walls/doors/etc of where he pawed. I checked his paws and it seems like there were burn marks on his fingers from pawing so much.

Does anyone have any recommendation? My entire family has been losing sleep and it would break my heart to take him back to the shelter as he's such a sweet kitty.

I'm new and long time lover but not a cat expert, that being said...

He came from a social environment so when he's in a room alone I wouldn't be surprised that he raises a fuss. Sounds like kitty wants some company - ?? Can you put new kitty in a room with a "primary person" for company and training? If we're accustomed to company, it's hard when there isn't any all of a sudden. The resident kitty attacking new one is something to consider - please folks, help!

Hello! Me too! I am a fairly new cat owner but lover for long time.

Yeah, we're trying our best to have someone with him at all times but its going to be difficult when we all go back to work. I'm currently taking a few sick days so in a few days I will have to return.

I am actually surprised that my resident kitty is really playful around him. He just wants to sniff and make friends but new kitty just stalks/growls/glares at resident kitty.

Surprisingly, they have no trouble sharing beds/litter box/toys but new kitty is resource protecting quite a bit.

Hi, I am new to the group. I can relate to the post. I have had my 6 month old Birman since Valentine's Day and he is EXTREMELY clingy. He is always either under my neck or on my lap. Actually I love it most of the time as I have become quite attached to the little guy. If I put him down he runs and jumps right back. When I get up out of the chair he tries (and has successfully a few times) to jump on my clothing to climb up so I have ended up carrying him with me when I go to another room--otherwise he follows me. It seems to be getting worse. He won't lay on his cat tree anymore (like he is in the photo). He just wants to be close to me.

He wasn't eating so I finally figured out if I put his dish on my lap I can get him to eat.  I took him to the vet, had a blood test - he's fine but he does have a little cold - otherwise no other health issues.

He would likely meow too if I had to lock him up. I wonder if he will grow out of this, or if his is just his personality. I want him to get over the little cold so I have been persuading him to eat--he only eats one little can a day, that does not seem like enough so I guess I'm spoiling him for now. Or am I setting myself up to have this clingy problem get even worse.

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So they're getting used to each other - smells from litter box, beds, shared toys...it might have something to do with 2 male kitties, the younger uncertain of his place in a new environment. 

What you described with resident kitty being comfortable and curious while new kitty is protecting his resources at the very least sounds somewhat normal for one coming into a new environment. I wouldn't leave him alone at night if he's pawing the walls so badly though,  

Have you tried counter conditioning / desensitization when the two cats are together, with positive reinforcement (treats for all when they have nice interaction)?How is he with family members - calm, content, playful? That seems important for bringing him into the family. I wouldn't leave him alone since he's started pawing at the walls so badly. 

Keep doing what you can by introducing new things in increments and making sure he has company, hang in there. I've always had a cat from age 5, my bro had the dog, but like I said I'm not a professional. We had a single-cat household until I went to college and when I received a 1 yr old male as gift I adopted a 2nd kitty; I was lucky and didn't have any major issues. That was a 1 yr old male, 6 mos female, both fixed.

Good luck!