Cat wont eat much, hiding.

Our two year old ragdoll has started hiding under the bed and not eating much, about half of her normal amount. She seems very scared all the time and spends most of the day under the bed. We adopted a new cat a month ago and believe the new cat is wanting to play with her and she doesnt like that so she hides. She has always been a timid cat. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for getting her to eat (we have tried new foods, heating them up) and to adjust better to the new cat? The new cat is hyper active and I think its stressful for her.

Can you divide your home up into two areas for now, one that is ONLY for the timid ragdoll and the other that is ONLY for the bouncy newcomer?  The Ragdoll would probably like a room or suite of her own, with her own litter box and food bowls and water dish, and the knowledge that the other cat will absolutely not be allowed in there.  I had two timid cats that I did this with for three months.  They ended up bonding with each other and when they started coming out of the room a little, they stood up to the other cats and were unafraid.  Now, six months later, they can interact with the others and even dominate them sometimes if food is in question.  I started this because one cat would not use the litter box (any litter box of the 6 around) that any other cats used, for two years.  Once I had him in the room with the new rescue, who was shy, suddely he owned the box!  He will now use the litter box in that room and share it with her and two other cats.  There is something about the timid ones that requires them to become a large frog in a small pond for them to discover their mojo.  Hopefully someone in your family will let the Ragdoll be his/her exclusive cat and sleep with her and keep her safe in one room for awhile and she will come around.  Try it for a few weeks -- the change doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen.

You are not using any of these flea treatments on the cat are you?  My cat started out doing this and it was due to toxicity from these products and she is now dead from these poisons! 

I hope this is not the case but if you are using them (specifically Cheristin for Cats or Comfortis) please stop immediately! 

This particular breed of cat (Ragdoll) is a known statistic for having severe reactions to the above named products which contain spinetoram or spinosad as they have WHITE FEET/LEGS. 

Side effects can be found here for spinosad (aka COMFORTIS):

http://www.theinternetpetvet.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Spinosad.png

http://www.theinternetpetvet.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Spinosad1.png

I hope you can figure out what is wrong!  Best of luck in any event. 

No flea treatments.

So you are decently sure its the stress, NOT  her being sick sailing up?   A sick cat behaves often similiarly..   So a vet check up is wise here.

If you truly believe its the stress you could try with a Feliway adapter in her room, making her feel more relaxed, more harmonious...   Relaxing calm music may help too...

And of course, as said before, have them separated, and very slow, careful introduction.

Ps Of course, is she is almost immobile, not moving much and hiding, she doesnt need as much calories as usual. so her not eating much is no fire sure sign here.  Still - its somewhat alarming, it is.

Thanks for the replies. We took the new cat to my Moms for a few days and Henrietta was acting fine--not hiding and eating normal again. Brought the new cat back and Henrietta is hiding and not eating well once again. Vet ran bloodwork and checked her physically
but found no issues.

Slufferk said:

Thanks for the replies. We took the new cat to my Moms for a few days and Henrietta was acting fine--not hiding and eating normal again. Brought the new cat back and Henrietta is hiding and not eating well once again. Vet ran bloodwork and checked her physically
but found no issues.

Click to expand...

Ok, so now we do know.  So its just to run the full course: Feliway, relaxing music, some separation and a slow introduction.

I suppose the new one isnt bullying, just too lively and intensive??   Be sure you are good friend with the new one too - it makes it easier to talk them down, soothe the tensions with your voice and sounds...