New cat doesn't doesn't like old cat.

I have a 6 year old male cat and recently got a 1 year old female cat to keep him company. The older male cat is extremely passive and timid and has been trying his best to be friends with the new cat, but all she does is hiss and growl at him and occasionally attack him. He will roll over and meow and play submissive but it's been 2 weeks and she is only hostile towards him. They will get along while they are eating together but that's it. What can I do to get her to be friendlier?

Hi,

Typically we see the existing cat have the issues with the new cat. Your situation is different. But two weeks is not a lot of time in introducing cats.

Typically I would suggest going through the formal introduction process. Here are some links:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-ultimate-yet-simplified-guide-to-introducing-cats

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

If possible I would go through the formal introduction process. We then can associate the existing cat with good things to the new cat. Now you do have a great situation where they can eat together, that is great.

If she starts to growl and hiss if possible if you can try to play with the new cat and distract her that could be helpful.

The younger cat just fears the older cat.  Even with his positive body language. But the more the new cat understand she is not at risk and builds confidence the better she will get along.

I would also step up play with the new cat. After a good play session then feed treats or a meal. Also, if you possible add a few cat trees and cat scratchers so the new cat can start "owning" territory. Also add some comfy and warm beds. And just let the new cat know she is loved. Just don't put yourself at risk of being scratched or bitten.

Please let me know if you decide to go the formal introduction route or if you continue on the current path. Either way I am here to help you through the process. We want to associate the cats with good things and we want to maximize positive encounters and minimize negative encounters.

Please ask anything anytime, I am happy to help you through the process. Two weeks is not long and I fully expect they will get along in time with the correct efforts to encourage them.

Well, the stuff about keeping them apart is too late. I did keep them separated for the first few days, though. I've been trying to distract her with playing when she starts to hiss at him, and that seems to be helping. They are also using the same litterbox now and don't seem to be having any problems with it.  She still won't let him come near her except when they are eating or when they are sleeping with me at night. The older cat will lay on my lap (like he usually does) and the new one will curl up on my chest. She doesn't seem to mind him then, but after they get up and jump off the bed she will start being hostile again if he tries to get too close to her. The new one has also been sneezing a lot and has a lot of eye crud and sounds congested all the time, so I'm worried she might be sick, which is really weird because I just got her from the shelter and she should have gotten a vet checkup before coming to the pet store. Maybe she's being defensive because she's sick?

I would get the kitten checked out by a vet given the sneezing and eye watering.  Just to make sure there isn't anything contagious. We don't want it to spread.

There are a lot of positive signs with how they interact. The fact they eat together and can lay on you together is great. That helps them associate each other with good things (food and love).

What you are experiencing with the resident cat is very normal. It is VERY normal for the existing resident cat to be a bit defensive to a new cat. Cats are territorial so anytime a new cat comes in they feel a bit insecure. That is why we go through the introduction process to ease the transition and let the existing cat know that the new cat is not a threat. The fact they can eat together and be on you are very good signs. Keep distracting if either of them gets funny and keep associating the cats with good things.

We want to maximize the positive encounters between them with no chases, swats etc and minimize any negative encounters. So distracting with play etc. is very helpful.

When the resident existing cat realizes the new cat is not a threat she will be more accepting. Actually, she is being a very good cat so far.

Please keep feeding them together and having them lay on you together if possible without you being at risk of being hurt in any way. Try to step up play with each individually and after play feed. Give them comfy and warm places to hang out and sleep and if possible add some cat trees and scratching posts to they can go up in the world and to get their scent on things.

Please let me know how things go. Hopefully we can go this route and get them to get along. So far so good but sometimes things can go well early and then go down hill. We need to remain vigilant and halt any potential negative trends before they get started fully. But I read a lot of positives.

But I would take the kitten to the vet just to make sure he gets well.

I will be with you every step so please feel free to ask anything anytime. I am happy to help.