HELP! Older cat still freaked out by 'new' cat

We have 2 cats – Hank, age 14 & Lucy age 2.

Lucy is a new cat for us since November 10th and we have had Hank since he was a kitten. We got Lucy because we had another cat before her for 18 years (Scooter) who we had to put down and Hank seemed lonely.

Lucy is a very good natured cat and wants to see Hank but Hank wants nothing to do with her – he hisses and growls when she gets close to him and then she just backs off and leaves him alone. There have been a few cases where itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s sounded like a murder was taking place but we broke up the party – while I havenâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t seen it, I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t think they have really gotten physical. If we are away during the day - she's put in her room with the gates up (looks like Alcatraz! )

Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m getting concerned because Hank doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t eat as much anymore and his day is spent hiding under the bed even if Lucy is in another part of the house. At night, we lock Lucy in a room so Hank can move about freely in the house. He still likes to sleep with us but is ALWAYS on guard.

We did the whole routine with keeping Lucy locked up and letting them get used to each otherâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s scent and we did the room exchange as well. Now even if Lucy is on the loose in the house, she really doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t bother Hank – sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ll go in his room to see where he is but once he starts growling – she leaves him alone for 4 or 5 hours and then thatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s the end of it.Much of her day is sleeping in a chair in the living room

Any thoughts on what I can do to help Hank be not so freaked out?? He is eating less and Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m getting concerned.

Thanks in advance!

I really don't have any advice since we're just starting the integration process, but I wanted to let you know I understand your concern for Hank. My only suggestion is have you tried the Feliway diffuser or spray? That might reduce some of his anxiety.

Stephanie

Originally Posted by stephanietx

My only suggestion is have you tried the Feliway diffuser or spray? That might reduce some of his anxiety.

Stephanie

Click to expand...

What is Feliway Diffuser or Spray?

Yasmine isnt handling Molly too well since i got her at the beginning of December.

Sometimes introducing a new cat to quickly after another cat has passed away, does not go well. The resident cat can look at the new cat as the predator that took his feline friend and animosity can exist.

Sounds like it is all most posturing and vocal, so it should be okay. Unless they are locked in battle, leave them be to sort it out. Comfort Zone Room Diffusers will definitely help as well.

Originally Posted by yasmine

What is Feliway Diffuser or Spray?

Yasmine isnt handling Molly too well since i got her at the beginning of December.

Click to expand...

http://www.petvetdirect.com/home.asp...rfd=&ovchn=GGL

Feliway is an synthetic analogue of the feline facial pheromone which reproduces the familiarization properties normally produced by a cat when it deposits its own facial pheromones in the environment.

Click to expand...

I just did a search on the internet and found this, I'm not specificially recommending the site or anything.

I am a believer in the Feliway diffuser. I got all the info here...

http://www.catfaeries.com/feliway.html

I just like the site, it was like made for me, all pink and informative. lol.

Anyhow, I have used that stuff scince the day of introduction for our 2 cats, and I think our older kitty would be JUST the same as yours without this stuff.

But i wouldnt know for sure. Im just thinking that's how it would be. They may just need some more time to get used to things. Our resident cat was quite p'd off about the entire situation, untill we got the comfort zone thing.

Some things that worked for me in the the past:

After a week of keeping them apart and a week of switching their rooms so them could become accustomed to eachothers sents. I would let them in the same room for small amounts of time then:

I paid lots of attention to the older cat while the new cat was in the room to reinforce his dominent status so he didn't get jealous of the new comer ....mainly keeping him relaxed while they were together.

When the older cat got fussy or hissed I told him no no in a firm voice to let him know I wasn't going to put up with any agressive behavior...basically training him to put up with the presence of the newer cat. This doesn't work unless your cat responds to your use of no but if you have alot of patience I think most of the time it will work.

I eventually got the cats to get alone fine but it took about a month. After that I would come home and find them both standing by the door together waiting to greet me it was the funniest thing. They became somewhat close.

So our resident cat (Hank) isn't growling as much at the new cat but still spends much of the time under the bed only coming out to use the litterbox.

Having said that, he is almost always interrupted by the new cat while he does his business. We put food under the bed so he can eat.

I've been thinking of doing a 'forced intergration' where we put the two cats into one room (under supervision of course) and see what happens or should we just continue to let things progress.

Life under the bed is bothering me.

Any suggestions??

Patience, patience, patience.
Try the "scent" exchange to get him used to the newcomer faster. Get another litterbox. If possible feed them in the same room but not necessarily near each other at the same time.
I can't think of more right now. Others will have more suggestions.
Good luck!

Buy several litter pans to prevent ambushes. Also feed in separate rooms. Don't pursue the kitty under the bed, he will come out if he feels safe.If you keep diving in after him, or peeking in on him, he will stay under there longer. Shut the door when you feed, feed him out from under the bed always in the same place, keep the food down 30 minutes max than take it away till next time.