In August, I adopted a new kitten. While I had been toying with the idea off and on for a while, bringing him home at that moment was a bit of an impulse. I knew there would need to be some adjustments with my two existing cats, but 2 months later I'm starting to worry about my older cat.
Bowie is 8 and he is a VERY sensitive and nervous cat. He has always been that way, but it has gotten more obvious over the years. Now, 2 months in to having the new guy, Bowie is having litter box issues. He's pooped outside the box a few times and has peed outside it as well. (Note: he was fine until the past few days.) I am going to try to get him in to the vet tomorrow or Wednesday, but I'm going out of town on Thursday and may not be able to before I go. I'm fairly sure that his issues are stress related, but I will be ruling out medical issues as well.
Bowie is not a fan of Calvin (the kitten) at all. He doesn't like to spend much time in the same room with him. Sable, my 5 year old cat, is okay with him and plays sometimes, but he's not thrilled with Calvin's energy. I admit to having been lax on playing with Calvin as much as I should be. Between work and personal factors, finding it in me to do that has been more difficult than I thought. I'm trying to improve that though.
I did buy a Feliway diffuser refill and have it in one room. I want another one to put in the main living room, so hopefully those will help. I just put the first one out this weekend.
After that preamble, can anyone give me some suggestions for how to help Bowie? I thought maybe Calvin was cornering him in the laundry room where the litter boxes are, so I moved one out in to the living room where there is no walls near it so Bowie would have an escape and would not feel trapped. I'm going to probably close off the den (aka the cat room) for a while and let Bowie have some time alone to just relax. I want to sit down and just have a little time with him myself. I miss having him snuggle with me.
I admit that I am kind of regretting bringing Calvin home. He's very sweet and loving, but I feel so bad for Bowie and Sable. Everyone tells me it will work out and give them time, but I guess I need to hear it again... I know that multi cat situations can work, but I guess I am extra sensitive to my boys being so upset. They mean everything to me, and I haven't truly bonded with Calvin yet, so if nothing gets better, then Calvin is the one who would go back. I don't want to do that, so any and all help will be greatly appreciated!!!
Bowie is 8 and he is a VERY sensitive and nervous cat. He has always been that way, but it has gotten more obvious over the years. Now, 2 months in to having the new guy, Bowie is having litter box issues. He's pooped outside the box a few times and has peed outside it as well. (Note: he was fine until the past few days.) I am going to try to get him in to the vet tomorrow or Wednesday, but I'm going out of town on Thursday and may not be able to before I go. I'm fairly sure that his issues are stress related, but I will be ruling out medical issues as well.
Bowie is not a fan of Calvin (the kitten) at all. He doesn't like to spend much time in the same room with him. Sable, my 5 year old cat, is okay with him and plays sometimes, but he's not thrilled with Calvin's energy. I admit to having been lax on playing with Calvin as much as I should be. Between work and personal factors, finding it in me to do that has been more difficult than I thought. I'm trying to improve that though.
I did buy a Feliway diffuser refill and have it in one room. I want another one to put in the main living room, so hopefully those will help. I just put the first one out this weekend.
After that preamble, can anyone give me some suggestions for how to help Bowie? I thought maybe Calvin was cornering him in the laundry room where the litter boxes are, so I moved one out in to the living room where there is no walls near it so Bowie would have an escape and would not feel trapped. I'm going to probably close off the den (aka the cat room) for a while and let Bowie have some time alone to just relax. I want to sit down and just have a little time with him myself. I miss having him snuggle with me.
I admit that I am kind of regretting bringing Calvin home. He's very sweet and loving, but I feel so bad for Bowie and Sable. Everyone tells me it will work out and give them time, but I guess I need to hear it again... I know that multi cat situations can work, but I guess I am extra sensitive to my boys being so upset. They mean everything to me, and I haven't truly bonded with Calvin yet, so if nothing gets better, then Calvin is the one who would go back. I don't want to do that, so any and all help will be greatly appreciated!!!