Hello guys,
I have a question about my resident cat's behavior. The resident cat is a neutered, about 3 years old, very playful and active cat. I used to play with him 1-2 hours each day but he no longer shows interests in playing since I brought a new cat. He doesn't show interests in new toys or his favorite toys anymore. Other than that, he is fine. In fact, he had his annual check up two weeks ago and his health was fine. I am not sure if he is upset and angry at me because I brought a new cat or just too stressed.
It's been about 3 and a half weeks since the new cat came. The new cat is a spayed female, about 1.5 years old, timid and skittish but playful with me. I separated her in the bathroom for 10 days when she first came. During the 10 days, I swapped their beds and blankets, used socks to exchange their scents and also fed them by the bathroom door. And when she came out, it seemed like she and the resident cat were getting along okay. They would hiss at each other when they get too close to each other but there was no actual fighting between them. After two weeks the new cat came, they started to share little boxes, ate next to each other and also occasionally sniff each other. But there was no grooming or playing with each other.
Last week, I started noticing my resident cat trying to ambush and chase the new cat, which then would turn in to a small spat. I gave them time out whenever swatting/spat would occur but now the new cat is frightened by the resident cat that she gets all defensive when she sees the resident cat. The funny thing is now the resident cat seems like he has lost interests in the new cat and simply ignores her and just walks away. And he stopped playing with me
another thing is my resident cat's favorite spot used to be my bed. And he would sleep next to me at night. But since the new cat came, the new cat sleeps with me and the resident cat just sleeps on the floor in the living room. And when I am patting the new cat, the resident cat would come and just stare at the new cat until she walks away.
Is my resident cat bullying the new cat? Is he feeling jealous toward the new cat? I know it has been only about 4 weeks and it could take more time for them to really get used to each other. But I am a little baffled by their behaviors..And I don't want my resident cat to feel betrayed or abandoned by me because of the new cat. I am not sure if I can leave them to "sort" their problems out by themselves and what they need is a little bit more time or if they need re-introduction.
Anyone who has multiple cats experienced similar behavior before when you guys brought a new cat into your house?
Thanks,
I have a question about my resident cat's behavior. The resident cat is a neutered, about 3 years old, very playful and active cat. I used to play with him 1-2 hours each day but he no longer shows interests in playing since I brought a new cat. He doesn't show interests in new toys or his favorite toys anymore. Other than that, he is fine. In fact, he had his annual check up two weeks ago and his health was fine. I am not sure if he is upset and angry at me because I brought a new cat or just too stressed.
It's been about 3 and a half weeks since the new cat came. The new cat is a spayed female, about 1.5 years old, timid and skittish but playful with me. I separated her in the bathroom for 10 days when she first came. During the 10 days, I swapped their beds and blankets, used socks to exchange their scents and also fed them by the bathroom door. And when she came out, it seemed like she and the resident cat were getting along okay. They would hiss at each other when they get too close to each other but there was no actual fighting between them. After two weeks the new cat came, they started to share little boxes, ate next to each other and also occasionally sniff each other. But there was no grooming or playing with each other.
Last week, I started noticing my resident cat trying to ambush and chase the new cat, which then would turn in to a small spat. I gave them time out whenever swatting/spat would occur but now the new cat is frightened by the resident cat that she gets all defensive when she sees the resident cat. The funny thing is now the resident cat seems like he has lost interests in the new cat and simply ignores her and just walks away. And he stopped playing with me
another thing is my resident cat's favorite spot used to be my bed. And he would sleep next to me at night. But since the new cat came, the new cat sleeps with me and the resident cat just sleeps on the floor in the living room. And when I am patting the new cat, the resident cat would come and just stare at the new cat until she walks away.
Is my resident cat bullying the new cat? Is he feeling jealous toward the new cat? I know it has been only about 4 weeks and it could take more time for them to really get used to each other. But I am a little baffled by their behaviors..And I don't want my resident cat to feel betrayed or abandoned by me because of the new cat. I am not sure if I can leave them to "sort" their problems out by themselves and what they need is a little bit more time or if they need re-introduction.
Anyone who has multiple cats experienced similar behavior before when you guys brought a new cat into your house?
Thanks,
