Ask Me Help Desk - My new cat I just adopted and my older cat are having issues

My new cat I just adopted and my older cat are having issues, my new cat is always trying to go to the older, not to attack just be near her

I don't understand because the older cat obviously doesn't like her but the newer cat just keeps going up to her, when she's hiding or in general. Right now they are both sitting on the bed, the older one grumbling in the corner while the new ones at the end of the bed. What does this mean?

The new cat has invaded the older cat's territory. That makes the older cat very unhappy. Can you separate them for a week or so?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

The new cat has invaded the older cat's territory. That makes the older cat very unhappy. Can you separate them for a week or so?

No I can't, they have to stay in the same room. I'm worried if I should maybe give the other one back or not...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenxia

No I can't, they have to stay in the same room. I'm worried if I should maybe give the other one back or not...

What are their ages? Tell me how you got each. Are they neutered? (I rescue cats and often adopt them myself. Right now I have three.)

The older one, sushi, I don't know how old she is but she came from the streets and we have had her for awhile, she's my aunt's cat and stays in the same room as me. The new one, Muffin, is 2 years old and I got her from petsmart, she also has to stay in the room with me and the other cat and they can't be in any other rooms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

What are their ages? Tell me how you got each. Are they neutered? (I rescue cats and often adopt them myself. Right now I have three.)

It didn't post as a reply so I'll repost:
The older one, sushi, I don't know how old she is but she came from the streets and we have had her for awhile, she's my aunt's cat and stays in the same room as me. The new one, Muffin, is 2 years old and I got her from petsmart, she also has to stay in the room with me and the other cat and they can't be in any other rooms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenxia

The older one, sushi, I don't know how old she is but she came from the streets and we have had her for awhile, she's my aunt's cat and stays in the same room as me. The new one, Muffin, is 2 years old and I got her from petsmart, she also has to stay in the room with me and the other cat and they can't be in any other rooms.

It didn't post as a reply so I'll repost:
The older one, sushi, I don't know how old she is but she came from the streets and we have had her for awhile, she's my aunt's cat and stays in the same room as me. The new one, Muffin, is 2 years old and I got her from petsmart, she also has to stay in the room with me and the other cat and they can't be in any other rooms.

We have three unrelated female strays of different ages. What we did in our very small house was put out a couple of empty cardboard boxes as safety zones and "caves" to play in and always made sure to fuss over and spend time with the cat who was there with us first. We also talk to our cats in a normal voice to fill them in on what's going on, for instance, "Dido, you haven't been acting right with throwing up and diarrhea, so we have to take you to the kitty doc-doc to see what's wrong. You'll feel a lot better by tomorrow. We've put a soft fleece pad in the cat carrier, so you'll be comfortable. We love you so much and want you to be healthy." And so on.

So talk constantly to both of them, but spend special time with Sushi. Muffin may try to horn in to get petted too, so just happily greet her and ask Sushi if it's okay. Then pet each while continuing to talk with them.

Another thing, our three girls refuse to eat off each other's plates, but drink out of the same water bowl. Our stray boy cats used feeding time to bond and eat off the same plate, but not these girls. That will have to be something to watch and adjust.

Please report in often and tell us how it's going. Other cat people will probably comment and give you more ideas. Don't give up on them yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

We have three unrelated female strays of different ages. What we did in our very small house was put out a couple of empty cardboard boxes as safety zones and "caves" to play in and always made sure to fuss over and spend time with the cat who was there with us first. We also talk to our cats in a normal voice to fill them in on what's going on, for instance, "Dido, you haven't been acting right with throwing up and diarrhea, so we have to take you to the kitty doc-doc to see what's wrong. You'll feel a lot better by tomorrow. We've put a soft fleece pad in the cat carrier, so you'll be comfortable. We love you so much and want you to be healthy." And so on.

So talk constantly to both of them, but spend special time with Sushi. Muffin may try to horn in to get petted too, so just happily greet her and ask Sushi if it's okay. Then pet each while continuing to talk with them.

Another thing, our three girls refuse to eat off each other's plates, but drink out of the same water bowl. Our stray boy cats used feeding time to bond and eat off the same plate, but not these girls. That will have to be something to watch and adjust.

Please report in often and tell us how it's going. Other cat people will probably comment and give you more ideas. Don't give up on them yet.

Thank you so much! They have separate everything. Food, water, and litter. I also keep Muffin from going into the closet where Sushi's stuff is so Sushi has her "safe zone"