Help with my cats not getting on.

[Lionso]

Hi all. Looking for some advice. We have a cat about 10 years old, female, very placid in nature. She was a rescue a long time ago. We decided to get a new rescue cat as our local shelter had so many and was struggling for space. New cat is about a year or so (vet thinks). We decided against a kitten as we are aware it can stess an older cat out.

We did all the recommended things, kept them separate initially, exchanged bedding items so they got used to scent etc. Our older cat was very wary but she thought she would come round in time. A month later its awful. Younger cat chases her lots (play behaviour it looks like), Older cat growls and hisses. And now has started to poo on our furniture, she has never done this before. I'm guessing its a sign of stress :(

We have tried:- Feliway diffusers (no difference noticed). Playing lots with both together, and especially with younger cat to keep her occupied. Also separate litter trays, younger cat will use both, older cat prefers going outdoors usually. And is now refusing to use any tray other cat has been in.

Ugh this is a ramble but any advice appreciated. We are all surprised by how our older cat has reacted, she has never shown to be worried about other cats before. We had a local cat that used to practically live in our house before and she never bothered about it at all.

I'm at the point of thinking we made a mistake and its very stressful. We have all bonded with the new cat and she is so happy and settled. Its just our older cat I'm so worried about.

[MissConductUS]

These things are usually a territory question. What may help the older cat be more accepting and less stressed is giving her some high spaces to retreat too when she doesn't want to interact with the new one. Something like these shelves or walkways:

www.pinterest.com/explore/cat-walkway/

Cats think vertically more than we do. Something like this gives her more safe space.

Good luck sorting it out.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Zylkene tablets for them, The youngster will eventually grow out of this behaviour.

Are you playing with the youngster lots? Mines a sprinter so 15 minutes of play & he's all tired out.

[MaudesMum]

I'm in a similar situation with my two - older cat shows no sign of mellowing towards kitten after two months. Although she's not pooing/peeing anywhere - yet! My older cat's safe space is my bedroom, right at the top of the house, and she gets quite upset when the kitten goes up there. When I first got the kitten, I made the dining room her base, and I'm still shutting her in there overnight, so she doesn't come and bother the older cat (and me). Every now and then I don't - to see if its got any better, but no - she comes upstairs and it all kicks off! So, that might help??

[Fluffycloudland77]

A months not a long time to a cat. It's a lot of fun chasing the older cat so that's why I thought a play might distract her.

If you get da bird it's irresistible to all cats. Pets at home sell them.

[Lionso]

Thanks for the replies. Yes we are playing with the younger cat loads to tire her out. Its not having much effect so far.

We are planning on letting her go outside after all jabs are done, so hopefully that will tire her out a bit more.

Not sure what Zylkene is, will have a google thanks.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I think going out will help loads, chasing mice is much more fun.

[Lionso]

Just a wee update.

After 6 weeks and all updated jabs we finally started letting our new rescue cat outside. From a bit in the garden to letting her have free reign now. She is spending hours and hours outside, but coming home safely without any problems. Apart from the fact that she has lost her expensive collar and ID tag!

She is chasing older cat slightly less, as she is sleeping more.
However they still aren't getting on, but older cat is at least getting more peace and quiet, as she doesn't go out for such long periods as the younger one does. She seems a bit less stressed.

I don't think they will ever really get on now, but as long as it doesn't escalate to more than growling, and some hissing, I can live with that. I would love to just see them sleeping happily together and grooming but I don't think that will ever happen.