What could be wrong with my cat? This started when I brought a new baby home for my 2 yr old cat.?
November 11, 2009 by Petsies
Filed under Cat Health Questions
I bought a kitten for my 2 yr old cat to play with recently. Since bring this kitten home my oldest has stopped meowing(he was VERY VERY talkive) and is inactive, He is still eating, drinking and using his litter. But he is not the same Smooks???? What could be wrong with my baby? PS my newborn has a eye infection??
It’s possible the kitten brought in a viral infection that it has already recovered from but passed onto your older cat. You don’t say how long the kitten has been around your home but that might be the possibility. Just give it a few more days and see if your older cat becomes his normal self again.
Well it’s nce that you haven’t had to complain about fights. All I can tell you is that cats live in a hierarchy when they live together. Make sure the 2 year old is number 1 and that you pay special attention to him with the kitten watching while ignoring the kitten at the same time. He gets the food put down first and treats first ect.
I would also play with him and then in the future you can play with him and the kitten at the same time. I use a shoelace and
go from one cat to the oter giving each a few minutes at a time. They end up sitting in a circ le waiting for there chance to attack and show their stuff
This will pass
Your 2 yr old is mad at you. Give him a few weeks to get use to the new kitten. He will hiss and growl but he will get over it and will eventually be friendly again.
I have 5 cats and every time we brought a new one home, the others got mad at me and wouldn’t even let me pick them up. I made a point to try to pet them everyday and didn’t push them to like the new kitten. I have caught them cuddling with each other and they will now all sit with me on the couch.
Good advise from Ken. Your cat is just upset that you brought home a new kitty. He’ll get over it. Take the newborn to the Dr. for the infection…if the newborn is a cat, go to the vet. On occassion, it is possible for humans to pass infection to cats, so keep an eye (pardon the pun) on the cats eyes as well.
The thing is, cats aren’t people – they don’t think like people, and their behaviour is rooted in instinct not intellectual process.
You know he needs a companion which will be fun to play with.
He thinks that another cat has invaded his territory.
You think the kitten is a playmate.
He has no idea if this kitten will share his space, or try to usurp it.
The good news is that they settle down. In 95% of cases the 2 will achieve a happy balance – but in may take anything up to 6 months.
Don’t force the issue. It makes things worse. You can help by using interacrive play – a piece of ribbon or string which allows one to play at each end, is a good way to start bringing them together.
Don’t put food side by side – start with a good distance of space for your adult, and slowly move the bowls together over the coming weeks.
As for him not being the same cat anymore – he will not be. You were his sole entertainment and comapnion, and he now has a whole lot more to think about
Best of luck
Cats are very bit terriotrial amd you bringing in someone else crosses your cats borders. The attiude is your cats way of saying “NO, This my house! You’re just going to dump me for a new cat? Listen bub it’s my way or the highway!”
Sorry but you need to show your cat you still love it. And you have to try to have your cats be friends.