New cat

Jemima5317

Hi all.

My lovely lovely boy cat sadly died three weeks ago , leaving only girl cat at home. I have now got an older kitten (9 months). I'm keeping kittyboy confined to my living room at the moment, but he hates me - also . I've had him just over two weeks now, and I'm reasonably confident we're making SOME progress - he will sniff my hand, and I sit by his bowl when I feed him and he will eat, plus he'll play, but he's still hissing at me, and won't let me touch him, and, of most concern, he is trying (very hard - he is clearly too clever) to run out of the front door when I go out. I'm interested in views from those who know a bit more - I have girl cat, who is really missing lovely old boy cat, but was a very nervous girl when I got her, and appears to be regressing out of a combination of loneliness, and fright at new boy (I've let her in, and they've sniffed noses, but she bowed down - he's not yet neutered, and I leave them apart all day as I don't want her picked on and I want him to settle more before i give him the run of hte house).

So do I just wait it out, and hope he settles soon (I admit I'm missing my old boy cat, who was a soppy thing, so having one who hates me isn't fun for me ), do I perhaps force the issue a bit by taking him for the snip (so possibly reduce his aggression toward me, but probably make him hate me even more short term?!), let him roam the house to reduce the possibility of him charging out the front door, but also increase the time it takes him to settle as he can avoid me more?! would be really grateful for your thoughts.

Jx

rising_from_the_ashes

So sorry that you lost your boy cat .... of course both you and girl cat are missing him.

Adjusting to a new pet takes a lot of time ..... although I've got Maisie (dog) now but I still miss Ben and all the things that made him "him" - and it will be the same for you and your new boy cat.

Do you know much about his previous history?

If he's not been used to people / other animals it will take him a while to come around and get used to everything - new house, new smells, new people, new animals etc etc

My first cat was a rescue and hid under my bed for 3+ weeks when I got him - I never saw him and only knew he was OK as the food / water & litter tray were obviously being used when I wasn't there!

Give it a bit more time ... but I would get him neutered ASAP ... have you got an old tray or something similar you could leave by your front door and just hold that in front of it when you go in?

Jemima5317

Thanks - I think I'll give him til the weekend and then it's off to the vets for the snip! Poor little sausage (him), but I can't have girl cat going into a decline because she feels unloved and has some adolescent show off boy being all testosteroney at her!

I'll give the tray a try - good thinking, thank you. Although I may have to leave a spray bottle for the way out too!

Jx

moggymutt

Sounds daft, but if he goes to the vet for neutering (asap) then you might well find that he is very glad to be back home with you afterwards.

Jemima5317

Thanks Moggymutt. Yes, poor little chap will be going off to the vets next week I think - hopefully he will forgive me! I really hope so, because he is soooo beautiful, and soooo clever, and I really want to cuddle him (this would NOT be welcomed at the moment!).

Jx