My One Cat is Jealous of my New Cat, What Should I Do?

United States
January 6, 2010 6:16pm CST
I have one cat who I got around 2 years ago. She is 2 1/2 years old. About a couple days before Christmas I got another cat who is only 5 months old. He is very nice and everybody gives him attention and not my other cat. My old cat is starting to hiss at him and chasing him. I am concerned that she may hurt him by accident. What should I do?
4 responses
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
7 Jan 10
everybody gives him attention and not my other cat There is your problem... First, if you can, isolate the new cat and give your old cat lots of love and attention. Yes, spend some time with the new cat, but only where the other cat see it. Let them sniff each other under the door and after a week switch them, so the new cat can put some of his smell where your old cat is living while the old cat can get used to his smell in the separate space. Only do this for a few hours at most. Do this for a while, a week should be more than enough and then try introducing them again. The most important part of the reintroduction is that you give your attention to your old cat, so she doesn't feel that the new cat is replacing her in your affections. There will probably be a bit more hissing, but it shouldn't be as bad and hopefully they will sniff noses. Kind of do this by opening up the space the new cat is in so the older cat isn't feeling so much threatened by his coming into her space, but by just having the 2 spaces opened up. Good luck
@kaylachan (59064)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Jan 10
It is perfectly normal for there to be hissing going on. When you introduce a new cat to an old cat, the process is very slow. It will take time and is something never to be rushed. If you have a routine you do with your older cat, continue to do that routine. Keep things as normal as possible, and don't neglect to give the cat the same attention that its had. That its always had. Otherwise jelouicy will occour. Most cats older ones become taritoral of their home. So it takes time for things to work out.
@BinaryKat (735)
• United States
7 Jan 10
I agree with the other mylotter. My mom owes four cats. The eldest cat, Lucky, had to get used to the other three. She picked on all of them until they stood up to her to show her she couldn't knock them around. Just keep an eye on the little one and the elder will get used to sharing space with another kitty.
• United States
7 Jan 10
Not to worry that has happened to me with so many different cats around mine you just have to keep a close eye on them for a little while until they get used to each other and they will get along sooner or later. Since the young one is so young you really need to watch them closely for a while.