Compaion Cat, Part II
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| Tue, 01-04-2005 - 11:25am |
Hi, everyone,
I posted awhile ago looking for tips about picking a companion for my current cat. We found a younger female at the shelter that seemed to be much like our slightly older male and we brought her home last Wednesday. So it's been nearly a week that they've been together and here's my new problem...
The Original Cat (Katze) seemed to tolerate the New Cat (NC for short, until we pick a name) when we first introduced them. No hissing, no bushy tails. They sniffed each other and then pretty much ignored each other. There's been no fighting about litter boxes or food dishes. Although we have two sets of dishes and two litter boxes they both seem to use all of it interchangeably. There is some minor fighting, usually Katze chasing and lightly biting on NC, but this occurs in the mornings and in the later evenings (when they're both a little crazy), and we tend to break it up if we think the fighting has gone too far - no bloody kitties though and usually they break it up on their own anyhow.
My main concern is how Katze is now reacting - although always a very independent cat, he no longer sleeps on the bed at night, we won't curl up next to us on the couch like he used to and seems to shy away from us when we try to pet him. He was never one for being fussed over or picked up, but he would a least want to be in the same room with us. Now he just disappears to some solitary room and looks....well.....depressed or upset or something like that (if a cat can look depressed). Naturally, I feel guilty about bringing a new cat in. But we did it so he'd have a companion and now he doesn't seem to want to be around either us or the new cat!
Has anyone had this experience? I sincerely hope things get back to normal and he turns back into a happy cat. We thought we were doing the right thing about getting him a companion, but now I'm not so sure. Perhaps it's just an adjustment and they'll be friends soon?
Thanks so much!
Amy

Hi Amy.