Adjusting to new cats?

Question
Hi.

Recently my father-in-law moved in and brought with him his 5 year old female domestic cat (spayed). While our 12 yr old fixed male is just ignoring her, our 10 yr old spayed female is getting very disturbed. She has just developed her second bladder inflammation in the past two months and is peeing blood. Obviously she has been to the vet and is on medication and they I have also brought a plug in smelly which pouts out a calming smell (apparently).

Any ideas what else I can do to make sure that my girl isn't put out any further in her own home?

Thanks
Simone

Answer
Simone,

At 10 your cat is approximately 56 years old. At that age cats do not take stress as well as a younger cat and it can cause health and behavior problems as a result. Older cats are set in their routine and habits, they do not like change.

At any age you cannot put a new cat in with a resident cat(s) and expect them to get along. It very rarely ever works. You need to go through an introduction process which, with an elderly cat involved, could take a couple of months or more, if ever. Sometimes in that situation the best you can hope for is acceptance of the other cat in 'her' zipcode.

Give your cat a lot of attention and kitty treats to reassure her that she is not being replaced in your affections. Give her a place to go that she can be away from the new cat and relax. You want to avoid stressing her as much as possible.

I am attaching some links to good articles to give you further information. (Copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)

Older cat with new cat:
http://www.parmashelter.org/adoption/advice/cats/old_cat_new_cat.htm

Introducing a cat to older cats:
http://www.messybeast.com/Oldcat.htm#addition
http://www.understandinganimals.com/article/7

Also, since you have another older cat, I am including some very good links with information about elderly cats. Being prepared and knowledgeable about the aging process will make things easier for the cats and for you.

http://www.sniksnak.com/resources/geriatric.html
http://www.messybeast.com/towards-end.htm
http://www.2ndchance.info/oldcat.htm

To help keep your cat calm you may want to try Bach's Rescue Remedy. People swear it works. You can get it at a health food store (people use it too), or online.
Bach's Rescue Remedy can be given in the water during any time of stress. You can use up to ten drops every time the water is changed depending on the level the cat is stressed. If your cat does not like the taste (though the alcohol content is almost negligible after dilution), you can rub one or two drops behind the cat's ear. The remedy can be given by mouth, which is the most effective method. Only a few drops (4-8) are necessary, and need not be swallowed, but only must contact the mucous membranes (gums, tongue, lips). Be careful not to contaminate the dropper by touching it to the animal (if this occurs, rinse the dropper in very hot water before returning it to the bottle). You can also add a dropper full to the water dish, or a few drops on wet food (there is no effect of dilution). You can add a dropper full to a spray bottle filled with bottled spring water, and use it to spray a room, carrier, car, around litter boxes or plants, or other problem areas. You can even put a few drops in your hand and pat the animal on the head and around the ears with it--the head is very sensitive to energy and will absorb essences in this way. Bach's Remedies are non-toxic and have no side effects.

For most behavioral problems, you can give it 3 to 4 times a day for 2 to 4 weeks, or add a dropper full to the drinking water every day until no further signs of distress are present.

The Bach Flower remedies are nontoxic and will not adversely affect any other animals in the household. It is fine to put the remedy in a common water dish.

As a last resort there is kitty Prozac. It is commonly given to cats that are stressed or emotionally upset. Usually a two week dose is sufficient. You may want to speak to your vet about it.

It will work out with time and patience.

Tabbi