New place, New personality....?

Question
I adopted my first cat about a year and a half ago from the local SPCA animal shelter. When I seen her, I knew she was the one. About a day after taking her home, she got sick. She wouldn't eat or drink. I let it go on for a few days, but still no improvement. I finally took her to the vet. The vet gave me antibiotics to give to her daily. She hated them, but as I gave them to her, I felt a special bond between her and I. She eventually got better. At the time I was living with my sister, who also had a cat. I kept my cat in my room while her cat was out and about, and I let my cat out while her cat was in her room so they can get used to eachothers scents. They starting playing under the door gap, so we decided it was time for them to be introduced. They got along great. After about 5 months, I moved out. I then moved into a house with a dog. As before, i kept my cat in my room. I didn't see too much of a change in her personality. When the dog was let outside, I let her roam the house and get used to the scents. She was fine. Here comes the hard part; I just moved two hours away from my house. She rode in the car with me, and she was fine. She just layed down and would meow every now and then. When I arrived, I put her in the room I will be staying in. still, no big change in her personality. My roommate decides to let her out around the house, they same day we arrived, so her cat can have a "friend". My cat starts walking around the new place, she has never stepped foot in, and her cat jumps off the couch to smell my cat. Then all I hear are cats screaming and growing. My roommate gets her cat and put him outside. My cat is now behind the couch growing. Every time someone walks even near the couch, she screams and growls. after about a hour behind the couch, my roommate pulls the couch out to let her get out back behind it. Once again, she freaks out, jumps on the counter breaking dishes and sits in the corner growling. I try talking to her and she won't move. I left her down there that night. The next morning, I went to check on her and she was gone, after a few minutes looking for her, I found her hiding in a corner behind the Christmas tree. I layed down, talked to her, and she came to me. It seemed like everything was back to normal. Two days went by and she was fine. Last night, I went back down to my hometown to get the rest of my stuff. When I got back to my new place, I greeted her and she was affectionate. I closed off one of the rooms (two bedrooms connect), so I can leave the door open and start bring in boxes without her running out. My roommates cat went in there, but I didn't think it would hurt. I bring my stuff into the extra room, making sure her cat was out, which he was, opened the door connecting the two rooms, shut the door connecting to the house. About 5 minutes later I hear my cat hissing and growling like something attacked her, I went to check on her, and once again shes freaking out. Growling, hissing, making horrible noises. I left her alone. I went back up there to go to seep and the whole night, for about 5 hours, she would hiss and growl. I eventually had to sleep in another room. I let her be for about 6 or 7 hours, and she is still the same. I went to talk to her and pet her, and she just hisses everytime I get at a decent distance. So my questions, What may have spooked her the day I brought my stuff in the room? And what should I do to help her calm down? Thank you, Melissa

Answer
Melissa,

She smelled the other cat and more than likely thinks it's in the room somewhere waiting to pounce on her. You also may have the scent of the other cat on you which your cat smells.

It is going to take time and patience, lots of love and attention, plus an abundance of kitty treats (they are a great bribe) to work this out. She has to feel safe, secure, and confidant again.

She is overly stressed out at the moment with the move. She has to deal with a new person in the home, a new cat, new smells, a new room, etc. Let her be. Give her all the time she needs.  When she feels comfortable again she will come to you but don't try to force her. Spend time in your room and softly talk to her and have kitty treats available near you that she can't refuse. Also play with her to relax her and build her confidence. A pet laser light is perfect for interactive play between you two. And eventually excellent for interactive play with the other cat to help them get along.

You should start back at the beginning with introducing new cats to each other. It might take longer to acclimate your cat to this new home and new cat because of the negative experience she's already had. But it will work out with.....time, patience, and love (plus co-operation from your roommate). If for some reason the cat is still staying as stressed for more than a couple of days then I would talk to a vet about putting her on a temporary precription of 'kitty Prozac'. It helps keep them calm as they are adjusting to everything. You can try Feliway (ask at PetSmart, etc.). It is a calming spray for cats that has cat pheronomes (or similar) in it and it comes highly recommended by people that have used it and also by vets.

Keep me posted on how she is doing.

Tabbi