Calling all cat experts...HELP

[dschipman]

Okay, I have had cats for years. I just recently "acquired" a new cat, she is about a year old. I have 2 cats that are 3 and 1 other cat that is one. The new cat is extremely anti-social. Her previous owner told me that she has NEVER been around other cats. But I figured no big deal, my cats are pretty social. This cat has been living in my basement for over 3 weeks, the others will go down to "investigate" and she hisses and growls at them. Occasionally I hear a fight break out, but all in all its pretty quiet. I am just really worried that she will never come upstairs and become part of the family. Has anyone ever had this experience with a new cat they brought into their home? I need advise or at least reassurance that I will not have a hermit cat living in my basement forever.

TIA

[SixxOfDiamonds]

Give it a few weeks, she'll become part of the family!

When we vacation, we take our cat with. This past summer I spent a month visiting my parents who also have a cat (Thomas). My cat hid in my old bedroom most of the time, but two weeks later she appeared for about 5-10 minutes every few hours. After around three weeks she was even sniffing nose to nose with Thomas. We left before they could spend any more time together, but every little encounter made her more prone to come out.


My cat was very used to travelling and being in new places (meeting new cats and dogs) and it took her a month to live full-time with a cat.

So, I would just wait it out. It might take two or three months, but as long as your cat has access to food, water and a litterbox, it will be okay.

[frugal.lass]

I don't have any advice because my two cats were adopted from a shelter together (they had always been together so the shelter adopted them out as a pair) but I know how hard it can be when your "babies" are having problems. I'm sure someone on here will have some useful tips. Good luck!

[madhen]

I don't know about most cats, but I know ferals can take over a year to decide to trust you enough to leave their area of safety. I am wondering if you should be letting the other cats in with her so early on? Maybe let her feel safe in her new surroundings before you allow anything more than sniffing from under the door?

[Compte de Yoyo]

Definately give her time, our first cat was adopted from the pound when he was three and he's a Velcro Cat (follows me around, sits in the same room and loves lap time) so we figured he would like a companion. Found a little girl cat around his age after he was with us for two years.

LOTs of hissing and growling the first two weeks with limited contact, then about three months of random fights and territory stakeouts they started chasing each other around to play. At about two years, they finally tolerate sleeping almost next to each other

I used to pick her up to cuddle and as soon as I put her down, she go out of her way to run up to the boy cat and smack him and run away. So ... they have their quirks!

Keep an eye out for catnip, it makes some cats twitchy and others more relaxed!

[fixer]

We brought a rescue into a home with four established cats years ago. It took her months before she became part of the group. She eventually became buddies with our oldest tom. Just make sure the cat is eating and drinking and I think things will eventually work themselves out.

[cheapskate 49]

I have 2 cats.Sammy has been with us for 14years Melle wandered in about 6 years ago....they hate each other,they don't fight just hiss and growl but mostly just ignore the other one.My niece has 2 cats and one I have never seen because she hids all the time...doesn't like people or her other cat,and finally my sister had a cat who was alone all day so she got a companion for her, after a year she had to find another home for Phoebe's friend.
Cats are like people they all have different personalities and your new cat may become friends or may not,I suggest you just persevere,if your cats are social in time that may draw the new one out.Good luck and thank you for giving a home to a rescue cat

[Rebookie]

I think she will prob always be skiddish, but she will fold into the pack sooner or later.

[pinetree]

I know this will probably sound weird but it worked for us.

We had an older vet tell us to buy scented baby wipes. Wipe each cat with one. This way they can't smell each other...(they all smell the same) We did it for about a week & a half, They all get along ok now.. Of course my old cat of 17 really doesn't like anyone around her period. We do have the hiss & bat every once in awhile.

If nothing else give it time. We have brought 3 wild ones in. They are all lap cats now.

Petsmart also sells some kind of spray, which I cannot remember the name of it. It does the same thing as the wipes, Make sure you buy the scented wipes. & just wipe it over them, you don't need to get them wet.

[dschipman]

Thank you everyone for your replies. After having her in the house for one day and her deciding she was staying downstairs, I moved an extra literbox, food and water bowl downstairs. I go down there at least once a day and just sit there. She has let me pet her a couple of times, but mostly she keeps to herself. Which is fine and I know it takes time...I guess I am just worry for nothing, my husband keeps telling me that in a couple a months we won't even remember her hiding out like this. OH well, THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!! I will hang out and just wait for her.

[shoiji]

Just give it time and patience. I had one cat who hid for about two weeks. She would eat at night. It took a while but she turned around. Ended up bringing two other cats into the household. As tiny as she was she always did the hissing and growling while wanting to see what was behind the closed door. Literally lying on the floor to look under the door. It seemed to be her way of letting each additional cat know who was boss. So they finally got used to each other and I would sleep all contoured with three cats sleeping on the bed with me.