Help- My cats having are hard time adjusting to a new pet

We took in a 3rd cat- very sad situation- the orginal owners had fallen on hard times and lost their apartment- they asked us to take their cat until they get back on their feet

of course we said yes

when she came almost 2 weeks ago- she was almost dead- she weigh 2 lbs

now she is getting healthier, gaining weght and is the sweetest cat - total mush ball- to US

However- she hates my 2 guys and vice versa

it's bad- really bad- she chases my kitten-who is scared of her-

my older cat- wanted to be her friend at first- but now hisses at her- and swats

one of them peed on a cashmere sweater- granted I shouldn't have left it on the floor- but it has never been an issue before

and this morning I found a lovely surprise in my shower- POOP! for the second time (I think this is my older cat- the poop was huge)

so my DH spoke with the owner yesterday- and they hinted at us keeping her FOREVER

the whole dynamic in the house has changed- I don't want to have to keep her- but I wouldn't send her back to a bad situation

any idea to help them become friends?

Message edited 2/28/2008 3:35:26 PM.

Re: Help- My cats having are hard time adjusting to a new pet

Can you keep the new cat in a separate room for awhile? Let them smell each other under the door.
Eventually they will all adjust to living with each other. Even if they are not friends, they will tolerate each other.

Re: Help- My cats having are hard time adjusting to a new pet

I think that is your cats peeing and pooping out of spike that you brought a new cat home.
When I brought a new cat home, my cat peed on any clothes I left on the floor for about 2 weeks. I wasn't sure if he was ****** or was marking me as his territory, as he only peed on my stuff. it stopped after that, and everyone settled down.

2 weeks isn't that long for them to adjust, they may still come around. It ***** that you are being put into this situation.

Re: Help- My cats having are hard time adjusting to a new pet

do you have a seperate litter box for your cats and then the guest cat? I would do that, at least for a while. They can be very territorial about litter boxes and part of the reason they are being spiteful and pooping/peeing could be because they aren't happy about sharing a litter box. Although I agree with the PP, they do it to let you know they are mad.

Make sure you give your guys TONS of extra attention for a while, that might help too.

Re: Help- My cats having are hard time adjusting to a new pet

Re: Help- My cats having are hard time adjusting to a new pet

I will get another litter box tomorrow

we'll see if that helps at all

they have their own food bowls