Old Cat Not Eating After Kitten Moving In

cowsrcute

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I have one cat that is 10-14 years old (Libby). I recently took in a kitten (Callie) that was in bad shape from a stray. After getting her back from the vet, I kept her. I had her separated by cage for the first week. I had Callie in bathroom at first but Libby wouldn’t leave the door so I put Callie in the cage soon after and Libby lost interest. While the kitten was caged, I did let her out to play with her.

After the week, I let her out to explore. Libby hissed and swatted at her which I told her no. She would walk away when I tell her no. After like 4 days I just decided to let Libby swat Callie since I saw the kitten would pounce on Libby and Libby didn’t use claws. I wanted the kitten to learn boundaries and it seemed safe. So after like two days of that, the kitten still pounces and when she gets swatted she would think Libby was playing with her. There was no more hissing and they sleep together and can lay near each other or walk to greet us together. Just when Callie is energized, Libby will swat and get away.

Now like a week later Libby just hides away all day. I try to give her her favorite ear and neck scratches which she normally pushes in against my hand but now I can tell she is just tense and doesn’t care for it. She gets nervous when anyone else approaches her so my husband has been avoiding her to help her stay unstressed. It’s getting worse now because three days ago she hid all day under the bed and only came out once for water and never for food. She loves food. I even gave her her favorite foods and treats and she won’t eat. Around when I first got the kitten, she loved eating the kittens food so I went to get the adult version the next day I mixed in a little with the old food and I also gave her a separate bowl with her old food only just to see which she would eat. She ate only out of the mixed bowl but only like half of the amount and then later puked 4 times. Yesterday she went back to not eating at all even though I gave her the mixed, normal, and wet foods. Later that night, one of the cats peed on the litter mat instead of the litter box. I don't know which cat did it.

This morning I followed her with wet food and kept saying “Libby I want to show you something” which she normally comes over and interacts with whatever I want her to do. She didn’t at first but after begging her for a while she finally took like three pieces and then just looked at the floor not responding anymore.

Libby normally doesn’t have much energy. Even when I play with her she hardly ever wants to play and when she does, she just lays there and paws things. She does cope with change very easily normally though as I’ve moved multiple times and once even across the country on a road trip (since she hates crates so planes were out of he questions). It didn't even faze her. She explored a bit and went back to her routines. It’s weird because I thought she was coping with the kitten pretty well since she sleeps with her and watched her play. She hangs out near me even with the kitten nearby and the two cats can be touching each other as long as Callie isn’t to energised. Now she is just hidden away and won't eat and hardly drinks.

I’m not sure what to do. Should my husband still try interact with Libby even though she licks her lips and twitches her tail? I’m worried she might be feeling left out because we do play with the kitten more than her but only because she doesn't like play or much attention. When she wants attention it is normally later in the day. Oh also, she use to sleep on my head but the kitten jumps on the bed which we let since we wanted them to sleep together on the bed but Libby would leave. Now Libby doesn’t come in the bed at all. I’m worried she thinks she is getting replaced but I don’t know what to do to help her feel better because she doesn’t like to much attention and she doesn’t like to play. Since Libby use to come out for attention later in the day and that is normally when Callie gets active, is it possible she isn’t coming out because of Callie. She use to come out and watch Callie play but not anymore since she is just hiding. It feels like maybe she was trying to cope with Callie and now she just can't deal with it.
 

cheeseburger

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Part of doing proper cat introductions is getting your resident cat 100% comfortable with what is going on when moving to the next step. This introduction has been rushed and your resident cat is stressed.

I would suggest that you go backwards in introduction steps. Separate the cat and the kitten physically and do not reintroduce them until your resident cat is acting normally again. At each introduction stage, make sure your resident cat is happy and comfortable before progressing.

A visit to the vet is probably also a good idea to rule out any medical issues for not eating, as that can also be a sign of medical distress.

How To Fix An Unsuccessful Cat Introduction

How To Successfully Introduce Cats: The Ultimate Guide
 

FeebysOwner

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I agree with cheeseburger cheeseburger . I think Lily, because she is older, isn't dealing well with the energy of a kitten. It sounds like the more Lily was exposed to Callie's friskiness the more stressed and upset Lily has become. And, given her age, it could have affected her health.

Anytime a cat, especially older an one, goes into hiding like that and isn't eating much is when you have to rule out a health issue first. Lily, is a senior and should have a full senior check up, including the full senior blood panel (CBC, Chemistry Profile, T4 for diabetes), at least annually. If she hasn't had one recently, I would make that the top of your To Do list.

After that, I would make sure Lily has a safe space/room to go - somewhere she can resort to without having to hide under a bed. And, if she is no longer teaching Callie boundaries/manners, you will have to step in to do so. Callie will have to learn that Lily is not a play-mate.

Here is yet another article that might help.

How To Introduce A Kitten To An Older Cat
 
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