New Kitten in House - Now Older Cat Won't Eat!

[Ted Argle]

Hi,

Just over a week ago, we got a new kitten (still no name for him!)
from the Humane Society so that our existing cat Gizmo would have a
friend. A couple of days later, we saw that the kitten had stopped
eating. A few trips to the vet for the kitten and now he's fine and
eating ravenously.

The problem now is that Gizmo (6 yrs old) has all but stopped eating.
He's also been taken to the vet to get checked out and they said he
looked ok but to take him back if it kept up. As soon as we got him
home from the vet he ate a bunch of wet food but it's been about 2-3
days since then and he hasn't really eaten much more.

We've kept the kitten isolated from Gizmo as recommended by the Humane
Society. I'm wondering if perhaps Gizmo is concerned and/or jealous
about the new kitten.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with an existing cat when a
new kitten arrives in the house?

Thanks.

[Karen Chuplis]

in article 2374cdb2.04052...@posting.google.com, Ted Argle at
tar...@hotmail.com wrote on 5/22/04 6:40 PM:

I have heard people report this before. Tempt him with the best you can.
What ever he will eat. Try baby food even (no onion in it though). You could
even ask the vet for some a/d and if he won't eat it on his own, get a force
feeder to kick start his appetite. Keep us posted.

[LauraK]

>We've kept the kitten isolated from Gizmo as recommended by the Humane
>Society. I'm wondering if perhaps Gizmo is concerned and/or jealous
>about the new kitten.
>
>Has anyone else had a similar experience with an existing cat when a
>new kitten arrives in the house?

Probably jealousy. Make sure you give Gizmo lots of extra attention while
ignoring the kitten. Make it clear to him that you love him and just got the
kitten as someone for him to play with and you really don't like it at all.
Refer to it as his kitten.
Do not pet the kitten in front of him and wash your hands after petting the
kitten before you pet him.
Cats get their nose out of joint pretty easy. Try feeding him baby food -- mine
have loved ham or lamb -- or any other special treats. Make a real fuss over
him.
I had the opposite problem when I adopted Simon as a companion to Peaches.
Peaches, who tends to be plump anyway, apparently thought if she ate all of
Simon's kitten food he'd go away. It didn't work and she's now on diet catfood.
And getting a lot of exercise as they chase each other around the house.
Just remain calm. It takes a couple of weeks and sometimes months for things to
settle down after bringing in a new cat or kitten. Cats don't like change much
and it takes time for them to accept it.

lau...@madmousergraphics.com
http://www.madmousergraphics.com
web design, print design, photography

[Tracy]

Yep. He's having a snit fit. Tey tempting him with canned tuna, catnip
(good appetite inciter) or any other food that excites him. And give
him lots of love and sttention while ignoring the kitten as much as
possible.

tar...@hotmail.com (Ted Argle) wrote in message news:<2374cdb2.04052...@posting.google.com>...

[k conover]

I don't think you need to separate them for more than 1-2 days. Let the
old cat smell the new kitten under the door, bat paws, etc. and then let
them meet supervised by you. Most cats will go on a "hunger strike" when a
new cat is introduced...usually they'll begin eating again after they adjust
but I would not prolong the situation by keeping them apart much longer.
Just give both lots of love and attention...
Kirsten
"Ted Argle" <tar...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:2374cdb2.04052...@posting.google.com...