Does anyone know how to help a cat calm down? (1 Viewer)

[lexus]

Okay so basically my jackass neighbors had moved to another state and they left their cat behind. A few weeks ago my mom let her into our house because she mistook her for our cat

Regardless of that, we've had this cat for a few weeks and she still hides under my bed most of the time and she absolutely hates our other cat. She hisses at him and she still hisses at us even when you just try to pet her. Sometimes we can pet, other times she gets mad about it.

Basically what I'm trying to ask is if anyone has some tips to help her calm down a bit? I know this is weird to ask, but we hate having her hide from all of us and she's still kind of a mean cat

 

[Myco]

All I know from watching The Dodo videos are that it takes time Sorry that I can't be of much help in this

 

[Sana]

Why the hell did they move without taking their cat with them/giving them to an animal shelter? If you can, try to seperate the cats a bit. leave a room for the "new" cat she can hide in, give her some spots for that. Give her some food, a toilet and hang out in that room for some hours a day, give her a chance to get in contact with you after some days, but only if she wishes to do so.

 

[brekker]

Animals are like people. She probably doesn´t feel yet, everything is unknown. I´d be patient and give her food. Maybe try to play with her? When our cat hid behind the sofa, we tried talking to him etc. (stupid, right?) and he later came out because he was more intelligent than us and ..... hungrier. it is all nature and instinct. Also, cats are possessive, so her not liking the other cat might just be some alpha feeling. Also are they both castrated? There might be some hormones at play. Even if they are, some cats are still having instincts.

 

[bulletproof]

Hmmm I don't know tbh but maybe try to let her smell you, give her food... not sure how to get along with the other cat tho since I never had more than 1 cat...

 

[Lovely_Cornchips]

With two cats in the house, you HAVE to separate them. Use a bathroom or bedroom as the new cat's designated spot, get something your cat loves, and put it in there with her, and vice versa so they get used to each other's smells and will begin to at least tolerate each other. Then when feeding time comes feed them by the door, if you can put a clear divider down so they can see each other while they eat it'll be more helpful too. They'll start to associate each other with something positive.

Also, she's in a new environment and it's going to be scary for her. What she needs is her own space, and a place to get away from you all so she can maybe slowly adjust to you all. Giving her a cat tree or shelves to climb up onto will be one thing that would help her out a bit more. Don't force anything either-also there are calming chews for cats and also a scent diffuser that can be used to help calm down anxious cats.

My boyfriend used it so his super anxious cat would be comfier with me being around-now her and I are the best of friends without the diffuser around. I can't promise complete success but this is just some of the stuff I've learned from volunteering and school and actual experience so I hope it helps?

 

[Lovely_Cornchips]

Why the hell did they move without taking their cat with them/giving them to an animal shelter? If you can, try to seperate the cats a bit. leave a room for the "new" cat she can hide in, give her some spots for that. Give her some food, a toilet and hang out in that room for some hours a day, give her a chance to get in contact with you after some days, but only if she wishes to do so.

It's a lot more common than you think at the shelter I help at we get so many people coming in saying their neighbors left and just abandoned their cat or dog. It sucks but yeah.

 

[Sana]

It's a lot more common than you think at the shelter I help at we get so many people coming in saying their neighbors left and just abandoned their cat or dog. It sucks but yeah.

How can people even do that? Do they not care or is there any **king good excuse to do so?

 

[Lovely_Cornchips]

How can people even do that? Do they not care or is there any **king good excuse to do so?

There isn't a good excuse. Odds are they are worried about being judged for going to a shelter and having no legit reason to give their pet up and think it'll be easier just to pretend nothing ever happened. People can be heartless when it comes to pets.

 

[SHlNEE]

Okay so basically my jackass neighbors had moved to another state and they left their cat behind. A few weeks ago my mom let her into our house because she mistook her for our cat

Regardless of that, we've had this cat for a few weeks and she still hides under my bed most of the time and she absolutely hates our other cat. She hisses at him and she still hisses at us even when you just try to pet her. Sometimes we can pet, other times she gets mad about it.

Basically what I'm trying to ask is if anyone has some tips to help her calm down a bit? I know this is weird to ask, but we hate having her hide from all of us and she's still kind of a mean cat

ok first of all
thank you for taking care of the cat and being a good human being

secondly, I HATE YOUR EX NEIGHBOURS

for doing such an evil thing to leave the cat behind
that is so wrong
if you don't want your cat anymore, the least thing you can do is find someone who wants to adopt him or her

have you tried catnip?
are your cats male or female
and what is the new cat?
if its male male thats usually not a good pair when it comes to strangers
is the new cat used to going outside?

 

[SHlNEE]

People can be heartless when it comes to pets.

to pets, others humans, themselves
HUMANS ARE EVIL
often, not always
for example; @honeyfornomoney she can't be evil
she all sweet honey and free for crying out loud, she doesn't ask money, how epic is that

 

[milk]

get some of that good green catnip

 

[DrowningFishy]

Okay so basically my jackass neighbors had moved to another state and they left their cat behind. A few weeks ago my mom let her into our house because she mistook her for our cat

Regardless of that, we've had this cat for a few weeks and she still hides under my bed most of the time and she absolutely hates our other cat. She hisses at him and she still hisses at us even when you just try to pet her. Sometimes we can pet, other times she gets mad about it.

Basically what I'm trying to ask is if anyone has some tips to help her calm down a bit? I know this is weird to ask, but we hate having her hide from all of us and she's still kind of a mean cat

Having delt with MANY cats in my life like this. Give her own space. Enter her space with food and encourage her to approach you to eat. Example sit the fat food bowl on the flor and sit a few feet away. As she eats slowly reach over to pet her. Stop when she reacts then continues as she eats. Have the cat associate you with food. Cat is in a new place and freaked it just needs time to settle

 

[lexus]

With two cats in the house, you HAVE to separate them. Use a bathroom or bedroom as the new cat's designated spot, get something your cat loves, and put it in there with her, and vice versa so they get used to each other's smells and will begin to at least tolerate each other. Then when feeding time comes feed them by the door, if you can put a clear divider down so they can see each other while they eat it'll be more helpful too. They'll start to associate each other with something positive.

Also, she's in a new environment and it's going to be scary for her. What she needs is her own space, and a place to get away from you all so she can maybe slowly adjust to you all. Giving her a cat tree or shelves to climb up onto will be one thing that would help her out a bit more. Don't force anything either-also there are calming chews for cats and also a scent diffuser that can be used to help calm down anxious cats.

My boyfriend used it so his super anxious cat would be comfier with me being around-now her and I are the best of friends without the diffuser around. I can't promise complete success but this is just some of the stuff I've learned from volunteering and school and actual experience so I hope it helps?

Having delt with MANY cats in my life like this. Give her own space. Enter her space with food and encourage her to approach you to eat. Example sit the fat food bowl on the flor and sit a few feet away. As she eats slowly reach over to pet her. Stop when she reacts then continues as she eats. Have the cat associate you with food. Cat is in a new place and freaked it just needs time to settle

Thanks. Sometimes she'll even come up to me wanting pets and will even lay on top me. (I forgot to mention that)
But, she's almost always in my room so both cats are usually away from each other. I'll try to see if I can give her anything to calm her down and try to give her more space when she needs it 💙

 

[LeeHoseok]

Thanks. Sometimes she'll even come up to me wanting pets and will even lay on top me. (I forgot to mention that)
But, she's almost always in my room so both cats are usually away from each other. I'll try to see if I can give her anything to calm her down and try to give her more space when she needs it 💙

This is actually a good sign, the best way to gain the trust of a cat is to let them initiate interactions. It shows them that you are someone they can trust. There are also some supplements and diffusers you can buy to calm cats, if you're interested in that sort of thing.