Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

My New Cat Keeps Attacking and Growling

I just adopted a new cat yesterday and he was fine in the car on the way home. He didn't seem a agitated or upset but when we got home placed his carrier down he began to growl. Now if i go within 5 feet of his carrier he tries to attack me. I have basically lost access to my room due to this. I don't want to return him but I fear for my safety and the safety of my other two cats. Is there any way I can calm him down or help him.
12 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
That's a good idea and yeah he's stating to warm up I think. My other cats saw him and seemed not to interested at all. They are a bit older then him though.
Helpful - 0
6726276 tn?1421126668
That's fantastic news. On top of the bed!  So much better than under. You can put a few kernels of dry food on a little paper plate on your bed. I even use the snack to get the kitty to come to me later.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
He came out of the carrier and found a corner for a while I sat with him for a while he did not his which was good. Then when I left to cook when I came back he was on my bed. He hissed so I backed away but he seems to be inproving. He still hasn't eaten however.
Helpful - 0
6726276 tn?1421126668
I mean to say your two girls on the harness & leach.  Not the new guy.
Helpful - 0
6726276 tn?1421126668
You are very sweet. What a nice idea. Classical music. Is your new guy out of the carrier yet?  
  Do you have a small room? Like a laundry room?  I've done foster care & sometimes the tamer ones I'll put on harness & leach.  Then clip them to an overhead line.  
  Then another thing is your partner may have an effect on the new cat. When I'm working with a new animal I'm careful around other people. I've seen a cat that was tame get all weird when someone else is around. Sometimes they take to one person at a time.   I also like to handle a cat. I don't usually wear gloves, but you can if want. I put them over my shoulder & walk around so they can see from up high. One hand under back feet for support. The other hand on their back for confidence.   There are other positions you may need to start with however, as with ferals to keep them from biting.
Helpful - 0
587315 tn?1333552783
Opus, Eve, and CML gave you great advice!

I can't stress enough how important it is to keep him in a separate room 24/7 for about a week.  That way, the cats will be able to smell each other under the door and get used to each other that way.  It is better to slowly introduce them in this way.

I'm sure that eventually everything will turn out just fine and you'll have one big happy family!!  =)

Please, keep us updated!  We love to hear how all the kitties are doing!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes he is neutered. We try and sit in there with him and talk to him. We can't really play because if we get within 5 feet of him he growls and goes nuts but we play classical music and talk to him. He has dry food as well as water and litter and toys.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes he is neutered. We try and sit in there with him and talk to him. We can't really play because if we get within 5 feet of him he growls and goes nuts but we play classical music and talk to him. He has dry food as well as water and litter and toys.
Helpful - 0
7052683 tn?1392938795
Hi Hannah,
I am with Opus and Eve on this one. Your kitty is just scared. Whenever we got a new kit we always put them in one room, with their own water, food, bedding, litter box and toys. You might want to put  up a screen so that he can hear, see, and smell the other cats. Eventually their investigation of each other comes to an end. So each day they will be less and less growly, until one day they actually are ok with the others presence ---note the NO Growling!

I am assuming your new male kitty has been neutered, yes?

It is just going to take a little time for your cats to get accustomed to having to share their territory with another cat they do not know.

Please make sure you are spending quality time with the new kitty in his isolation and play is always good. When you are done petting and playing go over to your other cats and pet them--transferring each others smell--especially if you do not have a screened in area. Might I suggest you socialize them one at a time so there is not 2 against one--so when the time comes let the cat he is most comfortable be the first one he is alone with. Then the other and then both. Each new introduction should be supervised and kept to the new cats room and one other room. Letting him out into a big area can be intimidating  

Like Opus and Eve said the new kitty is scared to death of the new surroundings and his new girlfriends. It is like Speed Dating, he needs to learn a little about each of the girls , before he jumps in with 4 paws!
It all works out in time, so don't worry.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Good Luck,
CML
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My new kitty is a male and 2 years old my other two are females one is 8 the other 3
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

Hello Hannah92,

I actually came to the same conclusion as Opus88. Cats have an amazing
sense of smell and your new kitty as Opus said is very scared because
he can smell your other two cats. This is why he is growling. He doesn't
know you and he can smell your other two cats.  Just out of curiosity,
what sex are your other two cats ? As Opus suggested, please keep your
kitty in a safe room away from the other cats until he gets used to this
area and to the scents. In this safe room, I would place a drinking and
eating bowl,  his own litter box and an inviting place to sleep.  
How old Is the new kitty?  How old are your other two cats ?
This can work , but as Opus suggested to you and I agree, this needs
to be done slowly. Your new kitty is really scared. All new surroundings
and smells are really scary for any cat. It may take up to a week or more
but as Opus said it should work out.  Just do it gradually and carefully
and let the new kitty get used to a safe room with the things in it I
suggested.  Good luck to you.   Eve ( mother of Sammy the cat )
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
Hi....the new kitty is petrified...he can smell the other cats in yr house and he is very scared right now, he is in a new location and doesn't know you or them....please just keep him in a safe room away from the other cats this can take a week or more while he gets used to the area an the scents...when he calms down than you can slowly introduce them. Try putting a blanket with other cats scent in his room and one wth his scent in their room...this slowly introduces them before they ever meet face to face.
Good luck, you just need to go about this slowly and it should work out
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Cats Community

Top Cats Answerers
874521 tn?1424116797
Canada..., SK
506791 tn?1439842983
Saint Mary's County, MD
242912 tn?1660619837
CA
740516 tn?1360942486
Brazil
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.