What happens if a cat won’t eat after introducing new cat?
This is a consistent problem in some households and it’s something you have to think about in detail. Cat owners should pay attention to what is aggravating the cat and why it is behaving in this manner all of a sudden.
Most cats are going to be wary of a new cat or any other pet in the house. It will be a change in their living environment and one that is not easy to accept.
The signs of mistrust will include:
- Aggressively Pawing at the Other Cat
- Hiding
- Guarding Its Food/Hissing/Growling
These are common signs something is wrong with your cat and its relationship with the other cat in your home.
To learn more about what happens if cat won’t eat after introducing new cat, go through this article and also figure out how to help.
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Last update on 2023-09-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Neater Feeder Food Bowl for Cats is perfect with its protected ridges, elevated design, and general build quality. The team behind this food bowl for cats has taken the time to design something that is perfect for keeping a cat safe.
With its mess-proof design, this raised food bowl for cats is a joy to use and easy to clean. It will work well for all cat breeds and remains an efficient part of the feeding process.
Whether it is the rubber feet or the sleek look, this is a raised food bowl for cats that is a must for all households.
Reasons Why Cat Won’t Eat After Introducing New Cat
If a cat won’t eat after introducing new cat, the reasons can include becoming anxious, protecting territory, or simply becoming frustrated with a pet that’s aggressive or overwhelming around the house.
Each situation is going to be unique, but it’s important to pay attention to how the two cats interact.
Simply introducing them is not going to be enough. There are several examples of cats that get along well, but there are others that are just going to go their separate ways and/or become anxious in each other’s presence.
It is usually the first cat that is going to start showing signs of trouble because their living environment has changed.
It’s best to keep this in mind and begin working on a way to improve their relationship and how the cat feels about the new cat. The tips below will help with this issue moving forward.
Tips to Follow If Cat Won’t Eat After Introducing New Cat
Tip #1: Use a Protected Food Bowl
A protected food bowl is one of the best investments a cat owner can make. The one listed above is a wonderful example of a food bowl that’s efficient, easy to set up, and is going to provide comfort to the cat.
In general, these bowls are raised off of the ground and will also have a protected barrier along the side.
This will ensure when a cat bows its head down into the food bowl, they are going to have complete protection from other cats. This is imperative, since a lot of cats become wary of other pets because of their food.
The benefits include:
- Complete Protection From Food Getting Swiped
- Comfortable for the Cat
- Easier to Digest Food
By having a raised food bowl for cats, it is a lot easier to keep them focused on what they are eating. Yes, this doesn’t mean they are going to get over the other cat’s presence right away, but it will push them in the right direction.
A traditional food bowl for cats isn’t going to help.
It is going to make them anxious, especially since they have to eat with their head down. This exposes them further and that is the last thing an anxious cat wants as it eats.
Look towards buying this type of food bowl right away. It will make a difference!
Tip #2: Separate the Food Bowls
If a cat won’t eat after introducing new cat, this means it is time to think about separating the food bowls.
If the food bowls are set beside each other, this may cause the older cat to become territorial. As a result, you are going to see the cats pawing at each other, hissing, growling, and confronting each other to claim the spot.
This is unhealthy and unsafe for both pets.
This means you have to find a way to separate the two food bowls and make sure they are on opposite ends of the room or area.
If a cat won’t eat after introducing new cat, they will already be on high alert. This is common, but it also means you can’t expose them to each other when they are vulnerable (i.e. eating food out of a food bowl).
Instead, you want to make them feel protected and that goes for the new cat too.
No one wants to deal with an angry cat and that includes your new cat. It will want to eat peacefully, which is why it is best to think about separating the food bowls as soon as you can.
Tip #3: Stagger the Eating Times
The eating times should also be staggered to the best of your ability.
It’s not about separating the times with hours between them. Instead, just wait 5-10 minutes before giving food to the other cat. You also want to do this in combination with separating the food bowls, so they don’t get confused.
Staggering the feeding times will matter because it’s going to allow them to eat peacefully.
When you do this make sure the other cat is not finding a way into the room. This is going to bother both cats and create further anxiety.
While this isn’t always necessary as long as the food bowls are separated, it’s still important to stagger things as much as possible. It will help alleviate any animosity that’s present between the two cats, especially during feeding time.
If the cat won’t eat after introducing new cat, it’s best to think about making appropriate changes such as this.
It will keep the cats safe and they are not going to overreact every time food is put out. In a lot of situations, this is more than enough to keep both cats happy during the day.
Tip #4: Increase Play Time Between Cats
How are the cats getting along when they are not eating?
They are going to be a part of the family for a long time, which means it is best to bond them as quickly as possible. Is it going to be easy? No, but you are going to have to pursue this type of relationship to the best of your ability.
A good way to do this is to keep them in the same room and see how they interact. You want to increase their playtime slowly.
If you let them get used to each other’s scents, they will not become aggressive.
The benefits include:
- Builds a Strong Relationship Between Cats
- Makes Eating Easier for Cats
- Reduces Stress of New Sights or Sounds
A lot of cats will want to stay away because of the odd scents and/or sounds. This is something they are not going to be used to and it will be hard for them to adjust. However, if you take the time to bond the two cats, they will get used to each other quickly.
In the beginning, you should start with shorter sessions.
This means you should be looking for short 15-20 minute sessions where they are playing together or in the same room. After a while (if everything is okay), you can begin to increase the amount of time spent together.
Tip #5: Keep the Food Bowl Accessible
Where is the food bowl set up right now?
If the cat won’t eat after introducing new cat, it’s time to think about accessibility. This means the food bowl needs to be set up in a manner where it is easy to reach and eat out of.
A lot of cats become apprehensive because the food bowl is in a tough spot for them to reach and isn’t as protected as they want it to be from the other cat. By putting it in an easy to reach spot, you are going to find it a lot easier to manage.
The benefits include:
- Less Fear for the Cat
- Easier to Handle
- Helps Build a Positive Routine for Your Cat
When a cat won’t eat after introducing new cat, it’s time to focus on details such as these. They are going to go a long way in putting the cat ease.
Otherwise, the cat is always going to be apprehensive and may even become angry at you.
Always keep the food bowl on the floor and try to go with a raised variation. This will make it simpler for the cat to eat without having to look around and/or struggle with digestion. The more you simplify things, the easier it is going to become for the two cats.
Final Thoughts
These are the tips to follow if cat won’t eat after introducing new cat.
It’s essential to take the time to understand what is happening between the two cats. Is the older cat only refusing to eat when the other cat is in the room? Has it become an issue that is plaguing both cats or only one?
Having the answer to these questions will take a time.
However, the tips in this article will make it easier to see positive change. It’s essential to stay patient and make sure you are continually building a positive relationship between the two cats.
If a cat won’t eat after introducing new cat, it is essential to do your best to create change.
To learn more, go through these articles on how to help cats with eating – how to stop cat from running away while eating, finest kitten treats for home, leaving food out at night for cats, how much dry food to give to a cat.