💡Learn symptoms & tips to deal with your old 😿 cat depression after new kitten comes in. When you have a new kitten and your existing cat appears to be depressed, it’s not always simple. Hence, you may wonder how to handle cat depression after a new kitten. There are some tips provided by Depression Open Talks to help out!
If you’ve recently welcomed a new kitten into your home, your older cat might feel down. You’re not alone, so don’t worry. After a new pet moves into the house, cats may become envious and depressed. Many cats suffer from this sort of depression 😿. Here are something you should know about this problem.
Signs Of Cat Depression After New Kitten
There are many varying symptoms of your cat depression after new kitten. Below is the list of the most common symptoms I have researched. Your cats might show one or more than one of these below signs. The most important thing is that you should keep an eye on any changes in your cat’s habits.
Appetite Suppression
A decrease in appetite is one of the cats’ most typical symptoms of depression. If you witness they’re eating less than usual or stop eating entirely, that can be a symptom of depression.
Reduced Energy Levels
Changes in energy levels are one of the most typical symptoms of depression. If your cat appears fatigued or has less energy than normal, it might be an indication that they are depressed.
Different Smelling Pheromones
Unlike us, cats rely greatly on their scent. Not only as a source of their identity but also as a way of their comfort. It’s like a familiar smell that can relax them.
They rely on pheromones to accomplish this. They use this to define the zones in your home as ‘theirs,’ claiming it as their territory. As a result, when your new kitten runs through the door, they can startle them. Why? Because there’s a completely new fragrance. This, in their minds, upsets their pheromones and their sense of peace.
Standing Hair
A shift in body language might also be an indication of your cat depression after new kitten. For example, you may notice that the fur on your cat’s body is sticking up more frequently than usual.
Avoiding Social Interaction
When cats feel unhappy, they may become more reclusive and spend less time associating with family members. If your cat appears uninterested in playing or being around humans, it might be sad as a result of cat depression after new kitten.
🔖Related Reading: How dogs react to depression and anxiety.
Grooming Habits Changes
Cats groom themselves numerous times every day. It’s one of their favorite activities. When depressed, they may cease grooming entirely or over-groom to the point of baldness. This is also another sign of cat depression after new kitten.
Hissing and combative
Every cat is unique, although some may appear withdrawn, others may appear aggressive. This is self-evident. If this is the case, you may notice the cat is acting hissing, chasing, or even attacking the new kitten. In certain circumstances, it will pass with time. In other circumstances, you may need to be proactive and separate them, even if only briefly until your resident cat adjusts.
Changes in Vocalizations
One of the most evident indicators of sadness after getting a new kitten is vocal cues. When your older cat is melancholy, you may observe greater vocal communication. Many dissatisfied cats will be far more noisy than normal. The noises also vary; instead of their usual meow, you may hear low-pitched yowls and rumbles.
Over Scratching
If your cat is unhappy or feels threatened by the presence of your new kitten, they are likely to try to recover its territory. Unfortunately, this may include some scratching to your furniture to fragments while doing so. If this is the case, it will be noticeable. It’s also an excellent time to pay attention to your local cat.
Sanitary Problems
Depressed cats frequently have bathroom accidents. Although they are litter trained, they may begin to urinate outside their litter box. This is due to the fact that their urine includes pheromones, and urinating throughout your home aids in spreading their scent and reestablishing their territory. It makes them feel more at ease and content.
High vantage points in your home or spots where your new kitten spends a lot of time are two places you might find your cat peeing. Cats may also revert to spraying, which is more common in unneutered males but can occur in cats of any gender or neuter status.
Tips to Help your Cats Overcome Cat Depression after New Kitten
There are some ways for cats to get on when they experience cat depression after new kitten. It will take some time to adjust, but most cats will ultimately get along.
Get Your Cat Be Well-Prepared
Examine your older cat’s health. Stressing out an already sick cat will only make matters worse, and you may want your cat to be psychologically and physically well-prepared for a new kitten.
Take your cat to the vet for a checkup to confirm that it is healthy and that all of its vaccinations are current. Respiratory diseases are common among kittens, and you’ll want your older cat’s immune system to be ready for whatever enters the house.
If the cat and kitten begin scratching or biting each other, ensure that the rabies vaccine is current.
Introduce Them Warmly
Keep your new kitten in a different room from your resident cat when you first bring it home. This will allow them to become accustomed to one another’s odors. After a few days, try allowing them to see each other while separated by a barrier, such as a baby gate.
Provide Plenty Of Toys And A Play Area For Those
Cats may fight because they are competing for resources such as food, water, or toys. Make sure there is plenty for both of them and that they each have their own region. Take some time and train them to be together.
Reward For Positive Behavior
When your cats are peacefully coexisting, you should praise and reward them. This will reinforce the desired behavior and help them connect being with something nice.
Make Consistent Rules
It’s critical to maintain consistency in your expectations for both cats. If you let one of them sleep on the bed but not the other, they will quickly learn that fighting gets them what they want.
Cat depression after new kitten: Conclusion
This brings us to the end of our discussion on how to deal with cat depression after new kitten. Getting a new kitten is a joyous occasion for every cat owner. Your old cat, on the other hand, may require some time to acclimate to its new friend.
Most cats adjust quickly and enjoy their new family member. If you have any worries about your cat’s behavior, you should seek more advice from your veterinarian.
References
Hauser, W. (n.d.). Cat Depression. ASPCA Pet Insurance. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/cat-depression/
How To Deal With Cat Depression After Getting A New Kitten. (2022, June 11). uzoic. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://uzoic.com/how-to-deal-with-cat-depression-after-getting-a-new-kitten/
Signs of Cat Depression After a New Kitten & How to Help. (2021, December 23). MrBossCat. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://mrbosscat.com/cat-depression-after-a-new-kitten/
Mason
October 19, 2022Thanks. My cat gets better now.
Tips to handle cat depression after new kitten ...
November 29, 2022[…] 💡Learn symptoms & tips to deal with your old 😿 cat depression after new kitten comes in. […]