Cat change 1 week after getting new kitten

by Patty
(Huntington Beach CA)

We have a cat that is now 14 months old and we have had her since birth. She is a great, friendly loving and always greeted us at the door. Very playful also. The problem is this; we adopted a new kitten, about 6 weeks old. The meeting went very well, my older cat kind of took on the "mother" role. They played together and followed each other everywhere. After 9 days of having the new kitten, the older one runs and hides everytime she sees him. If and when she does come out from hiding she isnt growling or mean with any of us, but when she sees new kitty, off she goes. We have not changed any of our behavior towards her so we dont understand why this is happening. We feel very guilty. Should we? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Answer by Kate
well this is a little strange but if you see it from your cats point of view, a new cat have invaded her territory and she feels threatened by it. Now some cats would come out fighting to try and claim the territory back but your cat sounds a little timid and has decided that she is no longer top cat and is behaving in a subservient manner.
It is important that you still spend plenty of time with her on her own and that you play with her lots to give her some confidence back. Make sure she has separate toilet facilities and sleeping areas so that she has somewhere she feels is hers alone and will feel safe their.

Give it a little time, I’m sure she will regain some of her confidence again, but things can never be the same as the home territory is now not hers alone, she will have to learn to share it.

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