If your cat won’t eat after introducing it to a new household, it’s essential to diagnose the reason.
one of the most common reasons is an existing drug or medication regimen. Your vet will analyze your cat’s behavior, perform a physical exam, and advise us on the best way to feed it.
So, what should you do if cat won’t eat after introducing new cat? While introducing two cats to your home can be exciting, sometimes it can be very stressful for the cat you’re introducing to your other cat.
In some cases, it may take a while for your cats to become accustomed to each other, especially if they have different personalities. While you can’t force a cat to accept a new cat, there are several things you can do to help the process go more smoothly.
For example, don’t change your schedule around to introduce your cat to a new cat. Instead, let the cats adjust to each other on their own timeline.
Also, keep the new cat in a separate area during this time. This will help your cats adjust without suddenly putting them in a stressful situation.
Finally, make sure your cats have plenty of things to do on their own. This will help avoid jealousy and keep their attention off of each other.
What Should You Do If Your Cat Refuses to Eat After Introducing a New Cat?
Maintain Easy Access to the Food Bowl
If the cat refuses to eat after introducing a new pet or family member, it’s important to figure out why.
This implies that the food dish should be easily accessible for the cat at all times. In case your cat does not eat after introducing a new cat, you should rule out separation anxiety from your list. This is because the cat might refuse to eat because he/she is anxious and scared to leave the house.
Many cats feel concerned because the food dish is suddenly out of their reach, and that upsets the house rule they have leased in their brain.
It will be much simpler to feed them if they get used to seeing their favorite foods all the time.
Increase the Amount of Time Cats Spend Playing Together
Keeping them in the same room and providing them with the time to play together will not take a lot of time. The cats may become bonded in other ways if cats won’t eat after introducing a new cat.
The cats will bond together during playtime. They will help each other by grooming each other or play-fight using their tails or paws.
The bonding experience will help the cat accept the new cat more easily if the cats won’t eat after introducing a new cat.
You want to be certain that the cats are spending enough time together as well to avoid anxiety and other stress-related issues later on when the cats are left alone at home without the companionship of one another.
They will not get hostile if separated for short periods of time because they will be busy with their play sessions during the day.
Stagger the Eating Times
Eating times should also not be at the same time for both cats. You need to space the time at least 10 minutes apart for each cat to come for meals.
You might want to feed the cat with the shortest eating time first and proceed accordingly. Last, you should feed them at the same time each time.
This will enable the cat to eat in peace without encountering any abrupt changes in the mealtime schedules.
It is not necessary to alternate between wet and dry food because both will constitute one meal anyway.
Instead, wait 5-10 minutes in between meals so that the cat food will be absorbed in the digestive tract of the felines.
You should also do this in conjunction to the increased amount of time spent playing together so that the digestion process will not be disrupted, making the feeding time less stressful for the pets.
Divide the Food Bowls
If a cat refuses to eat after being introduced to a new pet, then you may want to separate the food bowls to avoid accidents as they will rush in to eat when the other has finished their meal.
If the food dishes are placed close to each other, then there will be less space for each cat to eat comfortably.
The cat in question may rush the other cat considering that the other ate recently while the dish is still waiting for the other cat to eat.
As a result, the food dish will be knocked over and the other cat will eat hurriedly before time or another cat knocks it over too.
Dividing the two food dishes will allow each cat to have their own individual area for their meals, avoiding mishaps that might lead to more conflicts within the household.
As a consequence, you’ll watch the cats learn how to get along with each other better with the extra bonding time they’re spending with each other and you will also avoid the stress that comes with having to watch the kitties fight with one another over food too.
Always keep the food bowls separate so there won’t be any mess or altercations between the cats over their food.
Use a Food Bowl with a Lid
One of the finest purchases a kitty owner can make is a plastic lid for their feeding bowl since it will trap the smell inside and keep the bugs away as well.
The one mentioned above is an excellent example of this type of bowl since it also keeps the dirt out as well as odors that might attract pests into the home.
In general, these bowls are elevated making the food inaccessible for pets’ paws. They can jump around as they please without knocking over the dishes too.
Always use a plastic lid over the food bowl as this may help prevent accidents that will disturb the cats while they take their meals.
If the cat refuses to eat after introducing a new cat, you may not have to separate them completely from each other to keep them from eating the food bowl.
This ensures that when a cat dips their paw in the bowl, the other will have the chance of getting their food instead.
The plastic lid will also prevent the food from getting contaminated and keeping the bugs out as well.
Why Won’t My Cat Eat After Meeting a New Cat?
If a cat refuses to eat after being introduced to a new pet, then it may be due to the fact that the cat sees the new pet as a threat and fears for its own safety or it may be because there is a disruption in the feline’s routine due to the new animal in the house.
Simply introducing them to each other is not enough and making sure that they feel comfortable with each other is mandatory too.
The cats will need to have access to each other’s food and water at all times to make the cats accept each other.
This can help them bond together and alleviate any feelings of jealousy and competition.
Remember that the cats need time to get acquainted with each other and that will take some time.
When they get used to each other, they will spend more time together so as to have each other around all the time for easy companionship.
Because their living environment has altered, the cats will need time to adjust to the changes in their daily routines.
Keep this in mind while you work on introducing the cats and be patient with them because it will happen over time.
Also Read:Why Do Cats Raise Their Backs When You Pet Them?
Final Words
These are the steps to take if your cat won’t eat after introducing a new cat. Follow these steps closely so that you will have more success when introducing the cats to each other.
Otherwise, it may lead to heavy rainfall on your head when the cats start attacking one another over food or even stray accidents that can lead to other health issues for you to deal with.
It’s critical to take the time and make the effort to help your pets adapt to their new companions so as to avoid unnecessary issues later on in life.
It’s important to be patient and to take your time while introducing the animals to each other so that they can feel comfortable in their new home together.
If a cat refuses to eat after being introduced to a new pet, then it may be due to the fact that the cat sees the new pet as a threat and fears for its own safety or it may be because there is a disruption in the feline’s routine due to the new animal.