I don’t know how to continue to keep my cat
Please be kind- this has been EXTREMELY difficult for me.
Approx 2 months ago I adopted a 3 year old tabby. I already have an 11 year old cat. My 11 year old has previously lived with other cats and would snuggle them and everything. When I met the new cat at the shelter (I realize cats can be totally different in that environment) she was very sweet, social and wanted to interact with everyone. I set up a space for her to help with the introductions and followed the basic steps. It did not go well. I have started from scratch 3 times now. About a week and a half ago the new cat charged out of the room and attacked my older cat. My older cat is completely terrified. Our new cat hates being in her room, and I get it, but I also feel bad locking my other cat away for long periods of time because it has been “her space” for a long time. I’ve tried feliway, calming treats, working with a behaviorist etc. she cries constantly. And I mean constantly. She also has started attacking my partner and I. We try to redirect with toys and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I am truly at a loss. I have taken her to the vet and they said she is perfectly healthy. The last thing I want is to bring her back to the shelter but I really don’t know how to make this work. I feel it is making things really hard for my older cat and keeping our new cat in a room (it’s a decent size room but still) isn’t fair to her either.
I am desperate for any advice. If there is anything left to try I am willing, but ultimately I don’t want to be selfish and keep her for my own guilt if she can find a home that’s better suited, and my older cat live more peacefully. It’s important to know I live in an area where cats are adopted rather quickly. They actually take in animals from other states so I don’t believe she would stay in the shelter long, though that is besides the point. I just didn’t want to make it seem like I’d be bringing her to a place where she may have to be euthanized if there too long.
Thanks in advance.