I have a two year old neutered male cat. I just brought in a new male kitten, who's only 10 weeks. They chase and bat at eachother an awful lot... are they fighting?? The older never hisses or growls or makes any sounds. The younger is a bit more testy and frequently hisses and cries and makes a lot of noise. He bats at the older if he comes near him. The older frequently pounces on the younger and knaws on him a bit... but no blood has ever been drawn. When he does this, I worry that he's hurting the younger, and I separate them. But sometimes the younger will seek out the older and pounce on him!! They have very similar personalities, both playful ougoing males. I thought this would help them get along...but now I'm worried they will always be battling for dominance...
So, are they fighting rather than playing? If they're fighting, should I separate them? Currently, I leave them together during the day while I'm at work because the kitten gets lonely VERY easily...
2006-07-28 03:08:26 · 8 answers · asked by ? 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thanks for everyone's comments. It's reassuring to know they're probably just testing eachother and will get used to eachother! Thanks!
2006-07-28 05:58:51 · update #1
Hun, if the older cat isn't hissing or arching his back at the baby, they are just playing. Cats can be rough when they play but if they fight, you will know it. Also the older cat is tecahing the younger. Your kitten will learn from watching the older male. Let them be together...it sounds like they get along fine. And if the bigger cat is neutered, establishing dominance shouldn't be a problem. I'd guess they'll just grow up acting like brothers. So let them be and you'll see that they are just being cats and having a good time!
2006-07-28 03:12:56 · answer #1 · answered by BamaBelle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had exactly the same situation not long ago. I have a year old male and just adopted a 8 mon old. I was afraid they were fighting at first for the same reasons you are. I would follow them around the house just to make sure they were not hurting each other and every time they started to wrestle around I would separate them. But I also left them alone all day while I was at work (I got the younger cat for a companion for the older because he was very lonely while I was gone). They did this all the time for a week or two. Now they are more used to each other. They still chase each other and play but not as much. Now they sleep together and just enjoy each others company. Give it some time. Most of what they are doing now is testing each other. They will learn to get along.
2006-07-28 03:48:51 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Older cats recognize the fact that kittens are "babies", and they usually dont hurt them. I think its great you have brought another cat for your older cat to have as a companion.
They will play allot, the baby being the initiator most of the time! I have a black male & an orange male, they can play too rough sometimes, but, if one gets hurt or mad, one always walks away..... I have no dominance issues, its very unlikely you will either, as long as they are neutered.
2006-07-28 03:38:41 · answer #3 · answered by Katz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are probably playing, especially if they don't make any noise while they are doing it. It is likely the older one is annoyed by the younger at times, but they take some time to adapt to a new friend in the house. I'm sure they'll be best of friends in no time . . .
2006-07-28 03:54:23 · answer #4 · answered by littlebit449 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are playing - sometimes they can get out of hand though - one of my cats hisses and growls when the other attacks her, but she also pounces on him and attacks him from time to time. I think that they will be fine. You shouldn't separate them - they have a language we can't understand! :) If they were fighting I bet that the little guy would be afraid of the older one, and wouldn't seek him out to play. If you are still worried, though, ask your vet just to give you peace of mind. Cats are nutty!
2006-07-28 03:17:48 · answer #5 · answered by Fortune Favors the Brave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a new kitten and a 12 year old cat and the older hates the kitten so we had to give it away so if the older one is not hissing it's guts out i think the only thing you need is to enjoy and take a tranquilizer l.o.l. ( smile)
2006-07-28 03:15:56 · answer #6 · answered by someone06m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If their claws start to come out while there playing then it's getting a little rowdy. But as earlier said they do recognize that it's a younger cat then them.As far as I can see their fit to be home alone together.=)
2006-07-28 03:53:44 · answer #7 · answered by WalltDisney4evR 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are probably just playing just monitor the situation and if they start hurting eachother then separate them
2006-07-28 03:29:09 · answer #8 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋