1 year old cat versus 9 week old kitten?

Question

I have a 1 year old male neutered cat and have just got a 9 week old male kitten. The older cat has always been both loving and agressive ( he likes to bite ankles ) Now he has a new playmate and he doesn't seem to know his own strength. I do not want to seperate them but how can I help them to get along? The older one plays with the kitten as if he is possibly prey, like teasing a mouse and lets go when he cries out. Yet he lets him share his food bowl????? Is there something I can buy from a vet to calm him down until the kiten gets a bit bigger???

Answer 1

This is big brother picking on little brother. You said he lets the little one go when he cries, so he is being a "good boy". You said they eat together.....stop worrying, they will be just fine. If he was holding the kitten down and not letting go when he cried then you might have a problem. Enjoy the playtime and don't give him any medication. He doesn't need it.

Answer 2

I have a cat, who I call an "only" cat. It is like the only child syndrome. When you introduce a new cat. At first the old cat feels a bit put out and will in many cases attack the other cat. It is a territory thing.

The cats I had before this one. I had two cats at the same time and while they more or less got along. The one cat would always pick on the other. I would yell at them to stop and they would stop.

I wouldn't get any drugs to calm the cat down. I think the older cat does like the new kitten, but he doesn't know his own strength. The best way to deal with a cat is to think like a cat. If both cats know you are the master, they will obey you, so just scold the older cat if he hurts the kitten. He will stop. Also pay the same attention to both. The older cat may also be a bit jealous of the younger one.

Answer 3

First, I would like to say that I am surprised that the breeder let the kitten leave the mother and siblings at such a young age. It is not entirely ethical to give a kitten away until 12 weeks. But, regardless, what is done is done.

If the male cat releases the kitten when it cries out then it is alright that they are playing rough. That is how they learn. He is a young cat of only a year and it is very positive to have two young cats to keep each other company and learn how to be cats through the play. Most reputable breeders believe in either adopting kittens out in pairs or singularly to a home with another young cat. So, relax, they are just being cats. Don't worry about calming him down with anything because he is young and acting appropriately. If the younger cat seems to have had enough, put him in a little crate or bed in another room for a few hours to rest.

Answer 4

If the older cat is sharing the food bowl, then I do not think you have anything to worry about. As long as the older cat is not clawing or visually harming the kitten, they probably like each other. Especially if the kitten goes back for more play.

Cats appear to play rough but its only play. The kitten will get much bigger soon and ther bigger one will have more to deal with.

Answer 5

u mite just wanna separate them on like levels of the house or if u have a spare bedroom, try putting a baby gate ( u know like the ones u use to block stairs if u have a baby at the house ) up on the doorway and put some food in the room. switch off with them, like the 1 year old stays in there for a few hours while the little kitten can run around the house, and vice versa
do that until they r old enough to get along

Answer 6

My neighbor had the exact same situation. It just took time and eventually they learned to get along with each other great. The kitten actually turned out bigger than the first kitty. You could also squirt the cat with a spray bottle if he gets too aggressive. That will stop him right away and won't hurt him.

Answer 7

Leave them alone. They will work it out.
PS: Get that kitten neutered.

Answer 8

eventually they will get along, probably within a couple of weeks or so.