I have three cats, two mixed breed kittens who are 8 months old and a pure bred Bengal who is 7 months old. KiKi and Misti the two mixed kittens were here first and played and romped around like kittens will do. They've been together since they were 6 wks old.
When I introduced Susan the Bengal, they quit playing as much. Now all three act as invididuals and rarely play together. Why?
Also KiKi will not eat when Susan and Misti do, she waits until they are totally finished even if I move her portion to another area and let her know where it is, why is this?
Also when Susan (the Bengal) is eating she scratches at the counter like she would her cat box or something??
HELP ME!
2006-10-26 16:13:57 · 10 answers · asked by AbileneTxen 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi there...sometimes when a new cat is introduced to existing cats they will become more reluctant to play or eat together until they establish a pecking hierarchial order over time. Through patience and time this may or may not change...it's all dependant on the individual personalities. This is commonly observed when we have to introduce young exotic cats to one another.
Playing with interactive toys may help encourage the play, but be sure to offer equal time when playing with each kitty.
The pawing action around the food behaviour goes back to the wild cat instincts where they bury their food to be later eaten. It's not common, but also not uncommon with any cat breed. Bengals especially are particularly known to do this as mine do as well.
2006-10-26 16:58:26 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It could be a few things. First, the kittens might just be slowing down with age and this simply coincides with when the other cat was brought into the home. Second, it could be the stress of having another cat around. How long has the Bengal been in your home? If it's only been for a short time, just relax and give it more time. Some cats take a while to warm up to each other. And the kittens may not feel comfortable playing together around their new roommate.
KiKi is probably just being stubborn/watchful. As long as she's eating period, I wouldn't worry about WHEN she eats. Once all the cats are a little more comfortable together, things should start to normalize. Just make sure you still put Kiki's food down at the same time as the other cats. If she gets used to a different schedule, she'll expect it, and it will be harder to build a bond between all three.
Cats often scratch around their bowls. This is instinctual because cats in the wild bury their food to protect it from other animals. My male used do it on our old linoleum floor. Then we moved to our current apartment and he started eating on carpet....the scratching stopped. But now we have a dog, so he's being fed on the table....and the scratching has started again, lol.
2006-10-26 19:01:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I introduced a new cat into the family when I had 2 cats already that were sisters from the same litter. I have had my new cat, Ruby, for a year and a half and they still to not get along or play together and probably never will. There is nothing you can really do to make them play or make them eat at the same time, cats are stubborn that way. I would say that if they are not fighting with claws and fur flying, and they are eating regularly and using the litter box (I have 2 separate boxes, one for the new cat the other for the sisters) then just don't stress about it, maybe one day they will all decide to play together. As far as the scratching when eating, this is just a type of a tick that some animals have, it's not a bad thing. We ave a couple of miniature horses that will paw the ground while they eat and they have dug a hole by their feeder. Nothing to worry about there.
2006-10-26 16:25:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I wouldn't be worried about any of this, honestly. It might be sad that your babies aren't playing together anymore, but it's like the others said... if they're all using the litter box and eating... you're fine.
As far as the one scratching, it can be territorial. Cats have scent markers in their feet (which is also part of the reason they scratch), and she may very well be letting the others know that this is her spot and her food.
I had a cat who was the only one, then we added a dog. They have a tolerable relationship. After several months, we happened along a kitten and when we added her... bam... pee was everywhere. He (the first cat) decided that he needed to mark everywhere. Well, now we have the little one (who should really be named beast because she's a little monster), and they play and enjoy one another but it quickly becomes a domination game... biting and real hard roughhousing. Unless they're really hurting one another... I let them have their time. They're cats working it out in a cat way. Just like yours. :)
2006-10-26 16:39:31 · answer #4 · answered by Madame Gato 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is simply cat behavior - susan and misti are the alpha cats and in the cat world, they get to eat first - its not a big deal as long as Kiki is eating. Cats are not children, they will not act as you want them too and they are probably simply growing out of kitten stage.
Susan is being possesive of her food - thats the only reason she is scratching the counter.
No help needed - your cats are just being cats.
2006-10-26 16:30:05 · answer #5 · answered by cee.lynn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get her declawed. that is not cruel in any respect. We were given my cat declawed even as he became a pair months because he tore up each and every thing and he nonetheless performs with string and all and its thoroughly typical for cats to get declawed. they in basic terms cant do the decrease back claws they in basic terms do the front. even as your cat will in basic terms come out of being declawed, it really is going to be very drained and sleep the entire day so dont be apprehensive. Its paws will also seem gross yet thats only for an afternoon or 2 and then by technique of per week they'll be mushy and cuddly. you are able to placed her on your lap without her claws getting stuck on your clothing. i'd get her declawed if i have been you. we are getting a kitten quickly and would ought to get it declawed. you'll experience so a lot more effective perfect in case you in basic terms get her declawed.
2016-12-05 06:48:20 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow... my cat does that too. Its a maine coon. He scratches like he is in the litter box at everything!! His food when he is done, the wall, my puppy's puppy pads, glass table.. everything. I thought he had ocd or something. Your other cats might feel intimated by your bengal. Im having probs with my maine coon being nice to my new maltese puppy right now.. It seems like its never going to happen. Goodluck. Your kitty's will prob feel more comfortable soon.
2006-10-26 16:52:10 · answer #7 · answered by Deana 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cats are do not naturally run in pacts, in the wild they are extremely solitary animals. Probably when u brought the other cat in the house, it changed the balance on things and now they are dealing in a normal a habitat. I own an animal sanctuary, this is very common.
2006-10-26 17:55:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do you need help? They're cats. And they are just fine. Just being individuals! Relax and have fun with them. :-)
2006-10-26 16:31:38 · answer #9 · answered by hbbeth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I found some good info here.
2006-10-27 22:46:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋