hi there i've just got a kitten 6 weeks old and have a cat of about 3 years old and the cat of 3 keeps hissing and making like a grouling noise every time it see's the kitten or smells it what should i do? the little kitten isn't arsed if the cat is around or not but as i say don't know what to do for the best? does anyone have or has been through what i've just described any help will be greatful thank you so much.
2006-12-21 08:21:44 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Its a nightmare I know. Here are some tips:
Set up a comfortable "safe room" for the kitten. Put her food, water, litter box (not near the food), scratching post, toys, and bed or other sleeping mat there.
Expect a great deal of "hissy-spitty" behavior through the closed door from both cats. This is natural and normal; they are just starting to explore their "pecking order."
Scent is very important for cats. Let each of them smell the other indirectly, by rubbing a towel on one and letting the other smell it. They will soon accept the scent as a normal part of the house.
Once or twice, switch roles. Put the kitten in the normal living quarters, and let your resident cat sniff out the new cat's Safe Room.
After a day or so, let the two cats sniff each other through a baby-gate or through a barely-opened door. Gauge the rate at which they seem to be acclimating to each other.
When you think they're ready, let them mingle under your supervision. Ignore hissing and growling, but you may have to intervene if a physical battle breaks out. Again, take this step slowly, depending on how quickly they get along. If they do seem to tolerate each other, even begrudgingly, praise both of them profusely.
Make their first activities together enjoyable ones so they will learn to associate pleasure with the presence of the other cat. Feeding (with their own separate dishes), playing, and petting. Keep up with the praise.
If things start going badly, separate them again, and then start where you left off. If one cat seems to consistently be the aggressor, give her some "time out," then try again a little bit later.
The introduction can take from two hours to six months, so don't be discouraged if your cats don't seem to get along well at first. Often the case is that they will eventually be "best buddies."
2006-12-21 08:28:35 · answer #1 · answered by beanie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats are territorial and the older cat views the kitten as an invader. In most cases they will adjust to each other after a while. Since your first cat is only 3 that will probably be the case. Just give them some time and make sure they have places where they can be away from each other. Also make sure you pay some extra attention to the older cat so it doesn't feel the kitten is taking it's place.
2006-12-21 08:28:17 · answer #2 · answered by hoosiergal0946 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would try putting the kitten in a pet carrier (if you have one) and let the older cat come up and check the little one out. That way the kitten is protected from the cat if it decides to attack. Once the older one gets used to the kitten you should be okay, but make sure the older doesnt think it is being replaced. Spend as much or more time with the older one so it will be less jealous. Also make sure when your kitten is 8 weeks old to get it vaccinated (any shots before then are pretty much pointless, because they still have antibodies from their mother and the vaccines dont help) to protect your kitten and your older cat. You dont want your kitten bringing in anything your older cat can get. Good luck and I hope it turns out ok for you.
2006-12-21 08:35:04 · answer #3 · answered by Ryne's proud mommy 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes.... been there, done that. If your older cat is not attacking the kitten, then just let them be. The 3 yr old needs to let the kitten know that he's the dominant cat. Give them 3 or 4 weeks, and things should be fine. You don't mention gender, but if you've got 2 males or 2 females, you may need to think about spaying/neutering, or when the hormones really kick in, you could have some trouble. Good luck!
2006-12-21 08:27:26 · answer #4 · answered by Tara 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They need some time to get used to one another, especially if the older cat was used to being an only cat. Keep them in seperate rooms for a while, especially for the kitten's safety, but allow them to smell each others company. Let them have turns being in the main living space. Then, slowly allow them to be in the same (large) room together, while you monitor them. Then, once they see more accoustomed to that, start allowing them to be together all the time. Don't spend all your time with the kitten, it will make the other cat jealous - try to make sure they see you spending equal amounts of time on each of them. After a few days, the growling and fighting should subside, and after about a month things will settle into a more normal routine.
2006-12-21 08:33:37 · answer #5 · answered by starlet_8 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
first of all, the 6 week old is WAY too young to be taken away from its mommy! WOW! How'd you get him?
Anyway, the older cat is expressing her dominance over the situation. They may never get along, or the older one might get used to the kitten eventually. You have a better chance of them getting along if you have either one male and one female, or two males. Two female cats, unless they're littermates, will most likely never be napping pals.
I'd just watch them together, and if the big kitty starts to get really mean then lock them in separate rooms and gradually readjust the kitten. Remember, you're pushing a new critter into your older cat's territory. Not the other way around.
Good luck!
2006-12-21 08:45:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yep
i've just got a 4 year old cat and my twelve year old did the same thing it's terrotry nothing to worry about give them a couple of weeks and you three year old will be helping you the house train the kitten
your three year old has it's nose out of joint at the moment lol and probably was thinking that he/she was the only one next to your older cat
all cats are like this when a new cat is introduced to them very rare do they hit it off straight away
i paired my twelve year old up with an older cat when i first got her she was just 6 months old then and my older cat was four she did the hissing then at him but he won the day he passed away so i got another cat.
i got the now four year old five weeks ago and gues what she did the same to him but he won the day last week and today i found them cuddled up to each other for the first time
2006-12-21 08:36:50 · answer #7 · answered by needanswers 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know I can honestly say that this is normal and the older cat will eventually get over it. He is JEALOUS of the kitten big time and he will be letting the little kitten know the pecking order. I have never seen one ever hurt the other when I have done this at my house - many times, I have had many cats and kittens over the years. Make sure you give them BOTH lots of love and attention. The next thing you know they will be sleeping bundled up against each other. I promise.!!
2006-12-21 08:25:29 · answer #8 · answered by nbqhr 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 cats, one 11 years old, and one that is about 6 months old.
When I get a new animal, I always take the first week to slowly integrate it into the household. I keep it crated at night and while I'm at work, to ensure that there are no fights while I'm gone or asleep, and to also keep the pet from getting into things and hurting itself while it is exploring it's new surroundings. After that first week, I just let them have at it, and only step in if I think somebody is REALLY getting hurt.
Animal psychology is THOUGHT to be very different than human psychology, but it really isn't. When a new animal is introduced to an established group (including dogs, birds, lizards, whatever you've got in your house), their "pecking order" needs to be adjusted and reestablished.
I am only interfering in it now because they seem to have adjusted to each other, but the kitten is getting to "that age" and he's trying to "hump" my older cat...so he needs to be fixed very soon!
2006-12-21 08:34:11 · answer #9 · answered by concretebrunette 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The 3 year old cat is trying to tell the 6 week old kitten to leave it alone.
2006-12-21 08:24:49 · answer #10 · answered by Veneta T 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋