Help! Putting my two kittens together?

Question

I had a single kitten from the time he was around 4 months. He's now around 6 months. I just got a new kitten about 2 weeks ago whos about the same age/size.

They're both fixed.

I kept the new kitten in a seperate room that my kitten wasnt used to being in. She has her own box, food dishes, and she stayed in there. They sniffed under the door, and played with one another.

My first kitten chose to sleep by the door to the other kittens room every night.

I held one and my fiance held another last night, and they both purred. No hissing, scratching, etc. My first kitten even started licking the other one.

Today, we allowed them to be together without retraints, and i'm having a lot of problems!! The new one got to look around a bit to get used to her new surroundings. When we let the old kitten out (we've taken a few breaks, seperating them and putting them back together) they seem to start playing but go into fighting/biting and scratching.

Is this normal? What do we do?

The new one seems to be at home now - shes eating where the other one usually eats (though not out of his bowl, ofcourse) and is sleeping on the couch all relaxed. Shes comfortable with us.

Should we just let them go at it, and if they hiss or seem to get nasty, pull them apart..?

Answer 1

I got two kittens a few years ago, and they were not litter mates and roughly six weeks apart in age. They are males and are both neutered.

I think you are going about it the right way by giving them separate spaces and letting them get used to each other slowly. At first we let them play under the door, etc. and then increased their time together while always supervising them. They got pretty rough at times, and there was a lot of biting and rough-housing, and I mean a lot. They liked to do the wrestling move where you pin the other guy with your front paws ans teeth and kick furiously with your back feet. You probably know the move I'm talking about. It was horrible to watch. We would separate them when it got to be too much. They eventually got used to one another and they are now the best of friends! They sleep together and groom each other constantly,and even though they are 4 years old,they still rough-house occasionally.

I think it was a great idea to get a brother for our first male kitten, because we also have a spayed female who is the alpha cat and very grouchy. The boys steer clear of her, but while she is very aggressive towards them, they are very sweet and have always been welcoming to any rescued cats that I have introduced to them (after being feluk tested, of course!). I think your kitties will have a ball and they will be better off having one another. I know people say that cats are solitary animals, but my two kittens really loved one another and still do. Good luck!

Answer 2

It would probably be okay. I had two cats get pregnant at the same time. (I got them fixed after their kittens were born. It's just that we were really short of money when we first got them and I didn't realize they reached reproductive maturity so young.) Anyway, they would nurse each other's kittens if they got the chance. In fact, one cat would often kidnap kittens from the other. The kidnapper would have a big pile of kittens in her nest, while the more passive cat would have only two or three. The passive cat never resisted the kidnapper. I guess she thought it was better to stay and look after the ones who were left than leave them to track down the stolen kittens.

Answer 3

It sounds like one of your kittens might like to play a bit rougher than the other would prefer.

You probably just need to let them work this out between themselves. As long as there's no blood involved and neither kitten seems to be developing anxiety issues (such as obsessive eating or bathing, hiding all the time in a specific location, etc.) it's just a natural process of determining the roles each cat will play in your family.

Answer 4

This could be there form of playing. Kittens are amazing.

If you feel its not them playing(Since I have'nt seen your cats in action) Put some kind of barrier between them and let them get used to each other wihthout being so close. Like a gate or try the door thing again.
Maybe your older kittens jelous! try and keep the new one away from the older ones bowls for a little while untill their totally calm.

Answer 5

It's normal. They are setting their dominance to each other. The older kitten is probably being territorial and basically telling the newer kitten that this is his castle. It will dull down. It is also a normal part of their playful behavior too. One probably hurt the other accidentally which sparked a tantrum. Just give them space and allow them to get used to each other in their own way, as long as they aren't hurting each other. If that happens, spray them with a water bottle when you see them fight.

Answer 6

Fighting/biting may not be hostile behaviour. Observe their ears and fur. My cats do go at each other then start licking one another. But sometimes I gota restrain the more dominant one when play gets too rough. If there is no hissing it's ok.

Answer 7

Yes, this is very normal. They will have little tiffs from time to time until they are used to eachother. In a week, they'll be the best of friends.
Sounds like you're doing everything right. Good job!

Answer 8

I left mine home together when I left for the day when I got home there was no fighting or anything I think maybe becaues the older cat didn't feel like it was having to fight for my attention and they kept each other company through the day.

Answer 9

yes it is totally normal .. they are probably just playing around and what you are doing sounds perfect

Answer 10

That's normal!!! Don't worry they might be friends!!