Kitten won't be calm around other cats!?

Question

This is kind of complicated, so let me explain. I am in college and I have a 7 month old kitten. He HATES to be alone, so when I go home for the weekend to visit my parents (they have 3 cats that are 2, 7, and 11), I take my kitten home with me. At my parents home, he has his own space in my room with food, water, and his litter pan. The problem is that when he is at my parents house, he acts completely different than he does at home. He growls and hisses at my parents and all the other cats for no reason. Sometimes he even turns on me! My main problem is that in May, I have to move back home for the summer so my kitten will be there for a few months and my parents hate his behavior and the fact that he upsets their cats. When he is at my home, he is the perfect kitten: calm, loving, sweet, loves to be around people. But now my parents call him "Demon" and they dont like him. What can I do to make him calm down and not growl at everyone and try to beat up the bigger cats?

Answer 1

Hi there...cats by nature are territorial animals and any time there's a change in their evironment which is familiar to them it can become quite stressful and they react accordingly as you are witnessing with your kitten. Nearly most cats need time to adjust to a new environment and other pets. Some never adjust to having other pets around, however this is individual to the cat's own personality. Gradual introductions can make a difference if done correctly (see website below). However, like some people some just don't get along and it can't be forced.

Ideally, it may be helpful to keep your kitten confinded to your own bedroom when you move back home next summer since it sounds like you may be returning to school or moving elsewhere. The move in itself will be stressful and introducing him to the other cats may only compound the situation, which may not be necessary if you are going to move again and he'll be alone with you.

Here's a well written article on how to gradually introduce cats to one another if you decide you would like to try: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1433

Answer 2

The Steps to Take

Set up a comfortable "safe room" for New Cat. 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 New Cat 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."

i hope this helps good luck and best wishes.

Answer 3

This is very normal for your kitten, as he is not in his domain and he is showing your parents cats that he can hold his own, so to speak. As for his growling and hissing at your parents and the other cats it is because he is not sure if he is safe in this strange place that you have taken him.

When you move back home for summer with your kitten, try and make sure that you spend a fair amount of time with him as he may be feeling neglected.

I have a similar situation at the moment I have 3 older cats and I bought a kitten home for my kids for Xmas and the kitten doesn't like being around the other cats, as he does not know them yet and it will take time. Be patient with him.

Your kitten is totally normal and being defencive towards humans and other cats is natural.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

Some cats that are with a person most of the time and not with other animals get jealous when they are not getting all the attention they think they deserve. Your kitten is probably showing that jealousy and making a fool of itself.

Answer 5

well, i bread cats, and the prob. is that you need to introduce them to each other 1 At time.
first, take your kitten and put her on a leash, then get the other cat and hold it, come closer and closer little by little, once you've come in contact with all of them let go your older cat, let her sniff around the kitty until she just wont bother with it anymore, then you can let go of your kitty. let them bond, now, maybe your prob will go away, but this will take a few trys, (every day until they have bonded enough to were they will not fight.)

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Answer 6

Rescue remedy and a spray/defuser called feliway work wonders. We did it when introducing my new kitten to the house. She's totally relaxed.

http://www.feliway.uk.com/feliway_uk.nsf/Page?OpenForm