Two Little Kittens...Why Can't They Just Get Along???

Question

Ok this is the question. I have had my kitten for about 4 months and now he is 5 months old. I decided that he needs a friend so I adopted a female kitten about 4 months of age. She is much smaller than him and of course she is a female. I thought the fact that she is the opposite sex and much smaller in size would compromise a friendship between them. But it turns out my male kitty doesnt like her after all. He hisses at her, growls at her and he even tried to smack her once. I feel bad for the new kitty because she is so tiny. However, she is also brave and doesnt seem to care about his machoness. I don't know how I can get the two to be friends. I got another kitten so that he can have company. What should I do? How can I handle this? Serious answers please. Thank you.

I got the female kitten a few days ago.

Answer 1

They will learn to tolerate each other. Are they fixed?? How long have you had the new one? Your male kitten is probably still clinging to the idea that she is temporary and will leave and he can get back to normal. He will figure out that normal includes her soon enough. They are young enough that their playful spirits will take over and they will end up friends. :) Just be patient and maybe buy some new toys. It will happen, don't worry!

Answer 2

I had a similar problem but the other way around. I had a female cat around 7 months old and bought a baby male kitten and she hated him. She growled and spat and even was at edge with me if he was around. A new cat introduction needs to be made really slowly. They can't even be in the same room together for at least a week. Then you switch the rooms and let them sniff around and smell the odor of the other cat. Then after about a week of doing this, you put the new cat in a low carrier or container and let the old cat come smell it through the carrier for a few days. Then after they don't react so strongly, you can let them be with each other maybe not all day or alone. It's really slow but it allows them to get used to each other and not be so threatened. My male kitty was also much more aggressive and playful and scared my female kitten. Make sure your male is spayed at 6 months too or he may soon try to mate with the younger female. They will eventually tolerate each other if not actually like each other. My cats chase and wrestle alot but do not actually snuggle or exactly "love" each other like I had hoped. The male one may be more aggressive, watch out and stop it gently by saying No! and removing one of the cats and placing it in another room.

Answer 3

Ok calm down...breathe. I have been through this same EXACT thing. First thing I did was give both kittys a bath with the same shampoo so that they smelled the same. Also to get rid of any prospective fleas, just to be sure. He probably hissed because she smelled different and she was also in his territory.

Next I tried introducing them together for just a few minutes at a time, while petting my first kitten to make sure he knows hes not being replaced. Then I tried getting out a few toys so that they could play. Just be sure to give your first kitten lots of tlc and make sure he knows you still love him. Other than that just give them space, hissing is okay as long as he does't get aggressive. That would be your sign that you need to take the other kitten out of the room for a bit and wait a while.

Answer 4

Give them some time to get to know one another. Make sure you give each of them plenty of attention.

You should probably keep them in separate rooms for a week or so. Make sure you transfer things back and forth between rooms (such as a cat bed or a blanket that one of the kittens has laid on) so that they can get used to one another's smell.

After the first couple of days, put them where they can SEE one another but can't GET TO one another. Put them in joining rooms with a baby gate in between, for example. This will give them the opportunity to get used to seeing one another without having to worry about one being a threat to the other.

At the end of the week, put them in the same room. By that time, they shouldn't have too much to fight about. Sure, they'll still wrestle and play fight, and occasionally they might have a "real" spat, but for the most part, they should do well together.

I know you think they are "just little kittens" but be warned...kittens as young as 5 months can get pregnant! Your male is about the right age to be neutered (depending on the vet...some recommend waiting until 6 months). That in and of itself may mellow him toward the new female kitten.

Answer 5

first of all male kittens are very dominant they love to take charge and be the boss they also will fighe for their territory you male kitty considers you his you are going to have to slowly introduce them to each other and let them both know that neither one is a threat to eachother also if your female is very small then your male kitty will pick on her even more because of her size . also if you have not yet neutered your male then you mighe want to think about doing it because females can go int heat as early as 3-4mnths if yor female is giving off her scent then that could be another reason why your male is hissing and attacking her also you need to make sure that you have seperate dishes for your male and female other wise your male kitty will eat his food and her food as well and if she is as spunk as you say then your male kitty will smack her just to prove that he is the big boss around the house . everything will turn out ok just be patient and go slow but make sure that you spend time with the both of them so they know that they are not competing for your attention and try not to yell at the male kitty otherwise he will really feel threatend and dislike the female even more try holding them both one in your lap and one in a chair with you or you can alternate holding them this way on the floor to everything will work out just fine remember to have patience and remain calm because they are kittens and will pick up on the fear and anger in your voice from some one who has been there before hope this helps

Answer 6

I had the same problem. I adopted one cat and the next year got another. I put them together right away and they fought and hissed and what a night mare it was. What you need to do is separate them in 2 different rooms. Put their food and litter boxes in there too. Each day let the cats see each other. It takes a bit but they will start to get along. It took mine about 2 weeks. They still cat fight off and on but now its bearable! Also 2 cats from different litters are less apt to get along. If they were siblings they would get along good.
Try this and good luck Hope this helps. Have patience it does work!!

Answer 7

let them work it out, I got my second kitty after my girl kitty was 2, the new one was male, but it took a good month before they finally decided, well we have to live together, we might as well play nice. don't worry if they fight a little, and even a little damage may be done, but your Kitty's will soon realize that is is alot easier to be friends than enemies, also be sure to give equal attention, just because the female is smaller, doesn't mean she needs more love.

Answer 8

kittens need a while to get along and it takes a little longer cause thier the oppisite sex and kittens are pretty playful so there probably gonna act like that for a while so when the boy trys to hurt her simply tell him no same with the girl after a few days or weeks they should get along its just how cats are sometimes

Answer 9

Cats always take a bit to get used to one another. We got jasper after tubs was 6 months old. they were bitter enemies for about 2 days and then after that we caught them cuddling and cleaning each other on the couch. Jasper was only 6 weeks old so that might have helped but it takes time. Be patient!

Answer 10

It will take some time. Your first cat has established your home as "his" territory and doesnt want to share it with anyone. Give your new kitty a safe place to be away from the older male and make sure you give each cat seperate attention and attention together. This will teach them to get along as well as make each feel loved (cats get moody over love and attention) when you give them seperate attention.