What can I do about my cat being so mean to my new kitten?

Question

My fiance and I got a new kitten a month ago. It is a boy and he is just now 11 weeks old. He is really small for his age, about 1 pound right now. We also have a 4 year old girl cat. She is not the nicest cat in the entire world by far!! She hates people and only wants to be loved when convenient for her (which is usually in the middle of the night).
Well, I have been reading on here about her establishing dominance and all that. I completely understand that. However, it is getting a little bit ridiculous.
We keep him in a bedroom while we sleep and while we are at work because we don't trust her yet. When we are home he is free to roam around but we have to keep him right beside us because she torments him! She acts obsessed when he is in the room. She stalks him and pounces and bats at him. (She is declawed thank God!) The worst thing is she will get him in a corner and just sit there and stare at him. He won't budge.
Anyone ever encountered this problem?

Answer 1

I know that it seems very hard right now, but believe me, she'll come around. Right now she feels that she is being replaced your lives. The baby sleeps with you in your room and is basically catered to (because he is a baby). She resents this because she's your girl. In time, after she's used to the fact that the "intruder" is not going anywhere and she's still your girl, she will relax and calm down. When he grows up a bit more and is as big as she is, they will be able to play together (or at the very least sleep within relative closeness to each other). I had the same thing happen to me. My girl was 10 years old and then my boy came to live with us (he was 9 months old). She was not happy with the situation, and while she still doesn't let him sleep right against her, she does always want him to be in the same room as her and will allow him to play pounce at her. At one point, he became tangled in the cords from the blinds in the other room and screamed out and she was the first one in the room to see what was wrong with him and waited until I got him untangled, hugged him, made sure that he wasn't hurt, and then put him down, that after she was satisfied that he was okay, then, and only then, did she feel better knowing he was okay.

CONGRATULATIONS on your new baby boy.

Have a lovely rest of the day.

Answer 2

Some cats are just meant to be "onlys". Your older one is not used to having to share you with anybody else. It's just like bringing home a new baby with an older sibling. Try giving her loads of affection, new toys (don't spend a lot just be creative, cats enjoy the cheapest ones it seems). Give her, her own space. Someplace that the new kitten isn't allowed. Kittens have a ton of energy and sometimes "bother" an older cat. I wouldn't leave them alone together just yet. Try some catnip, your older cat will enjoy it but the kitten (from experience) isn't old enough yet for it to have the same effect. Make sure your new kitty is getting enough to eat especially if he is small for his age. Your older cat could be scaring him away from the food. Try feeding them separately and letting them have their own bowls. As he grows he'll learn to protect himself. Hopefully she'll learn not to mess with him. You don't say if she's been spayed? I'm thinking she probably is if she's been declawed. Have your new little boy neutered before he starts to mark his territory. Did you know females will "spray" too? It's not as noticeable because their urine isn't as strong but something to watch for if she's being territorial! Be patient, remember she's been "an only" for I assume 4 years. It's a big change. From experience she'll learn to put up with him but may never "love" him. Don't be surprised though if you don't come home one day and they're sleeping in the sun together!
Good luck!

Answer 3

She's just telling him that it's HER territory. When she realizes that the kitten wont challenge her authority it'll be fine.

However once the kitten will grow up the problem might re-occur, because of the hormones acting up and the kitten might want to have his own territory.

Keeping them seperated is wise when you're not in or near the house. But do keep in mind that the cats need time to adjust to each other.

The one getting used to a new home, and the other is trying to get used to the 'intruder'.

I wouldnt worry if I were you, everything will be fine.

Answer 4

I would strongly suggest sucking up to her as much as possible. Even though she dishes out affection on her own terms, don't be fooled by that "aloofness." The fact that you're keeping the kitten in a bedroom with you and "shutting her out" is the last straw, in her kitty mind. When she starts to torment him, try to distract her with affection, even if it's only talking baby talk to her and she's not into a lot of petting or close contact. She must be reassured that she's still the "baby" and that you have not lessened your affection for her. Otherwise that poor little cat's gonna get tortured forever. Who knows, if he lives through this, and gets bigger he might turn the tables on her when he feels big and strong enough to assert himself.

Answer 5

I believe it is normal cat behavior. We have a cat and when we first got our little dog she didn't like it one bit. It took our cat atleast a couple of months if not longer to get use to the fact that our new dog was here to stay. Now they eat, sleep and play like best friends. I'm sure your older cat will come around and be nice to the kitty sooner or later. Just try to make sure you keep giving them both attention & love. Good Luck!

Answer 6

It is fairly normal cat behavior. The senior cat in my house ignores or growls at one of the junior cats, who would love to be friends and play. Not much to be done except keep your kitten from getting beat up until he is old enough to look after himself.

Answer 7

my cat does that to my roomies cat. but when i first moved in her cat was about 4-5 months old and run my cat (2-3 yrs) under the bed and have her scared to come out (she would only come out with door closed and would get scared when other cat would reach paw under door) now my cat tries to play with the other one but since the other one doesnt have upper hand she is now running. neither one have been declawed. we let them fight it out and hope they dont get bloody. its been about 5 months and neither one have bloodied the other one. if u lil tike isnt declawed yet then u have no worries. if the older cat does something to him (like leaping on him) he will stick her with a claw and she will leave him alone. dont always break up the fights....let them settle a few for themselves and when tike grows up all will be well.

Answer 8

I am sooooo sorry, but I laughed at the picture in my mind of the staring contest. You can't make her like him and she could bite him really bad - since she does not have claws. I had a 'little' runt male that grew and grew!! Your little girl just might be in for a rude awakening in a few more months. Until then, just protect the little one -- keep them separated until he is big enough to protect himself.

Answer 9

Try referring to the new kitten as "her" kitten. Also, don't just put catfood down at mealtimes. Ask her where her kitten is, and once he shows up to the kitchen (or wherever you feed your cats) put the catfood down then. She will associate his presence with mealtime and getting a can of catfood, and this will cause her to think positively of him. I had to do the same thing with my cats and they love each other to pieces now.

Answer 10

Ur cat is saying to the kitten "this is my house and i'll prove it!" My cat has done that to the lost cats outside, and one time he got out and had a fight with one of the males! Scarred me to death!.......good luck girl.