Problem with younger cat harasssing older cat.?

Question

We have two older cats, around 12 years, and recently we got a kitten. That kitten is now 7 months old and constantly harasses the oldest cat. The oldest cat is submissive and tries to get away. The youngest even chases her out of the litter boxes, we have two boxes because of the third cat and she is chased out of both. It is to the point that our oldest cat is starting to go outside the boxes because of harassment. I have had cats my whole life, I have tried water bottles, and scolding. The youngest shows no intention of stopping and considers this a game. I have contacted my vet to get a shock training collar for cats, they make them just for cats. I want to know if anyone has had experience with this problem and what do they suggest.

Answer 1

You have several things to consider in this situation.

First, you may want to consider that a shock training collar may create more problems than it solves, by stressing the younger cat out and making him even more aggressive. Plus, what will happen when you aren't there to operate the collar? Will the younger cat harrass the older one even more? I strongly recommend AGAINST the use of squirt bottles or any other direct punishment for this problem - it will only increase the kitten's aggressive tendencies. A simple time out for a few minutes in the bathroom, away from everyone to allow him to calm down, followed by a bit of play therapy to redirect his behavior, has been much more effective in my experience.
See this article on how to break up a cat fight:
http://www.thecatsite.com/Behavior/202/Breaking-up-Cat-Fights.html
and this article on punishment and cat behavior: http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=squirtbottlespunishmentandcatbehavior1

Often, when a cat suddenly starts harrassing an older one, it may be because there is an undiagnosed health problem in the older cat - the other cats pick up on it and start picking on the ill cat. Cats are really good at hiding when they're ill from humans (this is a survival trait in the wild), but not so much from other cats. Take the older cat to the vet for a thorough senior cat checkup.

If it's at all possible, try to separate the cats, at least for now - keep the two older ones who get along together, and separate the kitten from them. To minimize their stress, give your older cats priority access to favored spots in the house - your bedroom, the living room, etc, and confine the kitten instead, since he is the newcomer. For playtime, put the seniors in your bedroom and take the kitten out for a while.

You may want to seriously consider rehoming the kitten, if you know anyone who wants it. Your primary obligation is to your adult cats, and it is easier to rehome a cat while it is still a kitten. Emotional stress can be dangerous to senior cats and contribute to or exacerbate health problems.

If you aren't willing to consider rehoming the kitten, keep it separate for now, and then work on doing a gradual reintroduction. This article explains how to help cats get along:http://www.petplace.com/cats/how-to-get-your-cats-to-be-best-friends/page1.aspx
And this one explains the introduction process:
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintroductions

Make sure the kitten has plenty of toys to keep it occupied. This article has good ideas:
http://www.catclinicofroswell.com/faq/detail.aspx?faqid=3 and spend some time every day with it in play therapy - this article explains the importance of play therapy: http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=playtherapyforcats
Of course, make sure your older cats are getting plenty of attention and play therapy too.

Try using a Feliway comfort zone plug-in (from the vet, pet stores, or the Internet) to calm the cats, and/or using Rescue Remedy http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1448&articleid=1360 for them (from the health-food store). Equip your home with multiple cat trees with different levels for the cats to climb - this will help with any crowding or status issues. Make sure there are multiple litterboxes in different areas of the house, to make sure the kitten isn't blocking the older cat's access to the litterbox. Do the same with food & water dishes - it's VITAL for older cats to have access to lots of fresh water. When all the resources are in place, gradually reintroduce the kitten, and reward positive interactions with treats & pets. Any time you see the kitten picking on the older cat, immediately put it in 'time out' in the bathroom for several minutes - don't yell 'no' or anything at the kitten, just pick it right up and put it away for a few minutes to allow it to calm down and redirect. After you let it back out, play with it for a few minutes to redirect its attention from picking on the older cat.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Since the youngster is being stubborn, that collar might be the best thing. I used to have trouble with the young male harassing my oldest cat- who was about 12 years old at the time. But he only thought it was a game. However, he learned that I was the Paw of Authority, and that I would swat if he did a no-no-such as chase one of the other cats away from the box. You may have to go so far as to somehow separate the 12 year old from the others just so she can have some peace.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Well now, we have a big bully, do we? My first question to you is: Is this 7 mo. old kitten neutered/spayed? If not, get it done like--day before yesterday! THIS alone should stop some of this agressive behavior. However, this is a territory issue, and this kitten somehow KNOWS that these other cats are much older than him/her, therefore--you're right in one respect--it IS a game to this kitten because no matter what it does to the others, he can get away much faster than they can. In other words, these 2 older cats are pretty much "fair game". I feel sorry for the 2 older kitties. But, hang in there--if this is a recent behavior, these 2 older gals are going to "gang-up" on this bully one of these days and just smack (perhaps bite) the hell out of him/her and this should establish some territory rules. As far as the shock collar---it's only going to work when you are right there to observe this behavior because you have to activate it. The litter box issue: get this kitten one of his/her own and place it far away from the others. Whenever you see the older cats getting interested in this one, pick them up and take them to theirs. When you see the kitten trying to run the other 2 away from their litter boxes---that's when YOU might want to use the "swat" or a water bottle with a stream sprayer, and firmly say "NO!" Good luck with this situation---but, if this kitten is not spayed/neutered---get 'er done. Some of this business will stop.

Answer 4

You hit the nail on the head when you said he considers it a game. He just wants to play and the fact that the older cat is being submissive means that the younger cat knows he can bully him and get away with it. What does the other older cat do while this is going on? The older cat will soon get pissed of and lamp him one - he'll learn the hard way. It's just the younger one asserting his position as top cat. Try a water sprayer (like for plants) and when junior is being naughty give him a quick squirt. He will soon associate bad behaviour with punishment and stop. Is it possible for the younger one to be toileted outside? Three cats indoors doesn't give them a lot of territory.

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Answer 5

Can you separate the cats, have a quiet safe place for the older cat to go to escape the younger one? Hopefully the kitten who grow out of it once it gets older. But keep the training up.

Answer 6

the younger cat wants to take the place of the older one. It's a animal thing, I suggest that you try to show the younger cat that you still love the older cat, but you like the younger one too.

Answer 7

How long has this been going on for? Because if you have no intentions of getting rid of the younger one- which you shouldnt. then the cats will just have to learn that things are not going to change, i think you are doing the right things to prevent this from happening.

Answer 8

i am sorry about your problem with your kitten. try time-out and give her a litter box of her own when she is in there. give the others extra attention. she is trying to displace there position in the house. other than this all i can say is GOOD LUCK.

Answer 9

oh poo u could desire to fully get a female cat! i mean needless to say the cat is attractive if u don get one rapid it is going to initiate struggling with with the greater youthful cat to be sure that the little cat to enable it hump it