We have a new kitten who's been in the house for 3 weeks. He keeps chasing our older cat (male 12 years). Sometimes, when the older one gets annoyed, he sits on the kittens head and licks him all over. It looks really weird! I'm worried that he'll smother the kitten, but I don't want to interfere in any normal cat interactions. Maybe the older one is trying to make younger one smell like he does for some bizarre reason? Or clean him in a parental way (he's NOT his parent)..?
Any thoughts gratefully received!
2007-05-19 05:26:46 · 10 answers · asked by boo boo 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
You're lucky - your older cat is willing to coexist with the baby :) What the older fella is doing is establishing his primacy. He's not hurting the kitten, but is treating it like mama cat might. He's disciplining and grooming, in a way that mama cat would, kind of an animal style of redirecting. No, you're not going to do this, we're going to do this instead because I said so and I'm bigger than you. Don't worry in the least about this, as I said you're very fortunate and should have a lot of years ahead of enjoying watching their relationship develop :)
2007-05-19 05:33:28 · answer #1 · answered by pair-a-docs 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
HI! I have 5 cats (3 older, 2 kittens) .. my older cats are always holding the kittens down and cleaning them. The kittens also attack my older cats and clean them.
It's just what they do.
No worries about them getting smothered. I felt the same way when i bought my 2nd cat. I have never once had a problem with them smothering the others .. they might hurt each other a little bit from time to time .. but thats just cats being cats.
=)
2007-05-19 06:38:30 · answer #2 · answered by Mike Gravel 2008! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's pretty normal. The older cat is showing dominance over the kitten while also acting like a parent licking the kitten for a good cleaning. it doesn't matter if he is the parent or not they are still both cats and the older one should have some parental instincts
2007-05-19 05:37:43 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No problem. One of two things showing dominance or your male kitty is grooming the kitten. I have seen this with my older dog and the new addition. Vet says this is something dogs and cats do.
2007-05-19 06:46:47 · answer #4 · answered by KristinaMaria 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started with two male cats one older;der than the other. Slush was very meticulous and Bo was mischievous. Slush would lay down and let Bo suck on his fur simulating nursing him. Bo was frequently licked down by his big buddy Slush.They were a couple of loving cats. Only problem was poor Slush would get colossal hair balls.slush also potty trained his new baby sister little red too.
2007-05-19 05:54:58 · answer #5 · answered by wildirishrose19522000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
normal behaviour. the older cat is letting the younger know in a nice that he's the boss, be thankful he's accepted the younger one.
2007-05-19 14:47:19 · answer #6 · answered by i love my garden 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No problem. Male dominance. He won't hurt the kitten.
2007-05-19 05:35:43 · answer #7 · answered by mario d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quite normal. He is being the father of the kitty.
2007-05-19 05:48:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
normal it is letting the kitten know he is boss
2007-05-19 05:31:12 · answer #9 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think its normal. because he is trying to clean the kittan
2007-05-19 05:35:02 · answer #10 · answered by t 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋