Existing cat hissing at new kitten....?

Question

We have just got a tiny new kitten and have followed all the guidelines about keeping her isolated, switching scents on blankets, etc.

My existing cat (1 year old neutered male) seemed curious and relaxed about the whole situation, and we thought things were going well.

Tonight we put the kitten in a cat carrier and allowed our male cat to see her for the first time. We thought he would curiously sniff, as he is an outgoing and friendly cat, but he hissed about 20 times whilst staring at her and slowly approaching.

Can someone please tell me if so much hissing is normal or a bad sign? Also, what should I do next? I'm worried about scaring my new kitten!

Answer 1

Cats are naturally territorial animals. They can make friends or at least only tolerate other cats within their home/territory.

It would be better to provide it with lots of love and cuddles but don't forget the older cat. Don't want to put his nose out of joint. By stroking the kitten and then the older cat you will help them both get eachothers smells on them. Another tip would be to stroke the kitten with a soft cloth and then use the cloth to rub parts of the furniture. Cats do this naturally to get their smell/scent markings around their house. By doing this, the other existing cat will get used to another cat being in its territory.

Also if you could provide a few hiding spaces so that the kitten and the existing cat can hide away. Normally while they're hiding they can think out what is going on. You need more than one space or you might start a quarrel by both cats trying to get into the same space.

When playing with the kitten with cat toys try to involve the older cat. It will appreciate being included and hopefully see the kitten as a fun friend and not an intruder in its territory.

Socialising stranger cats can be a lengthy process with lots of hissing, growling and spitting. Cats will only fight as a last resort as they are very aware of the damage they can do and have done with claws and teeth. The hissing, spitting and growling is also a way of telling eachother who is boss/pecking order. Although it can be distressing to us especially as we percieve the kitten to be so defensless, but be patient.

They will hopefully become friends, but at least they will learn to tolerate eachother.

I have never segregated my cats/kittens when introducing them, and they're one big family now.

Good luck!

It will take time

Answer 2

The older cat is playful because apparently he does not mind sharing his territory with the newcomer. It probably has found a new meaning in life now that the newcomer is here. Yes, usually the older cats will be more territorial but that is not always the case. My 1 and a half year old cat was so curious of our new kitten. He wanted to go near them and he never hissed at them, not even once. I think it depends on the character of the cat. Some are more hostile and need their own space, some do not mind sharing it with others. In fact, for some cars this can be fun! My two kittens' auntie has been ever so playful with them since we let them roam around our garden. They go up the trees together and she is rolling on the floor playing with them most of the day. In the beginning, the kittens were hissing at her even though she meant well and was not gonna harm them. But it is their own instinct, to hiss at stranger cats, it is the means for survival, however weak it might seem. Granted that older cats, especially tomcats, will not be intimidated by such a weak, "baby enemy" but it the only shot they've got. So, it is normal. Do not worry, the new kitten will get used to the older cat and will hopefully open up to it and accept being played with. It is so beautiful to see that they bond so well and that they are no longer alone! It will be a time for you to feel proud of them both!

Answer 3

Introducing Kitten To Older Cat

Answer 4

This may sound harsh, but you need to ignore the new kitten. Your older cat feels threatened by the new kitten, and hissing is quite normal behavior. Here is a priceless piece of advice - DON'T FEED THE KITTEN IN FRONT OF THE OLDER CAT. If you do this, then the older cat will almost certainly attack the kitten. After a few days, when the older cat can see the new kitten is not a threat, it will calm down and they will get along better.

Answer 5

The mother cat rejecting her kittens after a certain age is instinct. That's what momma cats do to force their kittens to become independent. That's why kittens are so quick to bond to humans--they adopt them as psuedo-parents and display kitten behaviors towards us throughout their life (kneading for attention, crying high)
Anyway, the initial question: this is normal and will almost certainly get better over time. Every time I've introduced cats to each other there has been a period of hissing and growling, one flattened herself under a four inch high shelf and produced the most incredible Marge Simpson groans to anyone (human or kitten) who tried to approach her. A few weeks later the kitten was sleeping on top of her and they were inseperable. Just when you are about to give up and consider finding a new home for one of them, you'll find them sleeping together. Have patience!

Answer 6

He's sort of telling the kitten that it's his territory but also, he probably wants to see what the kitten will do once it's out of the carrier. There will be hissing going on and the baby may be scared but eventually they'll get along. It can take up to a couple of weeks. They'll be wary of each other at first but should warm up just fine.

Answer 7

This is perfectly normal cat behavior when meeting a new cat. Just continue to show him the kitten in the carrier until he calms down, then while you are holding it. Don't worry, most cats learn to be friends or at least tolerate each other over time. It can take weeks to adjust when introducing new cats to each other, but you can't rush things.

Answer 8

My neighbor just got two new kittens and they said that their older cat hissed at the kittens. I don't know if this will help but when i got my new dog i was told to hug and carry and give a lot of attention to the new dog in front of the one you already have to show the other dog that this dog is a keeper and is going to be part of the family...just make sure to give plenty of attention to both animals after that so that they don't feel jealous of each other and fight! Hoped this helped...sorry don't know much about cats

Answer 9

This is absolutely normal. there's always a transition period for older cats. Especially a male who has been an only child.

This may last for up to a month, and he may lash out if the kitten gets too close. Just keep an eye on them, but eventually they will both establish their pecking order and calm down.

Answer 10

I'm not sure .... I have a two original cats, one of which gave birth to kittens 25 weeks ago .... and she was a great mum .... but now all she does is hiss at them and claw them every time they come near ... where as the male, who is not the father as he's been done and is 17 years old,is lovely with them .... so I don't know ... maybe it's a defense thing letting them know whos boss?