My cat is 7 years old and he has become more aggressive since I brought in another cat. Just tonight he went to bite my leg and often doesn't want to be held and nips at me when I pet him. My new cat is so loving and let's me pet him all over and is so gentle he wouldn't hurt a fly. My 7-year-old seems like he's getting meaner by the day and is becoming more unpredictable by the minute. This is very frustrating since I don't want to play favorites, but my new cat is so much nicer and well-behaved. What do I do? I do want to add that I did not have this cat for seven years, but only for 12 weeks. My husband and I decided to rescue an older cat, since people tend to adopt kittens. We then wanted to supplement the older cat's life with a companion, hence we adopted the younger cat who is just 9 months old. Were we wrong in doing this and how do we fix it? Also, we did leave the newbie in a separate room for a few days to let them smell one another and then brought him out in stages.
2007-08-30 15:48:09 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
First are they fixed? If one is and one isn't, this can cause issues due to scent differences.
Second, the older cat could of had issues at its last house w/ kittens. So it feels like it is reliving some pain. The attacking could be a sign of, hey! how dare you bring this kitten in and ignore me. Some extra attention, treats for the older might be in store. The kitten won't grasp what is going on so don't feel guilty.
The anger to me clearly is a sign of an unhappy cat. He's mad that he was saved, got a home, got comfy and then you brought in a stranger to his new territory. Imagine how you would feel if your husband brought home a new wife. More or less same thing.
Plus when introducing new pets, it can take a few months before it all calms down. I had 2 cats about the same age but one died at 3 due to cancer. Few weeks later I got a new kitten and boy was that a mistake at first. But now, they are the best of buddies and even sleep on each other.
Kind of like step brothers and sisters moving in together. At first they fight it but sooner or later they will begin to play together.
2007-08-30 16:41:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kudos for introducing them slowly! I would say to give "Mr. Meanie" a little more time before making any big decisions. He has had a lot to deal with in just 12 weeks. Its hard for a 7 year old to get used to a brand new home and then a new "intruder". My cat is 7 as well and we just got a kitten 3 weeks ago. Freddie (our 7 year old) HATED the new kitty and would growl, hiss, and smack him whenever he came within 3 feet. Now, while I wouldn't say they are the best of friends, they tolerate each other very well. I even caught Freddie playing with the kitten the other day. Cats are creatures of habit, they don't deal with change all that well. Heap lots of attention on the older cat, show him that he isn't being replaced and this new kitten isn't a threat.
2007-08-30 15:56:10 · answer #2 · answered by Nicole L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes time, the cat isn't being mean he's just scared that there's another cat in the territory and isn't sure if he needs to be on the defensive all the time.
Talk to the older cat more. Try to keep him calm, and not overstimulated when you do touch him. He needs routine to feel better about all this. You can be companionable without touching the older cat, just make eye contact, talk quietly to him, call his name when he has food. And feed the other cat either in another room for a while or at the other end of the room where the older one is eating--if they have their backs to each other it makes things easier.
The older one needs a space that's just his too, it might help to make two 'caves' he can retreat to. Not side by side, but one in a different room and one in maybe the living room. Put a box on it's side so the open end faces a wall, stick a towel in it and angle it so that there's enough room for a cat to get inside at one end. If he has a retreat he can protect from the other cat, he'll feel calmer about it all.
But make sure he gets contact every day, even if it's just quietly talking to him. He doesn't want to feel displaced.
2007-08-31 15:11:25 · answer #3 · answered by hudsongray 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is wonderful to adopt an older cat but you have to proceed with caution when getting another. The age difference could be part of the problem but you don't mention the sex of the newer cat. Are both neutered? If it is another male he will be trying to exert his dominance because he was there first.
You also might try taking the older one to a separate location and give him your undivided attention.
They do make a spray that you spray around the house (has no smell for humans) called feliway that is supposed to calm cats. Agway Feed stores carry it or can order it for you.
Good luck and don't give up, sometimes all it takes is time and lots of love.
From someone that has 11 indoor only cats from ages of 17 down to 1 year. 6 females and 5 males
Barb
2007-08-30 16:07:30 · answer #4 · answered by barb w 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recommend hiring two trainers: Smith and Wesson
just kidding... you are going to have to socialize Mr 7.(your seven year old) with NC (new cat) so that he learns NC is not a threat,
You might try finding a treat that Mr 7 loves and gradually getting him secure in the fact that if he behaves in a certain manner (nice to you and at least tolerant NC )that he will be rewarded.
Introduce toys after Mr 7 has calmed down a bit....you can also use the treats to moderate their playing with the toys,the kitten is not trying to take over his terroitory and that it can "fun" to have another cat around, although in general they are not known for hanging out with other cats unless they were litter mates.
Consider this also: what do you know of Mr 7's pervious life? how was he treatted? were there other cats? dogs? Having had him just 12 weeks he is not adjusted to you and your husband and his new abode, he is probably a bit uncertain and will react out of fear if upset. Then along comes NC and kitten as well so now Mr 7 is definitely upset and probably scared so he goes into competitve agrression mode to try to sieze control over NC, you and your husband. Mr 7 is probably reacting to a perceived threat, invasion of space, and views your attention to the NC as an attmept by yhe kitten to assert control over you and him by default..not sure about that.
Use positive reenforcement to show him he belongs you care and that he belongs there-you may have to get a couple cat crates during the initial socialization phase- they eaxh stay in their crates the same amount of time and also remain out of the crates the same amount of time-leave the crate door open and that way if one of them wants t return to the safety that the crate provides he can.
Good luck, you have a difficult but not impossible job ahead of you
dugal45
2007-09-04 03:48:24 · answer #5 · answered by dugal45 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think all the advice you've received already is good. One thing more you could try is to rub an old towel over the new cat to pick up it's scent. Then rub the same towel over the older cat. Scent transference. It just might help
2007-09-06 07:16:09 · answer #6 · answered by Barbara M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about the behaviour at all, I had my boy for a year, and then decided to get him a friend, he used to be super affectionate, and when we got her, he was SO mad, he didn't want to be touched, he didn't want to be stroked, nothing. At the same time, the new kitty was just like yours, she is so friendly and such a little bundle of joy - we sometimes call her Dory (from finding Nemo) coz nothing gets her down. Firstly, talk to your old boy a lot, but don't force your affection on to him. If he was used to sleeping on your bed, I reccommend that you put your new kitty in another room at bedtime, so your old boy still gets alone time with mom and dad! My cats adjusted quite quickly to one another (roughly a month) but they still fought quite a bit, with it starting out as playing, but getting quite violent. We've had her for a year now - and he's only just realised that he can get affection from us, even if she's around. So he's back to his usual self, rubbing up against me, "talking" to me, and even jumping on my lap to nap, even if she's there! I know a year sounds like a long time, but your old kitty will get a lot better quite quickly, and will definitely be back to his old self, eventually! Just have patience and even if you have to lock your new kitty up for 20 minutes so you can spend time playing with the old boy, do it - just remember, he really does love you, and he's going to love your new boy too!
2007-08-31 03:09:48 · answer #7 · answered by Karring Kat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agression in cats can be caused by many things and it is not possible for me to go through them all here. I have written several pages about agressive cats and what can be done. If you would like to take a look i hope to be able to answer your questions and perhaps provide a solution. My page is here http://www.our-happy-cat.com/aggressive-cat-behavior.html
2007-09-06 08:40:37 · answer #8 · answered by Tracy T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can Not tame a cat. You can only hope he gets use to the other cat. Cats are like no other animal on the earth.
2007-09-07 14:43:16 · answer #9 · answered by Jacob A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I ALSO HAVE TWO CATS, SAME AGE, ONE IS A SWEETIE WHILE THE OTHER IS PSYCHO-KITTY. SINCE i BOUNCED PSYCHO OFF THE WALL WHEN HE BIT ME HE IS NICE TO ME BUT NO ONE ELSE. I HAVE TO PUT HIM UP WHEN WE HAVE COMPANY. I THINK THEY JUST HAVE DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES.
2007-09-05 09:41:23 · answer #10 · answered by jjohnny65 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋