i adopted a cat from a shelter 3 years ago and yesterday i decided it was time for a kitten but my older cat doesnt seem to like the kitten at all!! my older cat did hiss and growl before we got the cat but now it is out of control!! i am giving tmy older cat more attention but idk what to do! i've been keeping the kitten in my room but the older cat keeps scratching at the door wanting to get in!! what should i do?
2007-08-31 17:45:28 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
for a while seperate them and then let them sniff eachother's stuff. And then have one cat outside the door the other cat is in and open it a crack and if they back to stage one if they dont open it more and more. This will take a while. Good luck
2007-08-31 17:51:42 · answer #1 · answered by KylieR 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give them time. At least 3 weeks. Keep the two separated until you know the older cat wont attack the kitten. And once they are together watch them the first few times. Your cat will get used to the kitten, he just needs time. Having a new baby sister is a big adjustment for your cat.
Having the kitten in your room is a good idea, because the older cat can smell the kitten and get used to her sent from the other side of the door.
2007-09-01 00:53:11 · answer #2 · answered by Mallory 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give them time. After all, it's only been a day. Your older cat came from a shelter, so it's not like he doesn't know about other cats. But give him special attention. Try and feed them from different bowls, and don't give the kitten your old cat;s unused toys. It sometimes makes them seem to feel as if they're being replaced-an idea which you definitely don't want him to get.
ALL cats hiss and growl at newcomers at first-it's to be expcted. But keep them separate for a while. When you feel they can be trusted together, don't show the kitten 'the ropes' all at once. sometimes, the older cat will show the new one things that a cat needs to know-like where the litter box is, what sounds announce mealtime...even wys to wrap YOU around their little paws! Ny sister had a friend whose okder cat lost interest in most people, when she adopted a 'friend' for it-and the first cat was a Siamese female-they're notorious for their attachment to their owners!
So, just be patient, give them both lots of love, reassure the older cat that he's not being replaced-and hey should soon e getting along! I wishyou the best!
2007-09-01 01:26:44 · answer #3 · answered by Levone 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's pretty typical cat behavior. They have to learn to adjust to the new arrival so they hiss and growl to let the kitten know who's boss. If you listen closely, you will notice the growling and hissing is softer than if the cat is hissing out of fear or anger. Give it about a week or two and the older cat should be pretty much used to having the kitten around. Just make sure they aren't alone together during this adjustment period because sometimes cats, especially unneutered males, will attack kittens.
2007-09-01 02:40:26 · answer #4 · answered by RoVale 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, your older cat is being territorial. that's NATURAL. i just recently introduced a kitten to my household, after losing a much loved cat. one of my other cats hissed for a day, then was fine, the other one took a week.
cats ARE SOCIAL creatures, but they are also highly territorial, it takes time to introduce them. is your older cat used to sleeping in your room with you? if so that's not hte best place for the kitten. find a more neutral room for the kitten, and let you older cat have the run of the place, with the exception of the kittens "safe place". get something that has your cats scent all over it, for the "safe place", that way the kitten will get used to the smell of your older cat. Get something that smells like the new kitten, to leave in your older cats favorite places. Your older cat will probably hiss at those, but that's normal. What will happen, is your older cat will get used to that scent, and it won't be such a threat anymore. Introduce them slowly, they WILL become friends (usually). Let them hiss and sound off, just DO NOT let an attack happen. Your older cat is pissed off. he will get over it, you just have to supervise until the older cat realizes, "hey, this is a COOL playmate, i love him/her"
after a couple days seperation, bring the kitten out of the "safe room" and put the older cat in the safe room, for a brief time. He'll get more used to the "intruders" scent, and probably be more likely to accept the kitten. You still have to supervise for a while.
just remember, fights are NOT acceptable. with cats it can be hard to tell when it's play, and when it's a fight. simple way to tell.
fights are LOUD
play is quiet (except for the frantic racing back and forth, and the tumbling all over)
it takes time. it took my younger cat about a week to adjust to having an intruder (my kitten) in the house, but now they tumble and play and eat together without a second thought.
2007-09-01 01:28:24 · answer #5 · answered by raynestorm73 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had this exact problem when i recently bought a new kitten home. as long as the baby isnt too small, the best thing to do is just let them fight because thats what all cats do. my older cat doesn't hurt the kitten so i think they are just playing. they still fight but can be found sitting on the bed cleaning each other, so they are like sisters. :)
2007-09-01 00:53:26 · answer #6 · answered by ~eliza! 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The older cat was there first, don't shut it out . Hold them together . Have treats more for the older one to understand
that you still love it. Let him in your room if it sleeps on the bed
do what you did before. Get a cozy bed for kitten sometime you can place that on bed or floor Separate them sleeping. Kitty in her cradle and the older one by you. ZZZZZZZZZZ
2007-09-01 00:55:16 · answer #7 · answered by kittycat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your cat and kitten will probably fight until your kitten gets to know your cat then they Will probably get along better your kitten probably just wants some one to play with so it chooses to play fight with your older cat.
2007-09-01 02:18:08 · answer #8 · answered by kbecking 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
You shouldn't keep your kitten all stuck up ALONE in your room -- he might feel left out. Do you even go in your room much? He might feel like the other cat's getting more attention if you're keeping the other cat out more.
-Ashley (not Nicole)
2007-09-01 02:38:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got my kitten from a stray cat in the backyard... so she was tiny tiny when we got her...
We kept her in the cat carrier when we couldn't watch her.... it took a few months but my older cat eventually got used to her. They are good friends now.
Don't punish the older cat for hissing, treat them both nicely.
2007-09-01 00:56:00 · answer #10 · answered by super_deformed_girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋