do you think if you have a cat you have had for a while and bring home a new kitten the older cat feels jealous of the new kitten and the attention it gets from people, like an older sibling feels jealous of a new brother or sister?
2007-09-02 20:38:51 · 16 answers · asked by pumpkin2 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
not silly have seen it cats are smart and know whats going on They don't like others cats on their turf which includes the people who live it on
2007-09-02 20:45:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not a silly question. It's how you handle the situation. If you think they're going to be buddy's right of the bat, that most likely isn't going to happen.
It's more than jealousy, it's territorial.
If you start showing the new kitten more attention than your first cat, for one thing IT'S NOT RIGHT!
You can't compare cats with children. Two entirely different things.
Slow introductions. You'll probably hear a lot of hissing and growling. Don't force the issue. Be sure they have own litter box, own feeding and water dishes and not necessarily close together.
If kitten gets more attention then your first cat, you'll be in for more problems trying to get them just to tolerate each other.
May be a couple of books from the library would better help you understand what to do when introducting a new kitten to the household that already has had a cat for awhile.
Takes a lot of time and patience. If you don't have the time, don't spend the dime.
Good Luck
2007-09-02 21:21:35 · answer #2 · answered by Eagles Fly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Boo, You bet the older cat will be very jealous. Your cat thinks he or she is being replaced with a new kitty that's why you need to make sure you still give older cat just as much attention as the kitten. That is the only way you will be able to keep peace in the house. If you don't do this the older cat will probably hurt the new kitty. I have seen a cat or dog that a family has had for years and they bring in a kitten or puppy and the old pet ends up running away because he or she things you don't love them anymore. It was a very sad case that I am telling you about. There pet dog they had for years ran away and he got hit by a car and he didn't make it. The family was hurt and crying and wish they would have notice what was going on. They will never forgive their selves. Boo
you sure don't want to live with something like that on your mind 24-7. It was a terrible thing that happen.
A Friend.
poppy1
2007-09-02 20:53:02 · answer #3 · answered by poppy1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not a silly a question at all! Of course, an older 'sibling' will feel jealous, for a while!
You can minimize the troubles by making sure that the new kitten has his own food dish, and supply of toys. That way, it won't seem like you're 'replacing' the older cat.
Also, as with children, when friends and neighbors come to 'ooh' and 'aah' over the kitten, make sure the older cat is not ignored. Give him some love and petting yourself!
It may be wise to keep them apart, when thy can't be supervised, for a few days, but it's surprising how quickly most cats get used to each other.
2007-09-02 20:55:32 · answer #4 · answered by Levone 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why not?
my dog is obviously jealous of my kitten!
it used to be that she got alone time with me all the time
now when I walk my dog, the cat is leash trained so he comes along! when I'm watching tv in the living room the dog can no longer sprawl out over my entire lap because the cat gets one knee and the dog gets the other (to be fair to both)...
my dog expresses this jealously by whimpering every time I pick up the kitten or every time that the kitten gets fed before her or every time the kitten gets a little extra play time...
it is a lot like sibling rivalry!
my dog actually has small animal aggression when I'm not there to draw boundary lines, so I have to keep them in separate bedrooms of the apartment while I'm at work (it's weird, when I'm at home she never tries to attack the cat, even if I'm asleep, but the moment I try to leave the apartment I got my landlord calling me to say that I have to get home and separate them!)
it might be more of a territory issue for them, like I'm my dog's property so she doesn't want to share me with the kitten
the same as the apartment is my dog's territory so she doesn't want the kitten in it
but I think sibling rivalry is a cuter way of putting it
2007-09-02 21:00:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on the cat.
usually after an initial hissing fit the cats will settle into their own hierarchy and will be okay with each other. Cats can get moody though, and definately will let you know if they feel you have slighted them in some way.
My cats have not shown jealousy as new pets have been introduced, but they did make it clear they were thoroughly put out with the addition of slobbering puppy dogs : ) I wouldn't put it past a cat to get jealous, they are incredibly intelligent, perceptive, and sensitive creatures.
2007-09-02 20:47:36 · answer #6 · answered by sage 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cats definitely feel jealous when I bring home kittens but they are jealous of everything. I guess it just depends on the cat.
2007-09-02 20:46:05 · answer #7 · answered by Cassie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course the cat you've had the longest gets jealous...why do you think that's silly? It's quite common. Animals have personalities too, and that includes the tendency to feel envious or slighted when a newcomer gets more attention or takes away from the attention he's used to getting.
2007-09-02 21:55:23 · answer #8 · answered by Evil Wordmonger, LTD LOL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES, but if you introduce them slowly and only let the knew cat have access to one room of your place; then add more areas of the house every other day or so. You will also need to make sure that you greet the older cat first and then the new one. Just until the first cat is okay with the other. You will know if he or she is mad ; it might poop on your bed or pee in your shoes. He will do something he knows you wouldn't want him to.
Not to be confused with a bladder infection or urinary tract infection. Cats will usually pee on the floor, they do this to let you know they don't feel good; and want to see a vet.
hope it works out.
2007-09-02 20:55:52 · answer #9 · answered by sam777 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh thats a definite YES but they will eventually bond and while they may still quibble over your attention, there is the possibility that the older will care for the younger like one of its own kittens....
2007-09-02 20:46:30 · answer #10 · answered by lacretia_guard 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup. When I was a child we had had a female cat for a year. Then we brought home a male kitten, and our female pouted behind our clawfoot tub for two weeks. We had to hand-feed her and everything; it was ridiculous. The snit finally did subside, but she was never the same after that.
She never did warm up to the second cat, even after fourteen years!
2007-09-02 20:46:32 · answer #11 · answered by Kris B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋