How do i introduce an 8 week old kitten to a 12 week old kitten without the older one attacking the younger?

Question

We have a 12 week old kitten, and have had her about 5 weeks. A friend told us to get her a playmate, as she may get bored. So we got another female kitten. Their age difference is about 4 or 5 weeks. We have had the new kitten about 2 weeks and have tried introducing them to each other several times. The older one has scratched the youngers eye, which needed vet treatment, and also has bitten her badly on the bum which caused her to limp. They are both aware of each others smell now, but we have to keep them in seperate rooms, as we are scared that the young kitten will get seriously hurt. Every time we try introductions the older cat protects her territory and attacks. What can we do other than leave it til the younger one is big enough to stand up for herself?

Note: this is not introducing a kitten to a placid old cat. They are only weeks apart but the older one is over twice the size and very active.

Answer 1

The older kitten may already have established herself as the "dominant female" and that's why she's being so aggressive. I would continue to keep them apart and introduce them to each other in limited, supervised settings. Be sure to give the older kitten lots of attention when you do this so she won't see the younger as a threat.

Answer 2

Wow, you do have a problem! Really, the best thing is to give them their space as you are doing as the younger kitten does face a chance of serious injury, even death. The older kitten seems very dominant and territorial, but this is pretty normal in a three month old kitten and a two month old kitten is pretty delicate in comparison. They tend to play most aggressively between three and four months, causing a lot of small external injuries amongst themselves. A child gate or even better, a small dog wire crate ]put the older kitten in it with a blanket and some toys for a while so the younger one can explore and have some fun with you without fear of Simba having her for lunch] can act as a safety net for the little one, so they can interact through it a bit, but it's best to limit them to supervised play for a bit. Be firm with the older kitten and get it off the younger with a loud NO!! when it starts to get mean. A squirt bottle can really help, too. Just squirt the offender, then leap in and rescure the victim. Once the younger kitten has another month on it, they will be better matched.

Answer 3

I accept as true with the others, and that they have got given good suggestion. you have additionally accomplished the sumptuous element in confining the toddler. you additionally can take her into yet another room, or out of the bathing room at one or 2 periods of approximately 5 minutes in line with day, with the different cat around, yet toddler on your lap so no person gets into tangles. attempt giving your older cat some treats or something she would sense is specific, a pair of cases, right here and there. for sure, in case you're making it a actual habit, then you definately would be sure to this new, "custom". Play together with her, too. attempt feeding the older cat someplace close to the door (in line with probability a pair ft away), so she gets used to the sounds and scents of the kitten, mutually as distracted with the help of her nutrition. Get some new toys. in line with probability spend slightly much less time with the toddler, yet greater increments. positioned little strings or small issues decrease than the sting of the doo,r the place they are going to the two see them so as that they'd initiate taking part in decrease than the door. purely use your instincts and issues will progression. she will probable savour her new playmate, in time.

Answer 4

You have to let them do their fighting that is what they do. Sometimes one gets hurt but as the younger one gets bigger the older one will accept it. Overprotecting one from another will never get the older cat used to the other one. But if you have to take the younger one to the vet again you might consider that your older cat is a one cat in the family type and give the other one to a good home.