New cat introduced to my 3 other

Question
Hi Norm! I hope you can maybe clear up a couple of "behavior" issues we have had with our new kitten "Taz". I originally adopted Taz when he was maybe two months old at the most. He was malnutriented, had every worm and parasite in the book, and had a respitory infection. Needless to say, we kept he seperated from the other cats for at least a month. All the while, Taz was a very playful kitten, even with the worms coming out of him! Now that he is better, I introduced him to my other 3 cats that I raised together from kittens which are now about 2.5 years old. I have seperate litter boxes for him verses the other cats as well as food and water bowls.  

The problem is that he terrizes the other cats. He chases them rentlessly and attacks their back half like a lion on a buffulo. Now it seems like he's going for the throat when he gets them on the ground now that he almost outweighs them. The other cats will not fight him back, except on a very rare occassion. They just run which means Taz chases them even more. (I think they are afraid they will hurt him) Whenever this occurs, we put Taz in "his" room for a timeout as "No!" and a slight spank to the bottom is uneffective. It's gotten so bad that the other cats don't want to come in (they are inside/ outside cats) and sometimes stay out all night. My female has recently started peeing on my kitchen counters (about 2 months ago). Although we've had Taz since December, I think as he's getting older and more agressive, and she really hates him.

All my cats are spayed and neutered. Taz is allowed outside (about an hour a day as I have to watch him so he doesn't run off- too young still). In the daytime, Taz gets full use of the house while the others are outside.

He is the sweetest cat at times butother times,  he bites my cats and myself. I know he is just trying to play but he does get playtime, just not all day! My husband is done with this one but before I find him a new home, do you have any suggestions? Thanks so much! "Taz's Mom"

Answer
Tasha,

You are an angel to have spent so much time rehabilitating Taz.   I understand the frustration that you are having trouble working him into the household.  It can take many weeks for a new kitten to work into a household under the best of circumstances.

Part of the proiblem is that Taz was acquired too young, through no fault of your own.  Like people, cats may take instant likes or dislikes to other cats.  It appears that your other 3 are not sure of Taz.  He does play aggressively and your other 3 are no longer used to that.  This kind of aggressive play is what kittens do.  Eventually, they do outgrow it.  Believe me, he is not hurting the original 3 cats.

When we introduce a new kitten to a household with established pets, we no longer separate them once they have been introduced.  Also, we give the established cats extra treats and attention so they do not get jealous of the new addition.  Time outs do not work with cats.

As for is aggressive behavior towards people, when he starts that, he needs to be put down and walked away from.  No roughhousing should be permitted when playing with humans.  If anyone in the household roughhouses with the kitten, that will set back the socialization.  All human contact with the kitten needs to be gentle stroking, soft talking.  Kittens do love this.  If the kitten begins a biting scratching behavior the gentle stroking, soft talking game stops immediately and you walk away from the kitten.  The kitten will get the idea that humans need to be played with more gently. The one exception to this might be when Taz is teething.

If none of this works, then you might try finding him a new home with no other cats.

Good luck and best regards... Norm.