CAT AGGRESSIVE TO NEW KITTEN

Question
DEAR JESSICA,TODAY WE ADDED TO OUR FAMILY A 12 WEEK OLD CHOCOLATE POINT FEMALE HOPING TO ENRICH THE LIFE OF OUR 9MONTH OLD MALE SIAMESE.UNFORTUNATLEY OUR OLDER CAT IS BEING VERY AGRESSIVE TOWARDS THE NEW KITTEN EVEN BITING HER HARD IN BETWEEN HER SHOULDER BLADES EVERY TIME THEY COME INTO CONTACT.PLEASE CAN YOU ADVISE.THANKYOU SO  MUCH. KATHY FORDE. WEST MIDS UK

Answer
Hi Kathy.  This is certainly normal.  I always recommend to keep newcomers separated from household cats for a couple of days, allowing them to see each other only through a travel crate.  Some cats take to each other instantly, some take some work.  I brought home two Siamese kittens this weekend myself, and they were introduced to my cats immediately with no problems whatsoever.  My one-year-old Siamese is thrilled with his new buddies.  However, they are all used to cats coming and going, as I foster cats.

I think that what your seeing with the male biting the female between the shoulders is a domination tactic.  A cat (usually a male) will climb on top of another who he feels is threatening his position in the household and bite the scruff of the neck on the other cat, and just hold it there.  And they do it hard sometimes.  As long as the cat who is being mounted isn't being hurt, it's best to allow this to go on.  They will work out who will be dominant on their own.

However, I do recommend that you separate them for now if there is definitely aggression going on and not just mounting.  Now that they are aware of each other, keep the kitten in one room with her own litter, food, toys, etc.  They'll sniff at each other under the door and become familiar that way.  Then try introducing them in a couple days and see what happens.  If there's still aggression, wait another couple days and try again.