about my kitten and older cat.

Question
QUESTION: i have had my male cat elvis now for just over a year. we introduced a female kitten 4 weeks ago. i am worried that the older cat is being too rough when we are introducin them. he is chasing her then holding her down with his teeth. i full him off as i hear the kitten cry. what do i do? i only have them together for about ten - fifteen min periods maybe twice or three times a day. other than that the kitten is in cage in same room or on the other side of glass door. is it early days? should i let them battle it out? the kitten is tiny compared to my older cat.

ANSWER: Heather,

When you separate the cats does the kitten come back for more? Or does she run and hide?

Cats don't realize sometimes how big they are and tend to get too rough with kittens. On the otherhand, what is 'too rough' to us is not to cats. And some cats are also very vocal. They are not being hurt but they scream bloody murder. You have to make the judgement.

Keep an eye on their interaction and gently scold your bigger cat when he gets too rough, but don't let him think he is being scolded for just playing. Try using a pet laser light. They help with the interactions and keeps their minds off each other. Also feed them together.

I am including a link to a 13 article series on the 2nd cat in the household. You may find it helpful. Copy and paste, or type the whole link into your address bar:

http://www.helium.com/tm/657471/second-trickiest-known-maneuver

I hope this helps. It's never easy and it takes alot of time and patience but don't worry, things will smooth out soon.

Tabbi





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: the kitten will run and hind under table but then will run out expecting the other cat to chase her again. i don't know how far it would go as i always lift the kitten and take her away or take the older cat away. should i see how far it goes. the kitten jumps all over the older cat when she sees him in morning. she loves him but the older cat can't be bothered with her. he hasn't worked out that she is a play mate and not a threat. i just don't want the kitten to get hurt but should i just leave them to work it out for themselves. will she learn to retaliate?

Answer
Heather,

It sounds like they are progressing well. It just takes time. Alot of male cats do not like kittens. Sometimes they won't play with them until they "grow up" and are not kitten size anymore. But that is not fair to the kitten. She needs a playmate. Another kitten would be good, but if  that is not an option, then let them go and interact how they want to and see what happens. Let them work it out, just stay on the sidelines in case of a SERIOUS problem. If the kitten is coming back for more then it is going OK.

As the kitten gets older and bigger things will smooth out.

Tabbi