Hi everyone, I'm starting this new thread because I haven't been able to find any answers to my questions and the other topics didn't really fit my situation.
A year ago, I adopted my first cat, a female. She's a bit of a loner but she's always been very sweet and cuddly (when she's in the mood, haha!). I've obviously had her spayed!
A month ago, I adopted a new little female kitten at just six weeks old (I know, that's far too early, but the mother had abandoned them and the person giving her away just wanted rid of her).
Anyway, I followed all the advice I read to the letter!!!! I kept them separate from the start, leaving the kitten in my bedroom with everything she needed and giving the older cat the run of the house. I swapped their scents by stroking one after the other to transfer the smells, and then I swapped their towels to mix the scents further. I introduced the kitten to my first cat using a carrier; my adult cat hissed and growled when she saw the kitten, but that's normal enough at the beginning. After a week, I decided to let them be together (except at night, when I put the kitten back in my room just to be safe). It didn't go too badly; after two days, my adult cat stopped growling and they were even playing together!
But for the last two weeks, it's been an absolute nightmare and I don't know what to do. My cat chases the kitten constantly (who hasn't done anything to her), catches her, pins her to the floor, and bites her hard on the throat!! The kitten screams and it's terrifying. I’m scared she’s going to kill her, so I shout for her to let go, but she just does it again and it’s getting worse and worse!! I don’t have a life anymore because I can’t leave them alone together, and the kitten cries her eyes out if I shut her in the room for even five minutes!! I’m stuck. Any advice would be much appreciated in this situation 🤧
P.S. I tried a pheromone spray that cost me nearly £25 and, of course, it didn't work.
P.P.S. Sorry for any typos... I'm just not in the right headspace to check them.
Translated from French
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Try not to play with the kitten too much. Go and spend some time with your other cat instead—you shouldn't show more interest in the kitten than your older cat, otherwise they might get jealous.
Thanks Angeline, hearing about your experience has really put my mind at rest.
When I get home from work tonight, I’ll check to see if they’re actually fighting or just playing. I think it’s just play, though, as the kitten doesn't seem traumatised at all.
However, it really upsets me that my cat isn’t sleeping next to me anymore. Since he has a serious illness, I want to make the most of every single moment with him. I just hope that playing like this with the kitten isn't doing him any more harm.
Two months ago, I got a cat called Kiara; she settled in really well with us and in our flat, then I decided to get another kitten so she wouldn’t get bored.
A month later, we brought Maïa home.
At first, just like with yours, Kiara hissed and growled at her. Kiara used to sleep with us while Maïa slept in the cat tree.
Then gradually, just like you’ve described, they started "fighting". It worried me too, but every time I checked, I realised there weren’t any bite marks on Maïa.
Actually, they’re just playing. They’re play-fighting, and even though it sounds like they’re hurting each other (because of the screeching), that’s not the case at all.
As for your cat becoming a bit distant from you, the same thing happened to me.
A newcomer has arrived on his territory, so he’s feeling a bit stressed and prefers to keep to himself.
Just let him have his space; he’ll come back to you once he’s settled in a bit more :-)
That’s just my experience anyway, I hope it helps! :-)
Hi everyone,
I’m in the same boat. I have a cat called Honey who is 2 years old, and a week ago I adopted a 2-month-old kitten called Neige. They are both boys; Honey is neutered and has a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
I never actually separated them; I put them together from the very first day. On day one, Honey did nothing but growl and hiss, all while following Neige everywhere around the house. I didn’t separate them that first night either. Honey came to sleep next to me like he does every night, except this time he was really snuggled right up against me, and Neige slept in his own corner without any issues.
By the second day, there was no more growling or anything. Honey spent the day following Neige all over the place. Same thing the next night: Honey slept by my side and Neige stayed on his side. But since the third day, Honey has been pinning the kitten to the floor and biting him. Neige lets out a cry, so I find it really hard not to step in.
It’s been going on for nearly a week now and I’m scared Honey might kill Neige, even if I sometimes tell myself it’s not as bad as it looks because Neige doesn’t seem traumatised at all and even goes back for more sometimes.
One little detail about their behaviour: Honey has become quite distant with me and doesn't sleep with me anymore. He prefers sleeping in the dog's bed now, even though he used to sleep with me every single night. Meanwhile, Neige is constantly wanting cuddles and only wants to sleep on me. When I go out, I never separate them.
What should I do?
Thanks...
How are things today? How are the two cats getting on together? I adopted a kitten a year ago and my 12-year-old girl had a hard time accepting him at first, but within a few months it was all sorted. Of course, they don't cuddle yet, but she does give him a lick every now and then. It's not like it was with her old companion who was ever so gentle with her! Those two used to have massive grooming sessions. In their life together they used to wrestle a lot, and the younger cat would howl as if she were in pain, but it was only ever play! The fur would fly as well.
I’ve had a look at the video and it’s clear the kitten isn't really trying to get away. Coldine, if your situation is like the one in the video, I reckon if he were actually in pain, he'd be struggling a lot more. So, I don't think you need to worry; your cat is just trying to assert himself and show the newcomer who’s boss.
You’ve just got to give it time. If the kitten does get hurt, he’ll let out a cry and you’ll definitely recognise the sound, don’t worry. At that point, just pick the kitten up and put him in a separate room. Don't tell the older one off, though, as it might just make matters worse.
Hi everyone,
I’m going through the exact same thing right now...
I have a cat who’s nearly 6 months old (not neutered yet, but will be soon); he’s really playful and very cuddly.
Two days ago, I took in a six-week-old kitten (another male) who was pretty much being abandoned by his family...
I’ve done my best with the introductions (keeping them separate, giving them their own space, scheduled meetings to build a routine, scent swapping, etc.), but nothing seems to work. As soon as I open the door, the older one chases the kitten and bites him on the back of the neck.
There’s no meowing or hissing when they do this, and the kitten just stays still without flinching...
It’s scaring me because it feels like the older one is going to crush his neck. I don’t know if I should step in or just let them get on with it, and I'm especially worried about whether it’s going to go on like this for long...
I’m planning to get the older one neutered very soon – will that change his behaviour towards the kitten?
Do you think they’ll ever get along?
Thanks.
