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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/URGENT!! Help me please
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Question
Hi,
I have a female persian kitten (4 months old), who I had for 2 months now; and today I got a new persian male who is 9 weeks old. I isolated the little boy for a few hours until he became more comfortable and started playing with me.. But when I introduced my female persian, she first started sniffing him, his food, and also his poop in the litter box. Then, she started pouncing on him, biting him, and making wierd sounds I never heard before. The little boy hisses back at her and runs after her as if looking for trouble.
What can I do? I'm worried that Hailey might injure him because she is bigger in size than him!!
I took the boy back to his isolation room ( which is actually a very tiny dressing room.) I don't want to leave him there for a long time; he is already crying for me to get him out and I can't!!!
Please I need your advice as soon as possible
Thanks
Blaze,
)
The expert you asked your question of is no longer available, so I am trying to answer her questions.
It's great that you got a friend for your kitten. BUT you need to do the introduction process correctly and SLOWLY! You can't just put them together or you will have behavior problems, as you are seeing.
I am attaching a couple of links on how to go about the introduction process: (copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)
http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintro...
Once they can be together without fighting feed both cats yummy cat treats (like tuna or pieces of raw steak) TOGETHER. That is so the cats will associate each other with something pleasant.
Also getting a pet laser light (at PetSmart, etc.) is great for interaction between the two cats. They both can chase the 'little red bug' on the floor, ceilings, and walls, and they tend to forget about the other cat as they focus on the 'bug' which helps them get used to each other.
I use a big dog crate for a new cat. It has room for litterbox, food and water, small cat carrier without the door for a bed and to get up on, and they still have room. That way they can get used to other cats around, and other cats can sniff and check them out safely. You can gradually let the cat out for short periods of time as they start getting used to each other. I got mine at Petco. I am attaching a picture of it.
It just takes time and lots of patience, but it will all will work out.
Tabbi
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
***********
Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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