You are here:
Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/CAT AGGRESSION
Advertisement
Question
I have a 2 1/2 year old spayed female, and am in the process of introducing 4 1/2 month old un-spayed female. They were introduced bit by bit, and were aware of each other on the other side of the basement door. They hissed and growled for a bit and would chase each other. Now, the older cat is really pouncing on the kitten and the kitten is crying. She is much bigger than the kitten. I am worried and want to know the best approach. Thanks,
Patti,
)
The first thing I would do is get the kitten fixed. She is old enough. Sometimes the smell of an unaltered cat can make another cat behave aggressively.
What looks like rough play to us is not always to cats. Some cats are more vocal than others and will scream and cry before they are even touched! The older cat may be acting maternal and trying to teach the smaller kitten to fight, that's common. She may also just be being playful and she doesn't realize her size. She may also be 'schooling' the kitten on who is the 'boss' and head of the pecking order.
The kitten crying is 'kitty communication' that the bigger cat is being too rough. That is how they tell each other "that hurts, not so hard". As long as there is no blood being shed, major fur flying,
or ears pinned back, then I would just supervise. Separate them temporarily to give the kitten 'time outs' if it looks like the little one is getting tired or can't get away. If it runs right back to the bigger cat with no fear, then they are doing fine.
You may want to get a pet laser light (from Petco, PetSmart, etc.). That is an excellent interactive toy so both cats can play with each other and interact, but safely. Cats LOVE the chase the 'little red bug' on the walls and floors. Pulling a string around works too.
For future information, 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.
The kitten will soon grow and will give and good as she is getting, and "payback is a ....."! (smile). But it sounds like they are coming along fine. It takes time and patience to introduce a new cat or kitten.
I hope this helps!
Tabbi
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks so much for your advice. It all makes sense and has put my mind at ease. Actually, the kitten was one of five rescued from our backyard. We did have them all in the recroom in a large dog crate like the one you showed. They all got adopted to wonderful families and we kept Lilly. She had been downstairs for quite some time and we let our older cat come in for visits and then we let the kitten go upstairs for visits. Thanks sooooo much! | ||
Related Articles
- Cat Aggression - Cat Attack - Seven Ways to Stop Play Aggression
- Feline Owners Manual and Maintenance Guide - Erratic Performance
- When Housemates Fight - Ways to Handle Aggression Between Cats
- Fostering Pregnant Cats - Share your pregnant cat fostering experiences with other readers
- Memorial to Lizzie - Reader Stories: Memorials to Cats Loved and Lost
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 *
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.