Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/27/2008

Question
QUESTION: We got a new kitten 3 days ago.  We left him in a crate in the living room and allowed our 2 year old cat to get used to him.  I then played with the cat for a couple of hours until he seemed completely comfortable. I then took the new kitten out of the crate and held him facing away from my cat and allowed my cat to sniff the living crap outta the new kitten. They seem to get along ok except that my older cat seems extremely dominant over the new kitten. I know this is normal but my cat weighs 17lbs and he isn't overweight (we call him the BobLynx). He wraps his paws around the kitten and lays on him licking the crap out of his head and neck. This is ok, the kitten doesn't cry out or really even fight this. The BIG problem is this, my big cat grabs the little kitten by the throat, like a lion killing an antelope. The kitten doesn't fight this either. He just lies there looking all cool and calm. Only once the kitten has made noise (a quiet wavery mewling) when the cat grabbed him by the throat. The cat is constantly trying to bit the kittens belly as well. All i have to do is stand up and say the cats name and he gets up and walks off, like he knows he's doing something bad. I want to keep my new kitten and my cat. We got the kitten due to a biting problem with out cat (breeding or play behaviour according to vets and behaviourists, they suggested getting another cat). Any advice you can hand over would be really appreciated.

Thanks,
Dana (mom)
Aloysius (2yrs)
Dio (the baby)

ANSWER: Dana,

Anytime you get a cat friend it's best to get one that is similar in age and temperment. You also need to do an introduction process slowly. The most important thing about introductions is to go SLOWLY! Do not try to rush it or force them together or you WILL end up with behavior problems. I am including some excellent links to articles on how to do the introductions properly. They should be helpful as a guide.
(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 the cats can be together without being aggressive, or freaking out, feed the cats yummy cat treats periodically (like tuna, sardines (in oil) or pieces of raw steak, etc.) TOGETHER. That is so the cats will associate each other with something pleasant. Also getting a pet laser light (at PetSmart, Petco, etc.) is great for interaction between the cats. They can chase the 'little red bug' on the floor, ceilings, and walls, and they tend to forget about the other cats as they focus on the 'bug' which helps them get used to each other.

Until the kitten is bigger and can defend himself I would never leave them alone together. The bigger cat can easily hurt the little one without meaning to.

Tabbi




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

QUESTION: They get along fine, they aren't afraid of each other or displaying aggressive behaviour at all. Aloysius just bites Dio's throat and belly like he's trying to kill and eat him. Most of the time they jump around and play and groom each other or sleep all tangled up with each other...its just once and a while Aloysius displays this behaviour. And Aloysius can't eat anything except his special cat food because he has inflammatory bowel disease. He's picky anyway. Any suggestions on that?

Answer
Dana,

What seems like rough play to us is not to cats. Unless major fur is flying, ears are pinned back, or blood is being shed then I would not worry too much.

I am not a vet so I can't help much with the cat's bowel disease but I am attaching some links that may be helpful:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)

http://marvistavet.com/html/body_inflammatory_bowel_disease.html

http://www.vetinfo.com/cencyclopedia/ceindex.html

I would always get a 2nd vet's opinion when there is a serious disease being diagnosed.

I hope this is helpful.

Tabbi