Expert: Dear Tabbi - 10/1/2009

Question
Tabbi, I have 2 cats, one a Humane Society rescue that is older and one, Roxie, that adopted us about a year ago, is about a year old and is definitely feral as she fits the description of a feral cat, especially when she starts whipping her tail around and then attacks your hand.  Both are fixed, both are outside when we are not home and inside for the most part when we are, including at night. About 3 weeks ago, a kitten appeared in our garage. She is about 9 weeks old now, according to the vet. The older cat pretty much ignores it or will hiss if it gets too close and then walks away.  Roxie is my problem.  She has always given the older cat a hard time, jumping on her, but has never hurt her. She hates the new kitten.  The poor thing spends the day hiding in the garage.  When I get home I bring her in the house and she plays in my bedroom.  Anytime Roxie sees her she goes after her swatting and hissing.  I've kept them separate as much as possible, then tried feeding them in the same room, but the other day Roxie finished eating and went after the kitten.  Kitten is now too scared to eat in the same room.  The Roxie sleeps on my bed and I've let the kitten play on it to get her scent on it.  Roxie has also watched her thru the window, but her attitude about the kitten doesn't seem to be getting any better. I've read the articles you recommend about introducing cats.  Do you have any more advise?  How am I going to get them to get along if I can't put them in the same room together without Roxie attacking?  Thanks for your help.

Answer
Lori,

You probably can't leave the kitten in the same room with Roxie until the kitten grows up and is big enough to to defend itself. A lot of older cats do NOT like kittens! It may be because of their smell, their size, or their energy level. It is not good to have a little kitten with an aggressive older cat, especially a feral that is going to seriously defend it's territory. Roxie can seriously injure the kitten, on purpose or by accident because of the size and weight difference, and this is not fair to the kitten and it is very stressful and frightening to him.

The major worry is that Roxi's actions towards the kitten will traumatize the kitten and affect his personality and behavior, and it may stress the older cats causing behavior problems like peeing inappropriately or being aggressive towards each other and you.

Hissing, growls, and slaps are normal 'kitty communication'. The are ways to warn each other, state who is 'boss', etc. They are not worrisome unless there are ears pinned back, major fur flying, or blood being shed.

Ideally you need to have 2 kittens when you have older resident cats. They kittens can play with each other and not do annoy the other cats by trying to play with them or cuddle with them. The kitten needs a friend to play with, cuddle with, and comfort him, especially being so young, in this scary new world.

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.

I would also use a rolled up newspaper and swat Roxie when she gets aggressive with the kitten to let her know that you won't accept that behavior around the kitten. Wait a few minutes, then love on Roxie. You want her afraid of the newspaper (which won't hurt her, but will scare her with the noise) but NOT afraid of YOU! Cats go by association and you want her to associate the newspaper with her behavior with the kitten.

There is not a magic cure-all for this issue, except for time. Make sure that you are giving Roxie and your other cat plenty of extra love and attention so they do not feel slighted or feel that you 'like the kitten better than them'. I would keep the cats away from the kitten except when you are there to supervise their interactions and to be able to protect the kitten. It may take a couple of months (hopefully less) for the cats, especially Roxie, to accept the kitten...if Roxie ever does. You may want to think about 'fostering' the kitten with someone until it is bigger, then you can start the introductions over again. If not, it is going to take a lot of time and patience. And in that case I would think about another kitten for company and companionship for the little one.

Tabbi