About 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 *
Question We have an 18 year old cat that we've had since I was a
child. She's probably the coolest cat on the planet.. except
when it comes to interacting with other cats. A little
background on Midnight: She's a mostly indoor cat, but we do
let her go outside whenever she wants, she's spoiled rotten
and will meow for hours to get what she wants, always eating
soft food, sits on the kitchen table, has her own chair etc
etc. Now, on to the question. We have two new kittens, Storm
and Osiris, who are also equally awesome, but the problem is
Midnight literally hates them.. she won't let them anywhere
near her, she hisses, growls, swats what have you. Is there
any way to coax her into getting along with them?
Answer Aaron,
Your cat is 88 years old in human years and at that age they do not handle change well. The stress of the kittens could cause health and emotional problems, and a permanent personality change.
You can't force her to get along with them. They will probably never be friends and the best you can hope for is acceptance. I had one cat that hated kittens and moved to a neighbor's house for 6 months until the kittens were adults, then moved back!
Hisses, growls, and swats are kitty communication and she is telling them to back off, leave her alone, and that she is boss there.
Here are some good links for more information on introductions and older cats: (copy and paste or type the whole links into your address bar)
Being prepared and knowledgeable about elderly cats will make things easier for the cat and for you. I am including some very good links about elderly cats:
(Copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)
