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Cats/Cat aggression towards human
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Question
I have an approximately 11 month old feral cat female. She has been with us for about 9 months. I have just found another cat on the street and brought her home. She is probably 2-3 months old. The older cat was very friendly but since I brought the kitten home she has became very aggressive towards us. It looks like she is frightened of the kitten. Every time I try to approach her she hisses, shows her teeth and on one occasion she actually attacked me. She stays away from the kitten but direct her aggression towards all of us. She does not allow us even within a meter or so from her. The kitten does not pay any attention to her and just gets on with her business. Is there anything that I can do to stop this behaviour?
Thanks
Eva
Eva,
Your established kitty is probably jealous of the new kitten! She is used to being the only cat in the household, so, when you play with the new kitten she probably gets jealous. Usually, it is a good idea, when bringing in a new kitten or cat, to play with the established kitty and give her lots of treats. This should be done as soon as the new kitten is brought home.
At this point, you will just have to give it time (maybe weeks or months). I would ignore the established kitty except to feed and provide water and let her come back around on her own. When she does, then you need to reward her with lots of attention and treats.
Her behavior is quite normal for the situation.
Please let me know what happens.
Best regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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