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Question
We got a male kitten when he was about 10 weeks old and is now 5 months old and we just got a new kitten yesterday, she is 4 months old. When we first introduced themselves his tail puffed to three times its normal size but after that he seemed to be alright. Now he keeps chasing her, attacking and biting her and she just wants to keep away from him. It seems he is trying to have sex with her but it looks like he is hurting her because he will start biting her and she will attack him. We were told they were too young to have sex and are trying to keep anything from happening. What should we do?
Julie & Patricia
Julie & Patricia,
At 5 months, your boy could be getting ready to come into puberty, and there are females who could come into season as early as 4 1/2 months of age. I would have the boy neutered. As long as a kitten weighs at least 4 pounds, there is no problem having them neutered or spayed as early as 12 weeks. I would get the girl spayed by age 5 months.
As to their behavior, these kittens are carrying out normal behaviors. It is common for kittens to carry out biting/scratching behaviors with each other. Cats have very, very tough skin and none of these behaviors will result in one hurting the other. It is, actually, how kittens play with their siblings, even before their eyes are open. The only thing you need to watch is that they do not carry out this biting/scratching behavior with us softer skinned humans.
It is normal to ascribe human motives and emotions to cats and kittens, but they do not think like we do, and we often misinterpret their behaviors. It sounds to me like your kittens really like each other and are engaging in normal kitten play.
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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