You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Cats
- Cats
- Older Cat With New Kitten
Cats/Older Cat With New Kitten
Advertisement
Question
Hey,
I have a 9 week old kitten, the older cat Milford [ who is 3.5 yrs old] plays with the kitten during the day just fine, they wrestle and attack each other and he grooms the kitten to sleep, they sleep and snuggle together.
But at night from 11pm - 7am it's like jeckle and hyde. Milford starts crying/meowing and pins the kitten and holds onto his neck skin and won't let the kitten go, the kitten will meow a few times then starts screaming, Milford sometimes will let go. Once the kitten is free, he takes a second to groom himself then starts running around like a crazed cat again [ he's not hurt whatsoever] but the kitten screaming is worrisome.
IT's odd that during the day they play great, no meowing or anything then as 11pm hits, Milford goes into crazy mode. If the kitten is sleeping, Milford doesn't do anything.
Any thoughts?
Kris,
I am assuming Milford is neutered.
It all sounds normal to me. At 9 weeks the kitten is a bit young to be introduced to a new home, but things should eventually settle down as the kitten gets older. As long as no one is really getting hurt, I would ignore the games.
Normally cats are nocturnal, so until they get used to our schedule, they tend to be more raucous at night time than during the day.
Best regards... Norm.
Related Articles
- Help with integrating kitten with older cat - Cat Behavior FAQ - Kitten vs Older Cat
- Your Kittens First Year - What to Expect
- How can I get my new kitten to leave my adult cat alone - Behavioral FAQ
- Kitten Fostering Takes a Financial and Emotional Commitment - Reader Stories: How I Became a Foster Parent to Rescued Cats and Kittens
- Before You Get Your First Cat Lesson 2 - What Kind of Cat Should I Get
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.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.