Cat Behavior Help!

[poohs_hunny]

I have a 5-year-old cat that I've had since he was about 6 weeks old. Three months ago I adopted a 3-month-old kitten. When introduced, everything went smoothly - no hissing, growling, or fighting. I thought everything would be great, but they are certainly not best friends. My older cat likes to chase or swat at the littler guy (now 6 months). He just doesn't seem happy a lot of the time unless he's getting fed or getting attention from me (for example, walks with his tail down).

Anyway, that's not the real issue. I'm only mentioning it in case this may be contributing to the problem. My issue is this:

When the older guy used to act "naughty" (eating kitten's food, getting into things he shouldn't), either a stern "NO!" or a loud noise such as clapping would get him to stop. Lately, when I do this, he completely ignores me and keeps on doing whatever he's doing. Then, when I go to remove him from the situation by giving him a nudge or picking him up, he will sometimes hiss at me or give a mean sounding meow. He's done this several times in the last few days, and it has me concerned. Why is he getting nasty with me? I am concerned that this could escalate to him trying to scratch or bite me, and I am not having that!

So, cat experts, what do you think is going on? Could it have to do with the new kitten? What can I do to make the nastiness stop? Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

We went through this when we got our last kitten. You need to show the older cat that your the alpha. if your afraid your going to get bit, get out the squirt bottle and try water training. It may sound creul but it will help the older cat see that YOUR in charge.

 

[poohs_hunny]

We went through this when we got our last kitten. You need to show the older cat that your the alpha. if your afraid your going to get bit, get out the squirt bottle and try water training. It may sound creul but it will help the older cat see that YOUR in charge.

Thanks! I was thinking about trying the water thing. I'd like to get a squirt gun instead of a spray bottle since one of his favorite times to be naughty is when I'm on the treadmill and he knows I'm busy. If I had the squirt gun I could "shoot" him without getting off. But I'm not sure where I could find a squirt gun in November!

 

[epcotprincess]

Hi there, owner of 3 wonderful kitties here!

My oldest is a serious alpha. When we brought number 2 into the picture, he wasn't happy, despite our attempts at a slow and healthy introduction.

I would personally recommend feeding the kitten somewhere where the alpha cannot get to the kitten's food. BUT, before you feed the smaller cat, feed the older cat first. Make sure he thinks you recognize him as the alpha as well.

I don't know if you are using wet or dry food, but cats tend to respond exceptionally well to wet food. So for example, you should feed your older cat wet food, and when he's really into it, feed your kitten elsewhere. Then as time goes on, feed them at the same time, closer together each time, making sure the kitten knows not to go towards the alpha's food. Be generous with the cuddles for your alpha at this time, too.

Then if you normally use dry food, start giving alpha half and half mixed together, and then less and less wet until it's all dry and you're feeding them side by side. Things will get better when kitten and alpha are eating the same food and you can just leave food out. Alpha doesn't really know why he's not "supposed" to eat kitten's food... he just knows it's food.

I would give your normal vet a jingle and ask for input as well, as they're usually more than willing to help and have great advice. If you have a cats-only clinic in your area, those vets are usually the most knowledgeable on cat integration, so you could call them as well. I did this when I integrated my first two. By the time we adopted #3, alpha was so used to having #2 around his food while he was eating and used to having another cat around that he hardly noticed or cared that there was yet another.

I would attempt doing it this way before doing the spray bottle, because sometimes that doesn't have such great results and you may end up with a resentful cat who never has a good relationship with the kitten.

Good luck, there are solutions and this behavior is totally normal! My cats are now very happy and well integrated!

 

[hambirg]

Yeah. . .sounds like he is mad at you.

My cat has been known to do those kinds of things. . .mostly with my DD15. I was told by the vet that she thinks DD is her litter mate. She knows I'm the alpha and that my two younger kids are the "babies". . .but poor DD15.

I think the water training might be good. The vet recommended putting her in kitty timeout when she acts like this. . .put her in the bathroom or upstairs or wherever and close the door. You might try something like that.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have a 5-year-old cat that I've had since he was about 6 weeks old. Three months ago I adopted a 3-month-old kitten. When introduced, everything went smoothly - no hissing, growling, or fighting. I thought everything would be great, but they are certainly not best friends. My older cat likes to chase or swat at the littler guy (now 6 months). He just doesn't seem happy a lot of the time unless he's getting fed or getting attention from me (for example, walks with his tail down).

Anyway, that's not the real issue. I'm only mentioning it in case this may be contributing to the problem. My issue is this:

When the older guy used to act "naughty" (eating kitten's food, getting into things he shouldn't), either a stern "NO!" or a loud noise such as clapping would get him to stop. Lately, when I do this, he completely ignores me and keeps on doing whatever he's doing. Then, when I go to remove him from the situation by giving him a nudge or picking him up, he will sometimes hiss at me or give a mean sounding meow. He's done this several times in the last few days, and it has me concerned. Why is he getting nasty with me? I am concerned that this could escalate to him trying to scratch or bite me, and I am not having that!

So, cat experts, what do you think is going on? Could it have to do with the new kitten? What can I do to make the nastiness stop? Thanks for any help you can give!

You have to stop being nasty to the cat first off. No more yelling, clapping or loud noises for correction. And also remove the problem issues you have as best you can.
What is the cat doing that you have to go over and "pick him up" or give him a nudge?

Feed the cats on a schedule if you do not want older cat to eat the kitten food. The food issue is easily solved that way.

Also use the squirt bottle for tables, counters, etc.

You need to reduce the stress in the house and not increase it if that makes sense.

 

[bballmom56]

You have to stop being nasty to the cat first off. No more yelling, clapping or loud noises for correction. And also remove the problem issues you have as best you can.
What is the cat doing that you have to go over and "pick him up" or give him a nudge?

Feed the cats on a schedule if you do not want older cat to eat the kitten food. The food issue is easily solved that way.

Also use the squirt bottle for tables, counters, etc.

You need to reduce the stress in the house and not increase it if that makes sense.

I agree with this advice. Plus some cats are just not going to be accepting of a new cat in their territory. We have a female that we brought into our house as a feral 2 week old kitten that had been abandoned by her mom and siblings. We already had at least one other cat. When she was about 4 yo, we adopted 2 older cats (4 and 7 yo). That was ten years ago. She has never and will never accept those cats. They have all just learned to avoid each other the best that they can. They certainly get out of her way! Yet she still wants and needs positive attention from us. Squirting her or punishing her is NOT going to solve the "let's all get along" problem". If anything, it would make it worse.

We have 2 areas in the house where we feed them, so no one has to leave hungry, and they all have a "safe" place to eat.

 

[poohs_hunny]

You have to stop being nasty to the cat first off. No more yelling, clapping or loud noises for correction. And also remove the problem issues you have as best you can.
What is the cat doing that you have to go over and "pick him up" or give him a nudge?

Feed the cats on a schedule if you do not want older cat to eat the kitten food. The food issue is easily solved that way.

Also use the squirt bottle for tables, counters, etc.

You need to reduce the stress in the house and not increase it if that makes sense.

I don't see correcting problem behavior as being "nasty" to my cat. I don't let him do whatever he wants, and if he is somewhere he is not supposed to go and doesn't respond to my "No!" then yes, I pick him up to remove him. Of course I remove as many temptations as possible, but sometimes cats just get in that naughty mood and look for trouble! I do feed them on a schedule. It's not that the older cat finishes his food and goes for the kitten's. He still has food, he just wants the kitten's too! I have started separating the two for a couple of hours a day to give the older cat a break, and I will try the spray bottle for when there are problems.

 

[Agri]

I would definitely contact your vet - I would actually take the older cat in. If they were getting along okay before, there might be something going on with the older cat physically.

Otherwise, make sure each cat has a separate place to go so they have time away from each other. Also, make the older cat first in everything -feeding, attention, etc.

You need to consider that in human years, your older cat would be almost 40 and the kitten would be 10 years old. That's a huge difference socially. You might have done better to adopt an older cat rather than a kitten. Your first cat might just be annoyed by the energetic young kitten and that is unlikely to change.