I've got a 3 year old cat that is very laid back and I just recently rescued a kitten from the RSPCA. It's only been 4 days so far.
My cat either hisses at him, or pays no attention to him. The kitten has started to copy some of her actions such as hissing, but I'm not sure he knows what it means as he hisses when his playing games.
My cat who was very loving towards me now doesn't come near me which is very upsetting as I feel I've let her down when the main reason I got a kitten was so she wasn't alone all day!
Help/advice please.
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Give each cat a blanket with the ofhers scent. Give them time to become accustomed to each other.
Im sure the kitten is just hissing as play. A lot of kittens will do that from imitating an older cat and not knowing what it means. These new interactions take time. Your cat may be a little possesive of his mama and is just jealous lol. But really, he probably smells the kittens scent on you and is steering clear until he gets acclimated. Give them time and Im sure they will bond organically :)
Let us know how it goes!
Good luck!
She will eventually bond with this new family member!When you play with them,do that together. Along with a blanket with the scent of the older cat.It will take some time, they will get better!
She will eventually bond with this new family member!When you play with them,do that together. Along with a blanket with the scent of the older cat.It will take some time, they will get better!
Socializing cats is not always as easy as dogs, unfortunately and it may take time to achieve peace in the household.
Is the older cat healthy? I always ask because sometimes hostility and behavior changes are physical, but it does sound like it is situational with a newbie in the house.
Since the baby is learning a bad habit of hissing from the older cat, it may be critical to keep them separate and set up a safe way for them to safely interact through a baby gate or other situation where they can see each other, but not hurt each other?
The getting used to each other phase like (see, hear, and smell, but NOT TOUCH) this allows both their space and safe sides and they can get used to each other being there.
Once it gets to be where there is no hissing through the gate, then the gate can come down and they can get to know each other in short bursts in the same space, then back to separate.
Gradually lengthen the time together until there is no separation.
When doing the short bursts, they both need to have attention, so if you can do the meet and greets where each of them is getting a little love from a human at the same time, that can often help lessen the anger that one is getting attention and the other not.
When the socialization times are over, each cat will need some one one one time with you, even if it is being in their presence.
Safety and time are critical to this process. You don't want any fur flying or humans being scratched in this process so just be aware of what's happening and be safe with this.
There are times where after a few months it just isn't happening (maybe the older cat really liked being alone--it happens. Cats can co-exist in houses in different spaces if you can do it safely. I used to kitty sit for a family like this...there was a third floor gal, a second floor gal, and a first floor gal. Three little boxes, 3 different foods, and three different personalities. I loved them all, but they hated each other. Doors and baby gates kept everyone safe and happy.
Post back with updates! Blessings and prayers for kitty peace!
Thank you so much for your advice and to everyone else also.
She is very healthy and has just recently had a vet check also have had a baby gate up and when it is up there is no hissing what so ever only during play time (according to kitty)
The update for today: it's been a better day so far with only 2 incidents of hissing from my resident cat, she does seem to want to play however she also doesnt want to seem soft.
His trying to be playful with her but again she just seems to show her dominance and then have a lay down with her back to him and I've heard this is a good sign?
They fall asleep rather close to one another and always have their backs to each other. My resident cat has been showing me a little more attention however it is her birthday today so I'm making sure she feels loved as well as the little one.
I'm just hoping they stop hissing and they can get along as I really want them to be friends.
I will keep posting updates
Thank you again to everyone
Happy birthday to your kitty!!! It sounds like things are moving in the right direction!!! Post back with continued updates and things that you find helpful!! We all are hear to learn what works for others!!
Blessings!!!
Thank you!
The situation has improved a lot. I've come to the conclusion that the resident cat may have bipolar . I've caught them showing one another affection a few times but the minute me or my partner walk into the room she acts like shes not interested.
The kitten seems to know his place around her although he does seem to test her quiet a lot when it comes to food.
They are both very food motivated so this does work as a pro but also a con in some situations. We are just being very careful.
It's been over a week now and I think I couldnt of asked for much more it's all going smooth at the moment.
Thank you to everyone for all the comments and help. I've literally done everything recommended to me.
This situation sounds like it is going well. Real progress. Keep in mind that your cats are figuring out who is going to be dominant. It is usually the older cat. I kept my daughters cat when I had a new kitten (5 months). Every time the kitten would approach the older cat the older cat would turn and hiss and snarl and walk away. One day she did this and the kitten literally backed up and sat down. It was over. The older cat was dominant and happy about it. I never heard another hiss or snarl. To this day they are besties.
Hi guys!
Just to update you all, the resident cat and kitten are now getting along just fine with some outbursts but mainly play. Kitten likes to test his limits but she sure does put him into place.
Thanks to everyone for the help and advice. I tried every single one and felt they all helped. It just took abit of time and patience.
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