I don't know what to do with our 2yr neutered male cat. We got another cat and were told it was a female, but it is a male. My older one really is not getting along with him. We have a plug in thing, but it has not worked. Should we keep him in as we've let him out and he disappears for 24 hrs? He hisses and growls whenever the kitten is around.
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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.
Do you have a 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, 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.
I really don't like cats being left outdoors. Where I am it is MUCH too dangerous because of roads and predators. Generally it is just much safer for cats to be indoor pets, not outdoors. The birds and bunnies in the neighborhood will thank you also.
I have one friend who went through all of this socializing and it still didn't work. Her solution worked well for her, which was she had the upstairs cat and the downstairs cat. It involved one closed door so it was not a huge inconvenience. These cats lived this way for many years and there was peace.
Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do!
Post back with updates! Blessings and prayers for kitty peace!
Try to give the cat a blanket with the kittens scent. Sometimes it takes time for them to become accustomed to the scent of another animal.
Also get some kind of a perch that will allow the cat to demonstrate dominance.
Give them more time to bond. Make sure they both get equal attention!
This is a hard thing to do. I have been there more than once. You have 2 male cats and that will help. They seem to blend better. Expect lots of hissing and running along the walls, some chasing hissing and growling. You need to draw the line if there is any damage being done. This process can take a month or more. Have a room where you can put the new kitten with a litter box, water and food, toys and a cat bed. When things get too stressful the kitten can go to his room for a break. Give your older cat special time and attention. Treats are good too. Let the cats play under the door as much as they want to.
My male cat (about 11) was very unhappy with our new rescue kitten at first. He would hiss at her and rebuff her attention. But he never tried to hurt her, just wanted her to stay away. After a few months, they worked it out and left each other alone, mostly.
We just got back from a long weekend where both of them were home alone together. They seem to have bonded over that time and have been sleeping in the same bed, although not cuddled up together yet.
Here's hoping that your cats start getting along soon.
This is totally normal. Male cats love their territory and they do not want another cat invading their space. Over time this can work out if you try to socialize them a little at a time. You may need to take the kitten and put him in another room away from the other cat. Each time you feed the cats feed them where they are closer together and can smell each other.
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