When kittens are put into a household with an older cat, they may become too competitive. because the kitten still possesses its feral cat instincts and hasn’t been taught to restrain itself.
When a new kitten is brought into a home with an older adult cat, this kind of problem is usual.
The adolescent wants to have fun with someone who has the same level of physical and mental maturity as him but who also enjoys having fun.
Your kitten is a typical kitten with high-powered kitten ambitions, full of play and kitten shenanigans.
Cats over the age of ten usually don’t notice the antics of children, preferring instead to recline next to the window and watch the show. We can explain why your kitten is attacking your senior cat in this article.
We can figure out how to supervise and train your kitten so that it can interact with the older cat. If you’re experiencing this issue with your pets, don’t give up.
Chapters
Why Are Kittens Aggressive?
Modern house cats retain their predecessors’ penchant for hunting and perusing just as strongly as their wild counterparts.
When a cat perceives an object moving in a way that elicits the instinct to attack, the object is considered a threat or prey by the cat.
This is because the cat regards the object as a threat or prey. A cat is forced to use its claws and teeth in one of two ways depending on how it is pushed.
There is a lot of hostility among kittens that stems from fear and curiosity. As cats get older, there may be additional reasons for them to become aggressive and attack their owners, like when they sense something is wrong and lash out at their owners.
When defending its “territory” against an intruder such as a small child or another animal, a kitten may become hostile. The behavior may be typical for a while, but if it continues for a long period of time, it’s time to consider a change.
A mother cat’s instinct to defend her young can also lead to aggressive behavior. Animals that are in pain or fearful may lash out.
Under these circumstances, a specific cause can be quickly identified, which is not the same as long-term or regular violent behavior.
Younger Cats Bullying Older Cat
As cats get older, they’re more likely to take advantage of their younger and more vulnerable counterparts. However, there are instances in which the younger cat is the one posing for the pictures at the house. Keep reading to discover how to stop your younger cat from bothering your senior cat if this is something you’ve experienced.
Because of their natural curiosity or anxiety, kittens and younger cats may also be aggressive toward older cats. Because of redirected aggression, that could also be the case.
Younger cats are more likely to bully elder cats because they feel threatened by them. However, if this type of behavior continues for more than a few months, you should take corrective action.
Cats that are younger but have medical difficulties have a chance of succeeding in a competition. Before treating behavioral factors for hostility and bullying, it is critical to rule out underlying medical problems.
Physical ailments such as liver disease, epilepsy, poor hearing or vision, rheumatoid arthritis, a brain disorder, or even medications like Cortisone can cause aggression.
Bullying and violence can also be caused by a lack of socialization, the introduction of a new cat that isn’t needed, and overpopulation in a home.
How do I stop my kitten from attacking my older cat?
Make sure your older cat has locations where she can hide and escape from the new addition to your family. No matter whether it’s a tunnel or a cat tower, the cats should be able to explore freely without causing any harm to one another. Ensure that the kitten has enough of stimulation while allowing your other pets some time to itself.
A kitten’s entire life revolves around play, and play revolves around prey. each dash down the corridor, each swat and nip is a display of the hunting abilities of a kitten’s hunting instincts, which are as strong today’s housecat as they were hundreds of years ago. Everything in the house, including you, is prey to a kitten.
He learns to restrain his bite from his mother and siblings, who are his first playmates. If a kitten is isolated from his family too early, he may not have learned this lesson and will not know when to delay.
In addition, the cat might learn that challenging play is acceptable if humans use their hands and/or feet instead of toys. Training your kitten or young adult cat to avoid rough play is no longer difficult in most circumstances.
No cat should ever be allowed to play with your fingers or toes.Play with him using a toy. A fishing pole-type toy is perfect since it keeps your palms away from the kitty’s mouth and claws while encouraging your kitten to pounce on the toy. Cats are so playful that they will even carry a tossed toy back to their owner’s lap.
Give your kitten a toy he can wrestle with, such as a soft stuffed animal about his size, so he can grab, gnaw, and kick it with his back toes. In particular when they’re younger, this is a common way kittens interact with one another.
Another reason for making this type of opportunity a play goal is that they are attempting to play with human feet and palms in this manner.
As soon as your kitten accepts a “wrestling toy,” get your hand out of the way and rub it against his stomach to stimulate rough-and-tumble play.When your kitten nips or pounces, don’t hit or yell at her.
This is the finest way to make her frightened of you and make her avoid you. She will not be penalized, which is a welcome change. All you’ll need is a water cannon and a bunch of toys to get the job done.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How do I stop my kitten from terrorizing my older cat?
Separation, patience, and resources are the most effective ways to prevent your kitten from attacking your cat. You can make your kitten not to reach the territories of the older cats. That will force the kitten to learn the territories of the particular kitten areas.
- Why is my kitten grooming my older cat?
Social grooming strengthens the family’s ties. If so, do you also have an older cat and kittens from the same litter? Liking an older cat shows the elder cat’s acceptance within the household.
- Is my kitten trying to dominate my older cat?
It’s not rare for kittens to bully and dominate adults, despite the fact that one might expect an older cat to be more established and dominant. There are times when littermates are useful, but this isn’t always the case.
- Is it normal for kittens to attack older cats?
kittens are more likely to become violent because they are afraid or curious. Redirected aggression or when a cat lashes out at its owner because it knows something is wrong may also be to blame for cat aggression and assaults in elderly cats.
- Why is my kitten biting my cats’ neck?
The neck is a simple target for predators because it’s so accessible. In the presence of two cats who are familiar with one another, this tendency to exert dominance can be observed. A combination of play and dominance is usually the cause of a cat biting another cat.
- How do I know if my cat is too rough with a kitten?
As long as the kitten is uninjured and the two appear to be playing, the tiny one will be less fearful, but if the large cat shows signs of hostility, such as hissing, hunching over, and widening his eyes, the little one need not be concerned. If this behavior persists, you may want to consider separating them for a while. However, a lot of cats enjoy playing rough!
- How long does it take for an old cat to get used to a new kitten?
Most cats require between eight and 12 months to form a connection with a new feline companion. Even though some cats develop a strong bond, this isn’t always the case. It’s not uncommon for two cats who don’t get along to avoid each other, but it’s also common for two cats to fight when they first meet.
- Can cats get depressed with new kitten?
Most likely, your new kitten is being lavished with more affection than your previous cat was. Sadly, your aging cat will detect this and feel the loss of love they’re used to, and they’ll be sad about it. Having your old cat feel like it’s losing not only its home, but you, too, may be depressing.
- Is my cat and kitten fighting or playing?
You know your cats are having fun if they’re comfortable and their ears are pointed forward. It’s a clue that they’re fighting rather than playing if your cats flatten, hold back, or puff up their fur or tails. Following a fatigued cat until it runs away could also be a warning indication.
- What is single kitten syndrome?
We’re not as excellent at saying, “Ouch, that was too hard!” as other kitties are, so to speak. Single Kitten Syndrome results in “attitude” in kittens. When they grow up and their conduct isn’t as charming, they get returned because they play too rough.
Final words
Kittens are like blank canvases when they enter this world. They develop a persona as they conduct research through personal experience. Cats are extremely intelligent and can pick up new skills quickly, but it’s how you teach them that makes all the difference. Persistence may be required. You’ll need to have a lot of energy. It’s possible that you’ll feel like ripping your hair out at times.
If you’re lucky, the adorable cat will come over and snuggle up to you, purring like an angel. A trusting friendship between the two will develop when they have learned their lesson and become acquainted with the resident cat. It’s well worth the effort to tame your kitten so that your home can once again be a peaceful haven for you and your family.
