Problem with new kitty and older cat.

[rg_girlca]

I need some advice on what to do with a difficult situation that has arised. I got a new kitty when he was 5 weeks old, we named him Mooky. I have an older cat named Katie who is going on 11 years. When we fist got Mooky, of course Katie wanted nothing to do with him, but after about 2 weeks she started playing with him and sleeping and licking him. Now Mooky is almost 6 months old and for the past 2 months or so, Katie wants nothing to do with him. She has become very mean with him and I mean really mean. Whenever Mooky wants to play with her, she spits, hisses and actually attacks him with biting and scratching. Mooky can't even come near Katie without her hissing and growling at him. I am at my wits end with this. Do you think things will change once i get Mooky fixed. I hope so, cause my youngest son will be moving back in with me and will be bringing his two cats. Male, age 7 months, fixed and a female age 6 months, soon to be fixed.
Any adivice will be greatly appreciated.

[kimlovescats]

I would get the kitten neutered as soon as possible! Your older female is probably feeling threatened by him!!!

[jenluckenbach]

I agree that it is very likely to be the neutering issue. He may be trying to enforse some dominance that he did not before.

[BastetsMum]

Get Mooky neutered asap! Its a dominance issue!

[sasvermont]

I agree, female cats know when a male cat is unaltered, if you will. That is not to say that once you have Mooky neutered all will be heaven in the household.

I would turn up the TV, use a Walkman, drink wine and in general let them work it out. When there is a multiple pet household, usually there is a pecking order established and you cannot really control it. They have to work it out. If you are really lucky, it will run smoothly, if not, well, have a glass of wine, sit back and let them do their thing!

By the way, not everyone will agree with me about this, so I am mentioning this as my advice based on my experience and I am no way an authority on this.

I have tried many different ways of introducing cats to each other, and they have all backfired except to introduce them straight away (after the usual quaratine period if they are strays or shelter kitties...since you don't want to spread diseases....)...

Since you know the source of your cats then isolation for health reasons isn't such an issue.

Good luck. Keep a good sense of humor with the introductions and by all means, let us know what happened!

Cats will be cats.

[moosmom]

Good advice. I'd get Mookie fixed and fast. I usually get my cats spayed and neutered at 5 months. It's also possible that Mookie is starting to feel his oats (so to speak) and wants to try them out on your older cat.

[rg_girlca]

Thank you all so very much for your advice. Yes Mooky is scheduled to be fixed next week. But I really like your advice Sasvermont about sitting back and having a glass of wine. Maybe two eh! LOL. I know once Mooky is fixed that the problem won't be solved right away.
Please keep your fingers crossed that in the end it does work out.
I will let you know how things turn out.
Thanks again you guys are the greatest.

[smokey the elder]

Male cats who are not neutered or even recently neutered will sometimes attempt to *ahem* get friendly with a female. TicTac did that with Pixel but she didn't seem to object! Oh for a camera, but I suspect that would be considered purrno.

[aguu]

OMG!! PURRNO!!
I haven't laughed this hard in a very long time!
I nominate that to be the word of the day!!!

[smokey the elder]

It's not mine. I stole it off another cat board.

[Cataholic]

I might add something to the mix. Is it possible that this is simply a rascally kitten getting 'taught' manners? I think if it went smoothy at first, and now is becoming a problem, it might be that the older cat is getting fed up with this bratty behaviour???

As to the nuetering, remember that it can take some time AFTER the sir jury for the body to rid itself of the hormones.

As to the purrno, that is quite a funny word! I can think of one thing Tex does that would classify as purrno!!!!

[catland]

Cataholic may have a point there. I've noticed that kittens have "kitten immunity" when they are younger but once they start to grow up, the older cats say ok - enough is enough - these are the house rules and here is how you fit in!

When my Sid was a kitten, our next door neighbor cat, Tucker, became his mentor. It was so cute. But occasionally Tucker would grow tired of Sid's antics and let him know he had crossed the line. We knew he wasn't in a real fight with Sid, but was just showing him the ropes.

[rg_girlca]

Hi everyone.

Well Mooky was fixed on tuesday morning. He pulled through it with flying colors.
Yes I have to agree with the last couple of posts. I tend to lean more towards that Katie is getting tired of Mooky's kitty antics.
Cause he wasn't really trying any Purrno with her. LOL I loved that expression also.
The only time Katie has any relieve from Mooky is when he is sleeping.
I mean Mooky doesn't have to do anything with Katie, just walk in the same room that she is in and she starts growling and hissing at him.
As I pull my hair out i keep telling her, " It,s ok sweetie, be nice to your baby brother.
Oh well, i guess only time will tell, Here's hoping.
Thanks again everyone, i'm going to get my glass of wine now.

[catland]

Any updates?

I was just recalling when we had older/younger cat problems - what I wish I did back then was to give them separate places to eat. I do that now with my gang (because Jan is very grouchy when she thinks that she has to share feeding time). It gives all of us peace and quiet. It also just seems to improve her overall disposition - she knows how to hold a grudge.

[rg_girlca]

Hi catland;

Mooky and Katie do have separate eating places and litter boxes also.
Things are still the same, Katie still hates having her little furbro around. Mind you I have noticed that Mooky has settled down just a little bit. There have been times when Mooky is near Katie and she hasn't growled or hissed at him, and I tell her what a good girl she is.
So here's to another glass of wine (lol) and fingers crossed.