Older cat and new kitten fighting

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2004
Older cat and new kitten fighting
7
Thu, 06-17-2004 - 11:05am
Hi Everyone,

Just a quick catch up on our situation at home. My DH and I are owned by a 21/2 yo male Abby. We recently bought home a new little sister for him as we are gone for most of the day (at work.) Hunter, our existing cat is very affectionate an loving towards us, and he is quite social when new people enter the house. Here is where it gets a little icky.. We had been considering getting Hunter a new friend for quite a while, but seeing as we just moved (again 4x in 2yrs)), we wanted to wait until we got a little more settled. Well we got word of an available 8 week old female abby (ame color as hunter - Red) and decided to get her. When we got home with her for the first night, Hunter was pretty ill (URI & slight conjunctivitis- he is an indoor only cat and she will be too) He was very mellow, due to his not feeling well, and just sort of ignored her. Now that Hunter is ont he mend, the fighting has started. I know it is normal, but is there a point when my dh or I should break it up? We kept them separate today (for the first time during the work day) Was that the right thing to do? She already seems to try to copy Hunter, but I don't want her to live in fear of him (as she now runs from him) Will this all get better? Sorry for the novel, but this is my first cat(s). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 06-17-2004 - 12:23pm

Welcome to the board Pags24!

Cat =^..^=
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2004
Thu, 06-17-2004 - 12:37pm
Thanks so much cl-cat. I placed the newbie ina separate room today, before leaving for work. I know it's all about the dominance thing, it's just tough to watch them have a spat. Should I be worried as my "original" cat is 8 lbs, and she is only 8 wks? Surprisingly the baby is the one who hisses the most. We will see how they interact tonight. I hope it works out. Thanks again!
Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 06-17-2004 - 3:27pm

Hi Pags24.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2004
Fri, 06-18-2004 - 9:30am
Thanks, Lcni. We do love the Abby's! The reason we considered adding another to the mix,as opposed to a different breed, was we loved Hunters personality, and the traits of the breed. Also, it is one of the only cats my DH isn't allergic too! LOL I keep them separated while I am not home during the day. I think rather than just letting them interact fully when I get home we will work on the new intro method this weekend. It seems as though the new comer instigates some of their spats. She has the habit of going over to Hunter and laying down right infront of him, expsoding her belly, waiting for him to make a move, then she start to swat and hiss. Hunter usually gets revved after that.

They do use each others boxes, so far without incident, and they both sleep with me (away from each other, but still on the same bed) in the bed at night without problems. It is almost as though they are competeing for our attention. Do you think that could be part of the problem? I am getting a little concerned about them ever becoming friends... BTW - I would love to share some pics, how do I do that? I am obviously very new to boards..lol

Thanks again!
Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 06-18-2004 - 11:09am

Hi again.


Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 06-18-2004 - 11:21am
Cat and Leslie have given you some great advice, I just wanted to say good luck to you! And that with time and patience it will work out!

Tami Cl-Royalkitties


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Tami Cl-Royalkitties

acat_wa

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2004
Fri, 06-18-2004 - 11:46am
Tami, Cat, and Leslie,

Thanks for asll the great inpu. It is really great that I can pick the brains of people with more cat experience than my DH and I have (which is not alot..LOL) They seem to be mamking the effort to adjust, I just hope it all works out. This is a great site, and I'm sure you'll all be seeing more of me and my furkids!! Thanks again.. I will let you know how they get make out over the weekend. I will work on that web site....

pags24