[Nicolehubb]

I have two male cats who will be 2 in October. We have just got a 6 week old kitten who be got on Sunday. Both cats have hissed at the kitten which I expected. My two cats are loving and very placid and affectionate. However, one of the two last night seemed particullary unhappy and was meowing and growling more than usual. My boyfriend picked him up and he clawed his cheeks and bit his head. This is totally out of character and I am a bit worried about him. This morning, he jumped onto my bed for a cuddle as he always does but I am worried as he has never done anything like that before. Is this just temporary while he adjusts to the new kitten or will he behave like this now as long as the kitten is in our home?

[morgaine300]

He very likely is just adjusting to the new kitten. Just let them alone. He may have scratched cause he was freaked out. I would say let him come to you when he chooses to and obviously not pick him up - or if you can sense what mood he's in, you may be able to tell when it's OK and when it's not. (Like perhaps when the kitten's not in the room.) You might try petting him without picking him up. When he does come to you, make sure he gets some good lovin' so he knows he's still important.

(I've had cats who did not want to be picked up when outsiders were in the house. Probably the same sort of thing.)

I'd separate the new kitten when you aren't around, until you feel confident they will not kill each other while you're gone. But let them work things out for themselves. The growling and hissing are going to happen. Stay out of it unless it looks like one might get seriously hurt. They need to establish themselves on their own.

In my experience, they generally do revert back to their normal behaviors. That does not necessarily mean they will love any new cats - sometimes it's more of a "tolerate" situation. They might hate each other, or becomes best buds. But in terms of day-to-day behaviors and how they act with you, they usually return to normal. Mine all have. The nice ones went back to being nice, and the she-witch I had remained a she-witch. LOL.

[artlady]

Be sure to show the adult cats lots of extra attention.

A behavior modification trick that may be helpful is when ever you bring the kitten near the cat,give the cat a special treat.

Do this every time you *introduce* the cat and kitten.

Don't allow them alone together.

Repeat the treat giving every day when you *reintroduce * cat and kitty.

Eventually the cat will associate the kitty with something favorable instead of seeing the kitten as a threat to his/her attention.

I would do this once a day for several days or possibly up to a few weeks.

They may never be friends but may come to tolerate each other.

[Nicolehubb]

Thank you! I shall try the "treat" trick! The older two go outside when I go to work everyday anyway, so it has not been a problem separating them while there is no one around. Had a bit of a breakthrough this morning, I woke up and had all 3 cats on my bed! The one older cat who has pretty much come round to the kitten was asleep in his usual spot (which he has not done since the kitten arrived) at the end of the bed, the kitten was asleep against my side and then the one who clawed my boyfriend jumped onto me for his morning cuddle... I was a bit scared at first, but for a while he did not even notice the kitten and was licking my face and purring while I stroked him. When he noticed him he stared at him, I continued to stroke him. Then he did a couple of small growls... whenever he growled I stopped stroking him, then when he stopped growling I started again! He stayed there for a good few minutes until the kitten looked at him for a bit too long for his liking so he hissed and jumped off and went downstairs. I feel much better about it today :-) I gave him another cuddle and kiss, as well as the other older one, before letting them out for the day! I will let you know how I get on with the "treats"! Thanks again x

[morgaine300]

When cats sleep with you, the bed becomes very territorial. So I think that's pretty cool they let the kitten into the bed. :-)

[Nicolehubb]

Just thought I would let you know that they seem to be getting better. The cat who attacked my boyfriend still hisses, but actually stays in the same room as the kitten for periods now and can walk past him without hissing, so this is good and the other cat actually plays with the kitten now :-) x

[morgaine300]

Progress. :-) They'll get there. Just don't get freaked if they seem to "back track" sometimes.