Cat and new kitten help

Prudent

I am looking for a bit of help with a complicated situation.

My dd has a young cat who is ten months old. Since she got him as a small kitten he has spent his time between her flat and my house. He comes to my house around 3 times a week (sometimes staying at a weekend or if she goes on holiday). The cat is quite relaxed about the arrangement and goes back and forward in a cat carrier in the car (1 mile journey) with no bother. The cat has always strongly wanted to go outside but didn't get out without supervision until about a month ago. A local elderly cat has befriended him and they often spend time together. He also mixes with other local cats. The cat has no outside access at my daughter's flat as she lives on a busy road. He gets restless as he is very energetic and it is a small flat.

I got a female kitten about three weeks ago and tried to the usual introductions such as scent, room swaps etc. The kitten is quite relaxed about my daughter's cat. However he is very aggressive not just towards the kitten but also towards us once he has even just caught a glimpse of the kitten. Today he tried to bar me form the kitchen hissing and growling and then went out and attacked a small female cat that lives across the road. I also got scratched when doing up his travel basket to take him home. I have kept the house the same for him e.g. his food, blankets, toys in the same place and am careful to treat him the same. If I bring the kitten out of the bedroom, I now keep her in my arms and make sure the other cat has an escape route and somewhere higher to go.

Any ideas please?

SensibleSarah

He sounds like one very stressed cat
Have you tried feliway plug ins?

Prudent

I haven't tried a feliway thank you. I think he is stressed. He is a lovely boy and this all most out of character. I just want to find a way of making it better for him.

GwylimT

Cats are not social creatures and mainly don't enjoy the company of others cats unless their is an advantage, eg sharing prey.

Cats become very territorial when they have to share what they perceive to be limited resources. Such as food, space and litter trays.

Personally I would be limiting the kitten to one room that the older kitten cannot access, for at least ten days. I would then start slowly scent exchaning for around two weeks before any physical introduction was attempted.

I would put the older kitten on zyklene, I would use the feliway friends rather than the feliway classic.

Has the female kitten been neutered yet?

Pollycat

Prudent wrote: »

I am looking for a bit of help with a complicated situation.

My dd has a young cat who is ten months old. Since she got him as a small kitten he has spent his time between her flat and my house. He comes to my house around 3 times a week (sometimes staying at a weekend or if she goes on holiday). The cat is quite relaxed about the arrangement and goes back and forward in a cat carrier in the car (1 mile journey) with no bother. The cat has always strongly wanted to go outside but didn't get out without supervision until about a month ago. A local elderly cat has befriended him and they often spend time together. He also mixes with other local cats. The cat has no outside access at my daughter's flat as she lives on a busy road. He gets restless as he is very energetic and it is a small flat.

I got a female kitten about three weeks ago and tried to the usual introductions such as scent, room swaps etc. The kitten is quite relaxed about my daughter's cat. However he is very aggressive not just towards the kitten but also towards us once he has even just caught a glimpse of the kitten. Today he tried to bar me form the kitchen hissing and growling and then went out and attacked a small female cat that lives across the road. I also got scratched when doing up his travel basket to take him home. I have kept the house the same for him e.g. his food, blankets, toys in the same place and am careful to treat him the same. If I bring the kitten out of the bedroom, I now keep her in my arms and make sure the other cat has an escape route and somewhere higher to go.

Any ideas please?

But in his eyes, the house isn't the same for him, everything has changed.

You've introduced another cat into his space.

I agree he sounds stressed, who knows whether he'll gradually accept your new kitten.
I'd try Feliway.

missbiggles1

Has your daughter's cat been neutered?

TBagpuss

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/introducing-cats has some good advice

However, another issue is whether it is necessary for your daughter's cat to visit so often? Part of the problem may be that to him,the inside of your house is his territory, but he isn't there most of the time to come to terms with the new kitten.

It may be much simpler and less stressful all round if he simply stays at your daughter's home and that if she is away, you go there to feed and play with him.

your daughter could look at getting him a wider range of toys etc (did you know you can get wheels for cats, like giant hamster whhls?) and spend more time actively playing with him so he doesn't get bored.
She could also take him out on a lead so he gets some outdoor time.

She might find it useful to look at American sites for suggestions - it's much more common there to have indoor-only cats so there are lots of tips and sggestions for ways to provide a cat with a rich and enjoyable environment indoors, and how to get one used to a harness and lead so you can take him out.

Prudent

Thank you everyone

My daughter's cat is neutered and my kitten will be neutered when she is five months old.

I do need to have my daughter's cat here. She has a long term illness which means I often have to look after him quite often because either she is too unwell or is in hospital. The cat gets bored quickly in the flat despite a good range of toys and activities centres. DD can't work, so the cat gets a lot of attention. It also gives the cat access to more space (a house versus a small flat) and the outside which he loves. I will try the Feliway friends. I have just seen the bit about the harness. He is used to a harness, but there are very limited places to take him as the flat is not in a good area.