11 Week/6 Month Kitten Aggression

I adopted Milo, who is now 11 weeks old, to be a companion to my 6 month old kitten, Teddy. I've had Milo for about 2 weeks now and I have kept him in a separate bedroom because he had an URI and to slowly introduce them. They have been playing with each other under the door so I thought Teddy would be fine with Milo. The other day I let Milo out of his room to roam the house. The two play very aggressively with each other. Teddy is twice the size of Milo and plays really rough. I had hand raised him since 3 weeks old so I know he doesn't know his own strength. I used to let him play with my friend's 3 year old cat, Molly, and they were great friends. They used to wrestle, but Molly was very gentle and was aware of Teddy's small size. Now Teddy is a terror with Milo. He jumps on him and pins him to the ground.

However, Milo is no angel. When he manages to break free, he'll run away for a second and then come back to play with Teddy. I know they're probably trying to establish dominance, but the fighting is so non stop that I'm afraid that Milo is going to get hurt. If they are not separated, they will fight until they are. Also, now that Milo knows what it's like to run free, he cries and scratches at the door when I try to put him back in the spare bedroom. (They are never left together when no one is home or at night when I'm sleeping)

I feel so torn between them. I can only spend time with them individually and I feel guilty when I'm not with the other one. Does anyone have any insight? I was thinking about getting Feliway to help calm down Teddy. I've heard it suggested to others, but I never have used it personally. Do you think it would make a difference?

Here are a few questions first.

Do you keep their claws clipped?
Has either of them actually gotten hurt? Any bleeding?

OK. Now - the "play" or aggression:

Does either one of them lay their ears flat?
Does either one of them get that ridge of hair on the back?
Are tails mostly up, up or back and waving around - or down and twitching?
From the one that initiates the pounce - is there growling prior to the jump?

It could be, as you suspect, a combination of play and establishing dominance.

If ears are not flat, if backs are not ridged, or if the tail is not down, and no one has actually gotten hurt, I'd let them work it out. They're going to have to at some point. And if they're tussling and begin serious growling and it looks like one of them is trying to get away but can't, have a can of coins ready. Take an empty can, toss some coins in it, and rattle it loudly and sharply. The noise will scare them apart. Don't physically separate them.

Have you tried distracting them with an interactive wand toy? Maybe next time, rattle that can, and get a wand toy going with Teddy.

In the meantime, I would get Feliway. It often helps, though there's no guarantee. It is a synthetic hormone that mimics the friendly markers in cats' cheeks, and it's worth a shot. Just don't spray it near scratching posts or litter boxes. And make sure you've got at least three litter boxes. That may help.

I'd give each of them a LOT of alone time play. That'll help burn up some of that energy.

I'd also rub each of them with a towel, and in the morning and evening put treats down for each of them on the towels. Put treats down for Teddy on the towel that smells like Milo, and put treats down for Milo on the towel that smells like Teddy. This will help them - over time - associate each other with good things.

I'd give Teddy some extra love and attention, and I'd make sure Milo gets lots of play to help burn up some of that kitten energy.

Laurie

Do you keep their claws clipped?
... Yes.
Has either of them actually gotten hurt? Any bleeding?
...Nope, thankfully.

OK. Now - the "play" or aggression:

Does either one of them lay their ears flat?
... I think they did initially, but they don't seem to now.
Does either one of them get that ridge of hair on the back?
... Sometimes Milo will.
Are tails mostly up, up or back and waving around - or down and twitching?
... Mostly up, up or back and waving around
From the one that initiates the pounce - is there growling prior to the jump?
... Sometimes Milo will make a little groaning noise.

I have tried playing with the wand... it'll work for a minute, and then they'll go after each other. I also have a water bottle that I squirt them with if it gets too out of hand. Teddy, however, loves water and usually isn't phased by it.

I guess since Molly and Teddy were such good friends... (He would rub up against her and she would lick him)... I thought that Teddy would accept Milo a lot easier. I just hope they start liking each other soon, my dream is to be able to cuddle with both of them at the same time.

It sounds to me like they are doing fine together. I would start leaving them together longer and longer. Leave them out for a short period of time and leave the house. Keep trying things like that until you are comfortable and confident that they can be out together all of the time.

Quick question - is Teddy already neutered? If so, good. If not, you need to get that done to prevent the possiblity of him getting more rough with his play from "kitty hormones" so to speak.

All of the above concerns are valid, as well as the basic introduction steps you have been exercising. One basic recommendation is it is best to introduce a kitten to another of one close to age and before 4-5 months, then after 1.5-2 years old.

Originally Posted by laureen227

sounds pretty normal, to me...

Click to expand...

Feel the same way.

Both Teddy and Milo are neutered.

I'm glad it's relatively normal. My biggest fear is that they won't get along. I've never had two cats at once... my other cat Jazz had to be an only cat. He was very territorial and protective of me.... so this is a new experience for me.

I've noticed that it's mostly Milo that hisses and does that Reer! meow. I guess that's how he's compensating for his size? But as soon as he gets away he turns around and runs after Teddy. It's actually pretty funny when the the little one gets the upper hand.

I agree with everyone else who said that this sounds normal, and that you shouldn't be overly concerned. The fact that Milo repeatedly comes back for more, despite his size disadvantage, leads me to believe that there is no hostility between the two. If one was always running and hiding, or if their battles were consistently one-sided, it might be a different story.