Well, I'm hoping you seasoned cat owners here can help me. I've always had cats in my life, but this is the first time with my own cat.
Due to circumstances in the apartment I live in, with the management deciding to no longer allow pets, I had to move my adorable 4 month old male kitten Milo to my incredibly supportive boyfriends house. This is only temporary, as I will be graduating from college soon, and then I can find a new apartment place that will accept pets. However, that's beside the point.
Thus Milo, who is incredibly attention-loving and playful, moved in with an older cat (Bonnie). We took steps to introduce them slowly and it seemed to go successfully. They play together, and can sleep and move around the house without upsetting one another. Now all of a sudden, it's changed.
He has been living there for about 3 weeks now, and now is showing worrying aggression problems. He has alway been a hand attacker, but I've been redirecting him to a toy I call Mr. Sheeps. Now whenever Bonnie wants attention, or even just with petting Milo, he is very likely to attack both hands and face. Bonnie also plays with him less, and it seems he is being far too aggressive in their play.
This is a very recent development, like only happening in the past few days. My boyfriend was very worried, because he didn't want my own cat being hurt, but at the same time, doesn't want to encourage bad behavior. I told him to talk to a vet, because he's going to go get his rabies vaccine soon, and also to put Milo into a separate room (with his litter box, water, and food) so that he can calm down and realize that he was acting poorly. I read somewhere that by not rewarding the cat with playing or attention would be best.
I am very worried for my kitten. He has always been very playful, but also loving, so I hope it's not something awful that is making him act like this. What can I do to modify his behavior? Is there anything I should or should not do? I would hate for something to happen between the two cats, or for Milo to injure someone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Due to circumstances in the apartment I live in, with the management deciding to no longer allow pets, I had to move my adorable 4 month old male kitten Milo to my incredibly supportive boyfriends house. This is only temporary, as I will be graduating from college soon, and then I can find a new apartment place that will accept pets. However, that's beside the point.
Thus Milo, who is incredibly attention-loving and playful, moved in with an older cat (Bonnie). We took steps to introduce them slowly and it seemed to go successfully. They play together, and can sleep and move around the house without upsetting one another. Now all of a sudden, it's changed.
He has been living there for about 3 weeks now, and now is showing worrying aggression problems. He has alway been a hand attacker, but I've been redirecting him to a toy I call Mr. Sheeps. Now whenever Bonnie wants attention, or even just with petting Milo, he is very likely to attack both hands and face. Bonnie also plays with him less, and it seems he is being far too aggressive in their play.
This is a very recent development, like only happening in the past few days. My boyfriend was very worried, because he didn't want my own cat being hurt, but at the same time, doesn't want to encourage bad behavior. I told him to talk to a vet, because he's going to go get his rabies vaccine soon, and also to put Milo into a separate room (with his litter box, water, and food) so that he can calm down and realize that he was acting poorly. I read somewhere that by not rewarding the cat with playing or attention would be best.
I am very worried for my kitten. He has always been very playful, but also loving, so I hope it's not something awful that is making him act like this. What can I do to modify his behavior? Is there anything I should or should not do? I would hate for something to happen between the two cats, or for Milo to injure someone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
