new problem with behavior,mean kitten/attacking kitten

I had posted a few weeks ago,about Lily having a hard time accepting my new kitten, Zoe. She's starting to accept that Zoe is here to stay, and sometimes tries to play with her. Zoe never leaves her alone. She is constantly attacking Lily. All Lily does is hiss and growl. Zoe is only about 10 weeks old, but she goes so hard at Lily, she will go right for her face. Lily is a big girl, she's 15 lbs but she is so laid back. She's a ragdoll. From what I know from adopting Zoe, she was only about 5/6 weeks old when I got her from the pound,and I believe who ever dropped her off at the pound, had dropped the kittens off around 3 weeks old.So I'm thinking Zoe has had NO training from her Mom. she doesn't know boundaries, and what is too rough. She bites her tail,attacks her face and chases her everywhere. She constantly bites me, and will attack my face also. She's not a fun kitten to be around. And I feel bad for Lily. She's been through so much in the past two months, from losing Callie, to adjusting to life without Callie, to having to adjust to little Zoe around. I just want Lily to feel at peace in her own home, and to be happy, and for Zoe to be a nice kitty. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Hello Stacy!

There are a lot of reasons that the kitten could be acting out and it's kind of hard to even have an idea based on the description.  I have a few questions that would help us understand what your young kitten is becoming stimulated by.

--Is there a particular area in your house that the cat on cat aggression starts?

--How long now since Zoe has been living with you?

--Zoe is showing aggression not only towards Lily, but you as well?  Has this been occurring since you've brought the kitten home? 

--Zoe being as young as she is in comparison to Lily, could it be possible that she's becoming irritated that you nor your other cat can successfully wear her out during play time?

There are a lot of things that can influence bad behavior, and I'll just make a few obvious guesses that might ring a bell for you.  Zoe might be getting emotional issues due to lack of exercise.  You not being sure of her breed could be an indication of that.  You need to have some kind of 'cat-ification' going on to ensure that she can dismiss her excess energy by herself when Lily is tired and you are busy or away.

Also, it could have to do with Zoe trying to assert and maintain dominance over a space.  If she feels like she doesn't have a place of her own, she will attempt to claim one from the older Lily, whom has some bark but little bite.  I doubt that this would be an issue only because the cat is also having discipline issues towards you as well.

Does each cat have their own separate litter boxes?  Two cats sharing a litter box is a big no no, and it will often cause haste between the two cats.  Also, if the spaces for each cats box are even just too relative to the same area, that can cause some territorial issues as well.  Please ensure that the kitties have their own boxes (Lily will most likely claim the one that was there before Zoe), and introduce Zoe to her own- preferably in a different room. 

I really suggest that you be sure to buy food that is formulated for an indoor cat.  It will help regulate the energy level of the cat to an extent.  Just remember, Lily's age difference will make her less playful, and that may irritate Zoe.  Be sure she has lots of things to keep her busy!  I feel like it'll be a relief to both kitties is they both have options of where to nap, what to play with, their own private spaces, and most importantly lots and lots of 1-on-1 time with you.  There should definitely be times where your attention is dedicated to one cat in private, probably everyday even if it's brief.  Mutual interaction is also very important, to bring the cats together with something they both love, YOU.  (playtime and treaties of course!)

It being a jealousy strike is very possible as well.  Lily, having shared you with another cat before isn't going to see it the same as unexperienced Zoe.  Zoe needs to be showed that she can always count on you in and out of Lily's presence.  Zoe also needs to be confident that she's not fighting Lily for space, she's sharing mutual areas with her.  Lily's hissing and growling is probably her backbone.  Zoe may be trying to claim an area that Lily knows everyone tends to co-exist together in, or that she's partially claimed herself in other words.  The fact that your kitty likes to strike at your face states that maybe she is intimidated by something you're doing when you initiate attention to her.  Maybe a tone of voice, quick movement to lift or relocate her, hair obstructing your face, or sometimes it could even be from the cat wanting to see your eyes, and losing clear view after your face is so close to hers.  Try communicating love to her SO often by the 'slow blink' in attempts to calm the kitty before you physically touch her.  This will also give you an indication of how the cat is currently feeling and if she even wants attention at that point in time. 

If she's currently feeling playful, or hunting- she doesn't want to be interrupted.  Once a cat is over-stimulated, if's not easy for them to 'snap out of it'.  They don't really work that way.  If she wants to swat and kick stuff, while you decide to pick her up or initiate your presence with her outside of playtime.. she's probably going to 'in her way' continue her current task, even if it is towards you.

I have a young Calico kitten named Mousa, and she is such a sweetheart.  She loves other animals of all sorts and my communication with her is on point.  She was also a rescue, and had never been exposed to other animals.  I was sure to make her lots of shelving to give her the option of alone-time (even from me if she was in the mood to a nap or a hunt), and her stress levels changed almost instantly.  She has since then been more than happy to have 1-on-1 time with me anytime I call or seek her.  But, she is also a very independent cat.  If she is in 'hunting' mode, she is likely to scratch me if I try to pet or pick her up.  She doesn't necessarily do this on purpose, it's that she's already stimulated and in that mode!  She immediately realizes what she's done, but in her eyes it was wrong for me to have separated her from her current task.  It annoys her and you will notice that she will keep her distance for longer periods of time if I've recently over-crowded her when she wanted her kitty time to herself.  I've met some kitties (often) that will instantly be uncomfortable with the human touch/interaction if the human wasn't given 'permission'.  

Cat's are just so amazing and an obvious sign of allowing permission to you, a little 'plurrrr' they make when you first initiate touch, a soft eye tone when looking up at you (blinking slowly, eyes relaxed completely- tail also relaxed), and some will even roll and expose their bellies! No, that doesn't mean they want a bellyrub most usually (although some cats definitely enjoy them), but is a sign of trust to you by exposing their most sensitive areas! The kitty will soon after flop back to their side and give you the 'ok human, pet me' look.  One way to build trust with a reluctant kitty is lots of chin scratches.  This allows the kitten to lift it's chin enough to expose it's neck, which in nature is the most sensitive area on the body.  Once they become comfortable presenting all of themselves to you with no fear, the kitty will likely be more willing to be affectionate more often! 

Maybe Zoe's 'aggression' towards you is just frustration.  If she's pent up with anxiety, being held and/or relaxed could really set her off.  Just don't give up on her!  I'm sure there is a reason for her behavior and you'll figure it out.  I have faith in you! 

One more thing, It's not uncommon for cats in general to dislike face-to-face contact with their humans.  They are used to spreading their scent by the glands in their cheeks! I've personally never owned a kitty that appreciated it, other than the occasional chin bump I get from them when they're trying to get my attention, or mark me with their scent while being affectionate. Even my sweetheart, Mousa, will immediately pull away if I'd try to kiss and/or bump her with my forehead.  I really hope something here will get you a little closer to finding out more about Zoe's lashing out.  I'm sure that if you work hard enough to identify the signs she's giving off during casual interactions, walk-bys, and playtime involving the other kitty- you'll be able to solve this in no time!

Older cats really can not handle a kitten that young 24-7. I would suggest giving her time away from the kitten. I would not give more than an hour or two of time with the kitten more than 2 to 3 times per day. Especially with how she is. I would also suggest running the kitten's energy down before she gets to play with her adult sister. Feed a meal with the two of them together after playing with the kitten.

You could be right about the kittens manners. She does need to learn boundaries. It is sad that she was at the shelter at that young of an age. I am surprised she was not in foster care.... Kittens around here usually have to be 8+ weeks and 2lbs before they can be adopted. If you can afford it, it would be very beneficial for her to have a kitten play mate. It would also be beneficial to your adult cat cause then she can get some peace and quiet from the little one cause there will be a much funner, more active playmate for her!

Time is what you need, Zoe will outgrow all these kitten behaviors in time. I know it is so very frustrating right now, but she will develop into a beautiful, little girl who has a personality as big as the sky. Think of her as your toddler and know it will pass with time and patience. I'll keep her in my prayers, and you and Lily too, ti is not an easy thing to have a new kitten in your lives, but oh so worth it to your soul.

Thankyou Di and Bob. That is so encouraging. I've been trying to show Lily that she is just as important as she always has been, and been trying to wear Zoe out more. But you're advice is awesome it really gives me hope that she and Lily will be friends once Zoe gets a little older and not so rambunctious