Kitten randomly growling and is not as affectionate

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gemmamiso

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Best friends again [emoji]128153[/emoji] Also ignore the horrible sheet on the couch, it's there so they don't scratch it to shreds!
 
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Mamanyt1953

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She's teaching him his manners.  A momma cat would do the same thing to a kitten who was being obnoxious.  If they are napping with their bellies exposed, all is well.  They trust each other, AND you.
 

catlover73

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I agree that the older cat is teaching the baby manners. I remember when my rainbow bridge kitty Tegato was teaching six week old Starbuck manners. Starbuck used to growl at him to. The first time he did this she complained loudly and it scared the heck out of me. I actually separated them. The next time I stayed and supervised. I realized he was not doing anything to hurt and she was complaing about being told "no" when she would chomp on him to ask for playtime. This is a good thing you are seeing.
 

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I have two adult cats and two 10 week old monsters. Cute monsters but monsters none the less. The kits go in their cage at night and for a few hours in the afternoon giving the adult cats back their space and everyone a breather.  The adult cat should have a safe space where the kitten cannot follow. My older cat sounded like a panther ready to disembowel the kits but she never used a paw with claws out.  I kept my vacuum plugged in as it's a sure fire way to clear the room of cats no matter what they're up to. Mostly you just have to suck your teeth and let them work it out. you can also get a large sturdy piece of cardboard to break eyesight if things get overly tense. Never try and use your hands to separate two cats having at it. I have some hiss in a can ( Air for cleaning electronics handy also).
 
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gemmamiso

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Thank you all for responding! Things are going well as far as I know, they mostly ignore each other lol, but they play sometimes. I think they play all night long. The kitten seems to be growling a lot less and they don't seem so tense around each other anymore! :)
 
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gemmamiso

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I'm kind of worried now. They were just laying on my bed together (but not touching) and the kitten was grooming himself and then he either tried to groom her or bite her (I couldn't tell) She looked scared and the he ran away. Is this bad??
 

catlover73

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This is normal behavior. It sounds like someone was sleepy and got startled. If biting was involved you would most likely have heard some noise. My 2 young adult cats get along great and often groom each other. Apollo sometimes grooms Casey while he is asleep and it startles him. He usually runs away. How are they acting now?
 

Mamanyt1953

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Darlin, you are "helicopter parenting" these guys.  I know, and I'm so very glad that you care, but like all siblings, there will be moments when they don't get along, when one just doesn't want to deal with the other, and when they have spats.  That's normal.  Don't make yourself so crazy that you don't have time to enjoy your cats!  All is well...in fact, to quote Julian of Norwich (and I frequently do), "All is well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well."
 
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gemmamiso

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Okay, I think I'm going to try to stop worrying (we'll see how long that lasts) Anyways, thank you all for your replies, you helped so much!  
 
 

Mamanyt1953

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Okay, I think I'm going to try to stop worrying (we'll see how long that lasts) Anyways, thank you all for your replies, you helped so much!  
 
That's what we're here for!  Now that you aren't hyperventilating, spend some time exploring the site!  There's tons of interesting, informative and just fun stuff here, as well as some of the best people I know!
 

iwilltakethem

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I'm so happy to see how dedicated yu are with your cats. But please realize just as we are humans and do things cats dont understand cats will do things we will never get. at the same time the young cat is still at the learning stage and depending on when he was separated from mommy and possible siblings he may not have good social skills with other cats. That's what your mature cat is teaching him. And just like all kids they may not like the lesson they are learning. If either one of your cats were truly uncomfortable at all they would let yu know instantly. Or yu would notice their strange behavior. Also remember your cats will look to you for strength and reassurance even though most people would like you to think they are solitary animals, they arent. Obvious exceptions for each individual animal. Some cats just aren't cat-cats. Some people aren't people-people lol.
Yu are a model owner and its my hope in life that more people would love and respect their pets the way you do.
 
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gemmamiso

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Oh thank you so much!!! I'm gonna spend some time checking out the rest of the forum definitely!
 
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gemmamiso

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Hi again. The two cats are acting okay towards each other, they wrestle and chase each other a lot, which I'm sure is normal, but I'm worried now and need advice. The older cat now has a very squinty/runny/almost shut eye and I can't think of anything that it would be from other than playing with the kitten. He has very sharp nails and we're going to cut them today but I feel terrible for the older cat. She's acting normal and everything but her eye looks horrible. Should we take her to the vet? We're trying to let it heal on it's own for a few days because the vet is so expensive and we've spent so much money there recently. What should I do?? I'm so concerned :e
 

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Please call the vet and tell them about the eye. Hopefully they can prescribe an antibiotic ointment over the phone. You can't wait and see on this one, unfortunately.
 
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gemmamiso

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Okay, I'll call and see. Fingers crossed
 

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I agree, relax! All will be well, might be a really great mantra to try on for a while ;) 

Your anxiety is a factor is this. Cats are very intuitive and may respond to you being stressed. Also, have some faith. These are animals, not humans. They have their own (inexplicable) way of doing things. Some stuff that may look worrisome to you could in fact be a parenting session from the older cat that the kitten doesn't like much.

Unless there is blood and hair flying around, let them work it out in their own sweet time. That means that sometimes they will be all lovey-dovey together, and sometimes can't stand to see each other. To me so far, everything you've written sounds very normal between them. Do they have their own special places (high perches) to retreat to?

Don't forget to play with them daily for at least 15 minutes. This will bond them together more when they 'hunt' in unison. And will also bond the kitten to you. Plus it's fun and relaxing for all of you! Don't make it too easy though for them to catch the 'prey' make them curious and run after it and give them a chance to pounce, cats love that, they wait out their prey and pounce. Have fun :)
 
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gemmamiso

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You're right. I try to play with them for at least 30 minutes a day, which they love. They also have a cat tree but the kitten seems to have taken that over, so I think I'm going to buy another one so they both have somewhere high to sit :)
 

Mamanyt1953

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Excellent idea.  Eah cat should have something that is their own. 

What's the word on the eye?
 
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gemmamiso

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We called the vet and they said to bring her in if it isn't better in two days. Fingers crossed that she's all okay though. Her eye is opening more and the only time it's completely shut is right after she wakes up, so it sounds like it's improving.
 
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