Older cat meets our New Kitten

Hi,

I just read the article in BEHAVIOR about introducing a new cat to an established cat, and will follow the advice there.

I'm just curious though...We brought a new kitten home yesterday, and our 3-year old male hisses at this little thing, and acts completely terrified of it. Why on earth are adult cats so afraid of kittens? It seems this behavior is almost inevitable when an adult cat meets a kitten???

Thanks

Originally Posted by metrov

Hi,

I just read the article in BEHAVIOR about introducing a new cat to an established cat, and will follow the advice there.

I'm just curious though...We brought a new kitten home yesterday, and our 3-year old male hisses at this little thing, and acts completely terrified of it. Why on earth are adult cats so afraid of kittens? It seems this behavior is almost inevitable when an adult cat meets a kitten???

Thanks

Click to expand...

Doesn't matter how old or young the new cat/kitten is....this little one is on your cat's territory. Hissing let's the little one know..."this is my space". Since this little one is not leaving...your cat is simply retreating to find his own space away from the kitten. That is why it is critical with any introduction to take it slow. Make sure when you come home to greet your existing cat first so he doesn't feel that you are displacing him.

Katie

Thanks, Katie. We'll take it slow.

Don't know the answer to your question, but I've noticed the same thing with my cats. They have no problem trouncing an older intruder, but they (including my most fearsome hunters)will hiss & run from kittens. Once, a stray kitten came thru the cat door & all my adult cats were terrified of her - she'd approach their food dishes & they'd scram. I placed her with my dad because my other cats were threatening to leave. Please keep us posted on how your two are doing!

Originally Posted by metrov

Hi,

I just read the article in BEHAVIOR about introducing a new cat to an established cat, and will follow the advice there.

I'm just curious though...We brought a new kitten home yesterday, and our 3-year old male hisses at this little thing, and acts completely terrified of it. Why on earth are adult cats so afraid of kittens? It seems this behavior is almost inevitable when an adult cat meets a kitten???

Thanks

Click to expand...