Introducing a new male kitten to 2 older males (2 and 9 yrs. old)

krisngeoff

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Hi everyone,
My name is Kristyn and I have recently brought home an 8 week old male kitten from the shelter that I volunteer at. I have two other cats at home, both are also male and their ages are 2 and 9. The oldest cat doesn't seem to be bothered by the kitten, but the 2 year old has a different story. He has been stalking the kitten and watching its every move. At first, we introduced the cats to the kitten and everything seemed fine, so we thought it would be alright if we just let them stay with each other over night snd when we are at aork during the day. Yesterday, the 2 year old cat bit the kitten in the neck and since then, we have been really worried that the cats will never get along and that he was going to hurt the baby. I have read in some articles that this would be considered mating if it were between a male and a female, but they are both males. What should we do???We have been trying to pay much more attention to the 2 year old, but we also play with the kitten as well. Lastnight, my fiance stayed in the guest room with the kitten but he kept him up all night because he was meowing. We really need help here! Thanks for your time.
 

tnr1

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Originally Posted by KrisnGeoff

Hi everyone,
My name is Kristyn and I have recently brought home an 8 week old male kitten from the shelter that I volunteer at. I have two other cats at home, both are also male and their ages are 2 and 9. The oldest cat doesn't seem to be bothered by the kitten, but the 2 year old has a different story. He has been stalking the kitten and watching its every move. At first, we introduced the cats to the kitten and everything seemed fine, so we thought it would be alright if we just let them stay with each other over night snd when we are at aork during the day. Yesterday, the 2 year old cat bit the kitten in the neck and since then, we have been really worried that the cats will never get along and that he was going to hurt the baby. I have read in some articles that this would be considered mating if it were between a male and a female, but they are both males. What should we do???We have been trying to pay much more attention to the 2 year old, but we also play with the kitten as well. Lastnight, my fiance stayed in the guest room with the kitten but he kept him up all night because he was meowing. We really need help here! Thanks for your time.
I'm guessing it was a hard bite?? I know that with kittens..they do sometimes bite each other on the neck as part of play...but if you are worried...I would monitor the interactions.

Katie
 
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krisngeoff

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Originally Posted by TNR1

I'm guessing it was a hard bite?? I know that with kittens..they do sometimes bite each other on the neck as part of play...but if you are worried...I would monitor the interactions.

Katie
Well, the bite was not all that hard, but he has done this several times over the last day and a half. I have been watching them play with each other from the time I got home from work and they seem ok, but the older cat will still bite his neck. I tried the vanilla extract and that seems to be working for now. Should I continue to separate them at night when we go to bed and also when we are both at work?? Thanks again for your reply, I appreciate it!
 

StefanZ

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It like a mating you say? Although the 2-year castrate - I presume?

It is a dominance thing. To show who is strongest and in charge here.

So in a way he is accepting the little one. Lowest in the hierarchy is still inside the gang...

So it is no real danger and you dont need to do much. But of course if you see it is too much you may isolate them when you are at work.

How much you should help the little one? Obviously you should help some - but if the other are not aggressive it is usually better they make up the hierarchy by themselves cat-wise.
So dont overdo the help! I think they are all going/doing fine.
 
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