We've just introduced a male kitten, around 4 months, to our six year old female calico. Things seem to be going well -- there has been no fighting at all, and they are presently sleeping at opposite ends of the bed. The kitten really likes following the older cat around, which she clearly finds annoying. She's not ready for direct contact, and hisses or growls when he gets too near. She has always been an aggressive cat with people, but she tends to back down or avoid confrontation with the kitten. I expected her to give a swat or two to establish who's boss, but she's been quite passive. I think the kitten is just playing, and is not intentionally trying to conquer the territory, but that's what he seems to be doing. Do we intervene? How? Or just figure they'll work it out on their own? And how do we keep the kitten out of the big cat's food?
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Pesky kitten
Replies (3)
From what you describe, I don't think you need to worry about the older cat and the kitten. She may be annoyed, but if she were really upset, you and the kitten would know about it. She may actually wind up being the non-dominant cat. Unless you are fearful for either cat's safety you should not interfer. They really need to work things out on their own.
As far as the food is concerned, you will not be able to keep the kitten out of the older cat's food. The only answer is to feed the older cat in a closed off room at a specified time and then to pick up the food until the next feeding time. Although the kitten food is recommended for young cats, if you are feeding a good high-quality food to the older cat, it is not going to hurt the little one to get into it. Usually the reverse is the problem since kitten food is generally more attractive than adult food. The adult cat will tend to eat the kitten food which is really too high-calorie for most of them! I just got done with a feeding stint for my neighbor's cats - one ate kitten food and one ate adult food. They would constantly switch bowls...go figure!
Good luck with your blended family!
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I agree with Madame Alto. Unless one cat is in danger of getting hurt, I wouldn't interfere. Over time the two cats are going to develop a complex set of rules, and you're not going to be involved in that decision making. Might as well let them learn to work out their differences and start setting the new rules now.
As for the food, it's a general rule of thumb that every cat wants what's in the other's food bowl. Feeding them in separate rooms with a closed door between them is the only real way to keep them out of each other's bowl. However, speak to your vet about it. Depending on your cats' health status and nutritional requirements, you may be able to let them eat from each other's bowl occasionally, or possibly even serve them a mixture of kitten and adult food so that they have the same dinner in their bowls. It's doubtful that a vet would approve this for a 4-month-old kitten, but maybe you'll be able to do it sooner than you might think. Only a vet who is familiar with both cats will be able to give the OK on this, however.
New kittens are just like new siblings. It's part of their job to be the curious and pesky little one always testing the older cat. Sounds like your kitties are simply following the rule book. 
Have fun with them!
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PHCurious
Cat Chat Host
I agree that everything sounds like it's going just as it should with your introductions. Don't hesitate to give your calico some private time without the new guy around if she seems stressed or particularly ticked-off. Either put her or the kitten up in a room with a litterbox and water for an hour or two if needed.
And you usually can't keep cats out of each other's dishes...especially a mischeivious kitten! They need to eat separately. My adult cats eat in the kitchen out of individual dishes. My new kitten eats in a large crate I have in my bedroom that I originally used as a way to introduce him to the others. It's working really well for feeding though, because he's still young enough that if he wants food, I simply open the closed crate door and let him in to snack whenever he acts interested. It keeps the dogs and other cat people from Hoover-ing up the kitten food and keeps him out of their dishes at dinner times.
