Why is my cat swatting at my new kitten?

Your older cat may have a period of time when it tries to establish a hierarchy with the new kitten. Your older cat may hiss and swat at the kitten when the newcomer does something unfavorable. This is completely normal and as long as it is just hissing and swatting, do your best to not interfere.
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Why does my cat hit my new kitten?

Your older cat tries to attack your kitten whenever given the opportunity because they feel you have restricted yourself only to the new kitten and their time is now divided. Which develop the sense of jealousy in which they end up showing aggression.
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How do I get my cat to stop attacking my new kitten?

Let your cat and kitten interact when they are calm.

Reward your cats with treats if they behave and stay calm when they're together. If your cat starts attacking the kitten again, separate it from the kitten for another 1–2 days before trying to introduce them again.
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Will my cat hurt my new kitten?

A kitten under 16 weeks old is a baby, physically weak, and can easily be hurt by an older cat. So, your primary concern is for protecting the kitten. Do not rush the introduction process. Once things go badly, they often stay bad.
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How long will it take for my cat to accept a new kitten?

It can take several weeks to several months for a cat to get used to a new kitten—and even longer for them to become "friends." Some cats will learn to tolerate a newcomer, but may never be interested in playing or napping together. In other cases, the cat will take to the kitten right away.
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My Cat HATES my New Kitten - Help? How to Introduce Cats!



How do I know if my cat likes my new kitten?

How to tell if your cats get along with each other – six key behaviours to look for.
  1. They head-butt each other. Don't worry, not in an aggressive way! ...
  2. They groom each other. ...
  3. They snooze together. ...
  4. They touch noses. ...
  5. They hang out together. ...
  6. They have a rough and tumble.
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How do you tell if your cat will accept a kitten?

Adult cats will usually accept a new kitten much more easily than they will accept a new adult cat. Cats are territorial, and your cat may resent an adult feline intruder. If you're able to choose from a group of kittens, avoid a kitten that's hissing, growling or engaged in serious battle with his mates.
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Should I let my cat swat my kitten?

Allow Your Cat to Establish a Hierarchy

Your older cat may hiss and swat at the kitten when the newcomer does something unfavorable. This is completely normal and as long as it is just hissing and swatting, do your best to not interfere.
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How do I know if my cat is too rough with a kitten?

Adult cats playing with kittens will wrestle them on to their back, and they will also sometimes bite (not hard) and even lock jaws in simulated fighting but it should not get to a point where either cat is being seriously hurt, frightened screaching, chunks of fur pulled out or blood drawn: at such a level it is very ...
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Are my cat and kitten playing or fighting?

If your cats' bodies are relaxed or their ears are pointed forward, they're likely just playing. If your cats flatten their ears, hold their ears back, or puff up their fur or tails, this is a sign that they're fighting, not playing.
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Why does my older cat bite my kitten's neck?

Neck biting might come out as aggression over toys, food, or attention. This is part of the “showing dominance” side of neck biting. Resources can be claimed by a dominant cat as their territory because they feel like they are protecting their belongings.
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How do I get my cat to stop swatting?

If your cat starts swatting, ignore the behavior by ending the play session and walking away. Distract them with a wand or mouse toy or spread kibble on the floor to engage their mind. Clicker training can also help. A clicker, or device that makes a certain noise or cue, will tell them to stop swatting for a treat.
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How do I get my older cat to accept a kitten?

7 Tips to Introduce a Kitten to an Older Cat
  1. Start to prepare before the kitten arrives. ...
  2. Introduce your cats by smell first. ...
  3. Let them see each other. ...
  4. Support a calm, patient introduction. ...
  5. Give treats. ...
  6. Watch how your pets react. ...
  7. Keep to a schedule to minimise stress.
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How long will older cat hiss at kitten?

Introducing two cats can be difficult without any form of hissing or tension. In most cases, the hissing will only persist for a few weeks. Cats will quickly adapt to their new normal and realize that their new roommate is in fact a friend.
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Should my second cat be male or female?

There isn't hard proof that gender can make a difference in whether your two cats will get along or not. With that said, there is some anecdotal evidence that suggests you may have fewer issues if one cat is male and the other cat is female (rather than two females or two unneutered males).
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How do I get my cat to like my kitten?

How Do I Get My Older Cat To Like My New Kitten?
  1. Keep the new kitten isolated and feed both the older cat and kitten close the door. ...
  2. Prop the door enough that they can see and smell each other. ...
  3. Bring your older cat into the room with the kitten. ...
  4. Increase the time the cats spend together by 5 or so minutes each day.
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How can you tell which cat is dominant?

How to Tell Which Cat is Dominant
  1. A Dominant Cat Might Challenge Another Cat. ...
  2. A Dominant Cat Might Sit on or Mount Another Cat. ...
  3. A Dominant Cat Might Hoard Food or Toys. ...
  4. A Dominant Cat May Spray or Bunt. ...
  5. Territorial Reasons. ...
  6. Lack of Feline Socialization Also Causes Dominance Or Aggression Problems.
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Is my cat depressed because of new kitten?

Your new kitten is probably receiving a lot more love and attention than your old cat is. Sadly your old cat will notice this and they feel the lack of love they're used to. This can further cause depression as your old cat doesn't just feel like it's losing its home – it feels like it's losing you too!
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Do female cats get along better with male or female cats?

In unowned, free-ranging cats, groups of cats tend to comprise related females and their offspring. However, to date, the evidence is inconclusive as to whether the gender of the cat has an influence over its ability to get along with other cats when the cats are neutered.
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Should I let my cats fight it out?

Never let the cats “fight it out.” Cats don't resolve their issues through fighting, and the fighting usually just gets worse. Interrupt aggression with a loud clap of your hands or spray from a water gun. Neuter the cats. Intact males are particularly prone to aggressive behavior.
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How can you tell if a cat is overstimulated?

Signals owners should be aware of include:
  • Restlessness.
  • The cat's tail beginning to twitch.
  • The cat's ears turning back or flicking back and forth.
  • The cat's skin rippling when you pet her.
  • The cat turning or moving her head toward your hand.
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Why is my cat attacking my other cat all of a sudden?

There are many possible reasons why your cat might be attacking your other cat including lack of space, social maturity, a medical issue, or environmental changes. Fortunately, solutions can usually be found that allow the cats to continue to live together and to overcome their aggression.
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What is the meanest breed of cat?

The 11 Most Aggressive Cat Breeds:
  • Bengal.
  • Scottish Fold.
  • Pixie Bob.
  • Egyptian Mau.
  • American Wirehair.
  • Korat.
  • Singapura.
  • Cymric.
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Do cats get jealous of a new kitten?

It may be the arrival of a new family member, such as a newborn baby or pet. Simple things like your cell phone, a video game, or a hobby can also be triggers. Poor socialization as a kitten may lead a cat to become codependent on you and display signs of jealousy at times.
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Why does my older cat bite my younger cat?

Some of the underlying non-medical causes for aggression between cats in the same household include fear, lack of socialisation, inappropriate introduction of a new cat, overcrowding (i.e. not enough vertical or horizontal space, too few resources etc), redirected aggression, play and predation.
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