Resident cat showing aggression to a new kitten..

[miccoops]

Hi All,

Hoping for some advice/reassurance. We have an adult male cat (Leo age 6) and 1.5 weeks ago we brought home a new kitten (Pepper 8 weeks). I've taken intros slow, kitten has her own room, did scent swapping etc. I'm doing short play/treat based meetings between them and they eat meals in the same room.

To begin with Leo was hissing A LOT and growling.. he would growl and hiss when entering Peppers room even if she wasn't in there and wouldn't rub up or come near me if I had petted her. He wouldn't come in the living room after she had been in there (even though she was put in her room) This as now stopped, he can be in the same room and I can distract him for a little while with playing and giving treats, or if he is eating.. BUT when he see's Pepper at some point he will march over and hiss right in her face, and is now swatting at her.. he doesn't hurt her and then just turns and runs off.. she's very well natured and just stays still until he stop, never fights back or anything.. and then once he has gone she gets back to playing!

Does it sound like things are going in the right direction? The hissing and growling is definitely better but the swatting/bopping at her isn't great :-(

I've brought 2 feliway friends plugins and some calming drops for Leo.

Thanks!
Michelle

My 2 are sisters who arrived at the same time and 8 years later they only really tolerate eachother, with an occasional hiss

I get what your saying. But if she squeals to let him know what he is doing is hurting and then he stops.....leave them alone.
Obviously if he really hurts her intervene. But the fact she runs straight back to him tells you a lot.....

I almost gave up on mine. Now it's like this ... and we are all - me, resident cat, and kitten - soooooo much happier that we are al together

@maturinsslothe

I almost gave up on mine. Now it's like this ... and we are all - me, resident cat, and kitten - soooooo much happier that we are al together

Ahh that’s so good to hear! My two are really friendly together too and head bop each other all the time. It was worth persisting!

Nice work OP - perseverance pays off!

Black girl cat hates ginger boy cat because he liked to chase her when he first came along - now she likes to be big spoon.

Hated*