I need serious help....

[ashley]

I just got a new kitten......however, my older cat (about 3 years) does not seem to approve of the new arrival. She is an indoor/outdoor cat, and since we've gotten the kitten (Nikki), our older cat (Whistle) hardly ever comes in, and when she does, she hisses at everyone and bites and scratches us. Nikki just looks at her, it doesn't bother the kitten a bit. But I feel badly that we are causing Whistle (who we hand-raised because she was orphaned) any discomfort. But my parents said that we are going have to give the kitten to someone else, and I can't bear that. She had been riding around in the spare tire under one of our friend's trucks, and she jumped out at our house. She was tiny and thin and terrified, and I spent 2 hours in the pouring rain trying to get her out of the woods. She's just the sweetest little thing I can't bear the thought of losing her now. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can socialize the two? PLease help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Traci]

Well it's not helping that you allow Whistle outdoors (or Nikki)....you need to acclimate them both strictly indoors.

The reason Whistle is acting agressive is because she is an indoor/outdoor kitty. She has territorial issues both inside and out.

[Marauder]

I agree. Keep the cats indoors. They will be forced to socialize. All 3 of my cats are indoor only and all arrived at different times. Their was a bit of hissing and spitting at first but after a week or two they learned to tolerate each other. I would just try to reassure the first cat that everything is OK that this new cat is an addition and not a replaement. Just give whistle some extra TLC and hopefully things will work out.

Be sure to give whistle a "safe spot" to get away from the kitten from time to time. Kittens love to wrestle and have unlimited energy and can easily overwhelm an older cat if it has no place to rest and relax.

Howie

[ashley]

It seems that the Whistle/Nikki situation isn't getting any better. We have not been able to keep Whistle indoors, and really have no wish to, because both she and us are happier with her being indoor/outdoor. Whistle has "attacked" Nikki a couple of times now, nothing serious, just a quick smack and a growl. They've been getting along, if you can call it that, slightly better recently, but they are nowhere near liking each other. They just stare each other down and occassionaly Whistle will growl, but usually Whistle just leaves the room when Nikki is around. But Whistle is getting excessively aggressive towards us now, and that really has me worried. We can't hardly touch Whistle without her laying her ears back and growling at us, and sometimes biting or scratching us. Why is she getting so aggressive towards us? PLease help!!!!!!!! Thanks.
Ashley

[jason]

We can't hardly touch Whistle without her laying her ears back and growling at us, and sometimes biting or scratching us. Why is she getting so aggressive towards us?

i had a similar issue with my two, the resident female (java) eventually was not only growling at the new guy (rocky) but even somewhat to me, heh..she actually snapped at me once (never before, never again).

i began spending alot more time with her when he was in his closed off area....making her feel like the new addition was not taking anything away...also to better deassociate rocky's presence from myself as her caregiver.

i think she made the association since i was trying hard to make the new home for him pleasant....so, when things got dicy, rocky was the one who got "put away" for a while....even if java was the problem. this was only initial, once java got the clue i was on both of their sides (about two weeks of this) she got some time outs of her own.

the process of socailization and introductions is never perfect unless two cats are placed together who are both really good at it. just keep on giving it time and patience.

what is the time frame here (how long ago did Nikki enter)?

[ashley]

It's been about three weeks since we got Nikki. But let me elaborate, I see that I did not explain Whistle too clearly. She has never been an affectionate cat. She's not what anyone would consider a "lap cat". When SHE feels like a little TLC, it's fine if you rub her (although then it still isn't for long, just until she gets tired of it). But if YOU feel like rubbing her and SHE doesn't feel like it, then it isn't gonna happen. She is extremely tempermental, and we've all gotten used to it. (After all, we've had her for three years). The only time that she was ever sweet and loving was when she was pregnant and when she was nursing. I guess you could say that she is "aloof". I've always wanted a lap kitty too, and I hope that Nikki will turn out to be one. Also, the other day we had to put Nikki in my room and shut the door so that we could eat (she literally jumps into your plate; she goes nuts over food), and she started mewing and crying pitifully. Well, Whistle was in the house, and when she heard it she went to the closed door and started to "talk" to Nikki like she used to do with her kittens, but when we opened the door she just hissed and ran away. I always felt bad because my parents made me give away both of her litters (3 kittens each), but that just broke my heart.
Ashley

[jason]

She has never been an affectionate cat. She's not what anyone would consider a "lap cat". When SHE feels like a little TLC, it's fine if you rub her (although then it still isn't for long, just until she gets tired of it).

almost exactly like my resident cat java...same way.

Also, the other day we had to put Nikki in my room and shut the door so that we could eat (she literally jumps into your plate; she goes nuts over food), and she started mewing and crying pitifully. Well, Whistle was in the house, and when she heard it she went to the closed door and started to "talk" to Nikki like she used to do with her kittens, but when we opened the door she just hissed and ran away.

this is very typical, its a process ashley and it needs time to completely fold out. again, what is the time frame here.

I always felt bad because my parents made me give away both of her litters (3 kittens each), but that just broke my heart.

im sure it did, sorry to hear that.

Nikki needs to adjust to your house rules and Whistle needs to simply accept and eventually love Nikki begin in her domain, this has to take time to work.

seems like ive been posting alot lately about introductions...guess i will make a page on it.

[ashley]

It's been a long time since the last time Whistle was pregnant. I'm not sure exactly how long, but I'm guessing that it was a year and a couple of months (we gave away her last litter last summer). Another question I wanted to ask: When Whistle does "attack" Nikki, Nikki just flips over on her back instantly and then eventually starts to back up slowly. Why doesn't she defend herself? Ash

[jason]

ashley, how long has Nikki been in the house now?

[ashley]

about three weeks