hope you don't mind my typing my reply to your comment on my website here.. Unfortunately I don't have access to your email :)
Congratulations on your new addition! :)
Kitten on cat behavior is different then kitten on human. "attacking" is often their way of saying "you are so cool!!" unfortunately older kitties often don't like it especially when they aren't used to it.
Separating them out to eat isn't a bad idea. But you do need to help enforce that Skootch is alpha by feeding him first. Hold back the kitten if you need to. Reprimand the kitten (name??) in front of Skootch, and tell him that is OK for him to do it too.
do your best to wear out the kitten as much as possible. draining off that excess energy will help a lot. getting a fishing pole type toy and get him running and jumping and flying through the air will do wonders to his desire to relax and cuddle.
I'm assuming you have vertical space for Skootch. if not getting a nice tall tree for him to sit on and observe the kitten and give him a more defensible position will also help. also those who are up higher are also in the "alpha' position, so that too will help enforce the hierarchy of the household.
chemical help might also ease things. Rescue Remedy, feliway, feliway defusers, bach's flower essences and my new go to "spirit essences' that Jackson Galaxy uses in his show.. can help smooth rough edges. RR is great for those having problems, I often call it liquid courage. I used it with feral kittens before, and used it with my traumatized kitty Eli. Feliway mimics welcoming pheramones that cats rub on things, so it will make things feel more welcoming. flower essences work on emotional issues, you can find those at your local health food store and read over the different remedies and see if any fit your situation. Spirit essences are geared to more to situations but are only online.. spiritessences.com
If things get really stressful, you can talk to your vet for short term pharmacological help.
Hopefully this will be short lived as they learn to adjust and learn each others language and the kitten learns the rules of the household.
i am just excited that i found this blog! too excited to care what's behind the door...oh. no. wait. i do want to know what's behind teh door. tell us! quick!!!
Squeaks??? We were going to ask if you're getting a new kitty sibling, but squeaks? A squeaky toy, maybe? Being played with by a new sibling?
ReplyDeleteWhat is it???? You must investigate!!!
ReplyDeleteHMMMMMMMM!!!! Misterious!
ReplyDeleteWhat!!!??? We need to know!!! It's not daddy squeaking is it??? mol
ReplyDeleteHow exciting!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my Gosh! I am so excited and I have no idea why!!!
ReplyDeleteohhhhh this is gonna be FUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmmmm, a new squeaky toy?
ReplyDeleteI know all about closed doors with noises behind them!
ReplyDeleteSkootch, it seems like that SOMETHING is a new sibling for you! You need to sneak in somehow and give us the news!
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't have to enter the Witness Protection Program.
ReplyDeleteMight it be a bird?? *smirk* I can't wait to find out..
ReplyDeleteOh Skootch! I can't wait to meet your new friend! Purrrs
ReplyDeleteWe can hardly wait to see!!!!
ReplyDeletethumps and squeaks! Oh my goodness! I hope you get to find out soon!
ReplyDeleteSuspense is killing us!!
ReplyDeleteGoldfish?
ReplyDeletehope you don't mind my typing my reply to your comment on my website here.. Unfortunately I don't have access to your email :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new addition! :)
Kitten on cat behavior is different then kitten on human. "attacking" is often their way of saying "you are so cool!!" unfortunately older kitties often don't like it especially when they aren't used to it.
Separating them out to eat isn't a bad idea. But you do need to help enforce that Skootch is alpha by feeding him first. Hold back the kitten if you need to. Reprimand the kitten (name??) in front of Skootch, and tell him that is OK for him to do it too.
do your best to wear out the kitten as much as possible. draining off that excess energy will help a lot. getting a fishing pole type toy and get him running and jumping and flying through the air will do wonders to his desire to relax and cuddle.
I'm assuming you have vertical space for Skootch. if not getting a nice tall tree for him to sit on and observe the kitten and give him a more defensible position will also help. also those who are up higher are also in the "alpha' position, so that too will help enforce the hierarchy of the household.
chemical help might also ease things. Rescue Remedy, feliway, feliway defusers, bach's flower essences and my new go to "spirit essences' that Jackson Galaxy uses in his show.. can help smooth rough edges. RR is great for those having problems, I often call it liquid courage. I used it with feral kittens before, and used it with my traumatized kitty Eli. Feliway mimics welcoming pheramones that cats rub on things, so it will make things feel more welcoming. flower essences work on emotional issues, you can find those at your local health food store and read over the different remedies and see if any fit your situation. Spirit essences are geared to more to situations but are only online.. spiritessences.com
If things get really stressful, you can talk to your vet for short term pharmacological help.
Hopefully this will be short lived as they learn to adjust and learn each others language and the kitten learns the rules of the household.
i am just excited that i found this blog! too excited to care what's behind the door...oh. no. wait. i do want to know what's behind teh door. tell us! quick!!!
ReplyDeleteIs it a squeaky toy? Or a mouse???
ReplyDeleteMe thinks yous has a new furrend! Mes hopes yous gets to meets your new buddy soon. In the meantime, put your toes under the door!
ReplyDeleteKisses
Nellie
Uh oh, you have a new addition. I NOS it, believe me, I NOs when there is a new addition in the house.
ReplyDeleteYou are not going to be happy!!!
Squeaks?? OMC, we're all ears!
ReplyDeleteUh oh, sounds ominous!
ReplyDelete