Older cats can be trickier to handle than their younger counterparts.
They’re also more likely to experience behavior problems. When one of these things happens, it’s essential to understand how it affects your cat and your behavior.
So, why is older cat attacking new kitten? A popular misconception concerning older cats is that they’re calmer than their younger counterparts.
However, that’s often not truly the case. In fact, older cats become disoriented easily and begin to act out if they’re not given lots of attention and care.
So, as your cat ages, its behavior is likely to become more unpredictable and erratic.
These problems are exacerbated by other health issues that can afflict older cats such as arthritis and blindness, and can lead to them lashing out at anyone they perceive as a threat or trying to impose their will on others.
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Is It Normal For Older Cat To Hiss At New Kitten?
Greeting a new kitten can be exciting for your older cat.
Your older cat will be territorial and insist the kitten stays away.
While the new cat and the older cat adjust together, it’s possible that one or both of them will hiss.
When Will Your Cat Stop Hissing At Your New Kitten?
Once your cat realizes that there is no threat in your presence, it should stop hiss.
Gender
A group of researchers has concluded that neutered male cats can exhibit aggression toward humans or cats they don’t know.
These male cats have been observed to harm their owners or to injure other animals such as pets. Neutering or Chasing Some studies have concluded that neutering or spaying a cat can reduce its tendency to exhibit aggression toward people or other animals.
However, other researchers insist that the opposite is actually true — that neutered males can become more aggressive in their relationships than their unaltered counterparts.
Age Gap
Sniffing time is a time when a cat will paw or dig at an area to determine if it is safe for him or his owner to investigate.
Older cats usually tolerate younger cats with better results than younger cats do with older cats, but that is not always the case.
They see younger cats as more significant challenges to their established positions in the community and bring on more hissing from an older cat.
They Consider Them As A potential Threat
A cat’s territory is their castle, and they tend to protect their domains from intruders.
If another cat intrudes on their space, they may hiss at or even attack the intruder.
What Do You Do If Your Cat Doesn’t Like Your New Kitten?
It’s not uncommon for a cat to dislike a new kitten in her home.
Cats that have lived with you for a while usually are not easily affected by a new family member moving in.
The Friendship Will Be Determined By Time
Your cat never has to know you’re feeling upset and he will never know how you really feel about the friendship.
You ve provided their basic needs of food, water, shelter and love, and your cat trusts you, so he should accept you taking him to the vet for an exam and shots.
However, you can’t just choose how your cat acts toward you.
For it, they must go through the same process other cats do in learning how to live in a relationship with humans.
As time passes, they will notice that you treat the kitten kindly and begin to accept it as a part of your family.
Equal Time Devotion
If your cats are secure, loved, and stimulated, there should be no reason for them not to become friends.
Your cats are living creatures and they need your attention and companionship as much as anyone else in the family.
Being loved removes their anxieties and fears in regards to being with humans.
Don’t Threaten Them
Suppressing their needs and forcing them to interact with you by yelling at them is not a good way to make them accept a new cat into their home.
This will only lead to increased stress for your cat and attempt to make him afraid of you.
How Do You Bond Your Cat With New Kitten?
You can take the necessary steps to help your older cat become friends with your new kitten by giving him plenty of attention to normalize his perspective on living with another cat again.
Until you become friends with them, neither of you will have any real sense of security or happiness about the relationship.
By playing with your kitty and giving him plenty of attention, you can lessen his anxieties around this new kitten and help him realize that it is not something to be afraid of.
How Do You Get Your Older Cat to Stop Attacking the Kitten?
If your cat is attacking your kitten because of age or illness, then you can take steps to reduce its destructive behaviors.
First, make sure it’s eating regularly and getting plenty of exercise.
Next, make sure it’s litter trained and that it’s using a litter box correctly.
Finally, gather its food in storage containers and keep its water nearby at all times.
Smart pet parents understand that the best way to deal with cat behavior problems is to treat the root of the problem and are committed to keeping their pets happy and healthy in old age and beyond.
Also Read: Why Does My Cat Smell My Eyes?
Conclusion
Although older cats can be more challenging to handle than their younger counterparts, they still need lots of love and attention.
Always provide your older cat with affection and plenty of healthy play time. It’s also a good idea to provide them with soft bedding and hiding spots to avoid startling them when you’re trying to feed them or give them medications.
Always seek veterinary care if you notice that your cat’s behavior has changed drastically or if you notice any physical changes that could be indicative of health issues.
With proper care and extra attention, your old cat can continue to grow old gracefully and can be a source of joy and companionship for you and your family for many years to come!
