|
Post by zoe2007 on Sept 3, 2008 13:15:10 GMT
Hey i have got a 1yr old male cat (Taz) and a 6week old male kitten, but taz is unsure what to do, he sits and watches him then he will try to charge the kitten or try to swipe him but i am not sure what would happen if i let him continue this behaviour as i have to stop him as he gets quite rough with him.
Do you think it was a bad idea to have got such a young kitten or is it because he is male?
Also if it was due to his age or sex how could i solve this because i wouldnt want the kitten to get stressed or hurt? and i would still want to get taz a friend.
|
|
|
Post by Chris - Cats Protection on Sept 3, 2008 14:36:29 GMT
Hi Zoe,
At 6 weeks this kitten is still too young to have left its litter mates, hence it will seek out another cat in order for it to learn from it, as it would its litter mates. But, and this is very important, do NOT leave it alone with the older cat, reason being it still smells of its Mothers hormones and milk, and that can induce a tom cat, neutered or not, to try and mount it which it can do by grabbing the skin on the back of its neck, and the kitten being so small can die instantly as a result.
Also, its natural for an older cat to dislike a kitten, as it doesnt see the youngster as a companion, merely a youngster who needs to learn how to survive, hence they can be quite brutal with them.
This is one of the reasons why we keep our kittens till they are 10 weeks of age. At 10 weeks they are quite independent, but at 6 weeks, they have learnt as much as they can from Mum, and now they look to learn from one another.
Ideally you would have been better with a female, as 2 males can have dominance issues later on.
|
|
|
Post by zoe2007 on Sept 4, 2008 8:23:31 GMT
thank you very much for your response in this matter. i would never leave them alone together until i was certain they get on with one another. but if i see no improvement in his behaviour or if it gets worse, what would you suggest doing as i would want to see the kitten (now named leo) go to a very loving home, and also find the right companion for taz (male or female) as my original thought was to get a female around the same age as taz but went against the idea thinking they would fight. thanks, all responses welcomed.
|
|
|
Post by fyona on Sept 4, 2008 9:06:44 GMT
At six weeks as Chris says he is to young to have left his mum, I bet he is tiny, I would just be very patient with them both, and Leo will grow quickly, I have three females together and they get along fine, the only thing I would most certainly do is make sure they are both neutered, keep those male hormones under control, I hope they become friends, its very early days, I hope it works out between them.
|
|
|
Post by zoe2007 on Mar 19, 2009 11:02:15 GMT
With love and patience they are now inseparable they cant be apart now without shouting for one another they just love eachothers company As you will see in the pictures i have just posted
|
|
|
Post by Chris - Cats Protection on Mar 19, 2009 11:21:53 GMT
Its amazing what can be done with dedication..........well done Zoe..
|
|