It’s only been a few days since you brought home the new kitten, but your older cat is already giving her the cold shoulder. Every time the kitten comes near, your cat hisses and swats at her. What’s going on? Why is your cat acting this way? Is she going to get over it? In this blog post, we will explore some of the reasons why cats might react negatively to new kittens in the home, and offer tips on how to help them get along.
Why Do Cats Hiss In The First Place?
Cats hiss to communicate their mood and level of comfort. Usually, a hiss is a sign that a cat is feeling threatened or scared by its surroundings. If a strange person approaches a cat and it begins to hiss, it’s telling the stranger to back away. Cats may also display this vocalization as an effort to ward off a perceived threat such as another animal or person that has gotten too close.
Hissing can also indicate pain when cats are injured or ill. Regardless of the reason, understanding why cats hiss can help us better interact with our furry friends in order to maintain their comfort level in any situation.
Why Is My Cat Hissing at My New Kitten?
Having a new kitten in the house can be an exciting experience, but it can also come with its own set of unique challenges. For cats that are accustomed to being the only pet, the presence of a newcomer, even if they’re another cat, can create uncomfortable stress and lead to unwanted behaviors like hissing.
If your older cat is hissing at your new kitten, you may be wondering what causes this behavior—and more importantly—how to stop it from happening. Read on for three common reasons why your old-timer kitty might be giving their fuzzy successor the cold shoulder and some tips on how you can get them back on friendly terms!
#1 – Territory
Territoriality is a key concept among many animals in the natural world, including cats. A cat’s urge to mark its living space as it own can be seen in the behavior exhibited when a new kitten is brought into the house. The existing cat will usually hiss, swat, and chase away the interloper, making it clear that this territory belongs to it alone.
Even when two cats have been living together peacefully for some time, cat territorial disputes may still arise if a new cat is added – even if that cat is much smaller than the original two. Cats are intuitive creatures and understand their needs for claim of space; recognizing territory as something that should not be violated.
#2 – Hierarchy
A cat’s natural instinct to establish a hierarchy is evidenced in the behavior one cat will have when facing a new cat: the cat will hiss and arch its back in order to show that they are the alpha cat. This hierarchical behavior is rooted in their biological makeup, which helps cats to survive in the wild by preventing chaos among the group while also helping ensure that each cat gets their fair share of food.
Despite this urge to lead, many cats can happily coexist if there is enough space for each cat to make their own territory within the home. Furthermore, kittens who learn good socialization skills early on are better suited for living with other cats.
#3 – Feeling Trapped
If cats feel boxed in when being introduced to a new kitten, their fight or flight system will kick in and if there’s no space for flight, then they could resort to fight. A hiss will indicate that their anxiety about their situation and they want some space from the kitten. When introducing an older cat to a new kitten, make sure the new addition has its own places to hide and explore away from where the other cats are.
Allow them to adjust slowly by giving them their own room or space at first and gradually allow access to more parts of the home as they become comfortable with each other. This will give both cats time to adjust and get used to each other’s presence before they are completely integrated.
What Should I Do If My Cat Starts Hissing At My Kitten?
If your cat starts hissing at your new kitten, it is important to take action to try to help them get along. The first step is to give each pet their own separate space so they can feel secure and safe. Make sure everything they need, such as food and water, is accessible in both spaces. Spend time with each kitten individually, giving them equal attention and affection.
Avoid punishing the cats for hissing; instead, reward positive behavior with treats and extra playtime. Additionally, if either of the cats becomes agitated when they are together, distract them by playing with a toy or introducing a new one that both cats can enjoy. With patience and persistence, you will be able to help encourage a loving relationship between the two animals.
How Long Will My Cat Hiss at My Kitten?
Introducing a new kitten to an established cat can be a tricky process and one of the main reactions you may see is hissing. It is natural for cats to feel threatened by new arrivals, however, it is important not to let them act upon this instinct. How long your cat will continue to hiss at your new arrival depends on how well you manage the transition period and the amount of patience and TLC you are willing to give both animals.
By creating separate spaces for them, providing lots of positive reinforcement when they interact together and keeping them away from things that may trigger negative responses from your feline family, you can slowly introduce them until they eventually become lifelong companions!
How To Stop My Older Cat Hissing At A Kitten?
If you have an older cat and a new kitten in the house, it’s not uncommon for the older cat to be territorial or defensive. While hissing is a normal behavior cats employ when they feel threatened or uncertain, there are several ways to get your cats to eventually become friends. Start by setting up the living space so that the cats each have their own area with food, water, scratching posts, litter boxes and sleeping spaces–ensure they’re far enough apart that neither feels a sense of threat.
Reward both cats equally with treats when they’re together and displaying positive behavior, such as calm body posture. Take things slow at first; you can also place them in separate rooms until they get accustomed to one another. Cat pheromone sprays may help create a calming effect to soothe any potential tension. With patience over time, most cats do eventually co-exist peacefully!
Will Cats Eventually Stop Hissing At Kittens?
Will cats ever stop hissing at kittens? It is a question that has been asked by many pet owners over the years. While some may assume cats will never understand why little kittens show so much curiosity, the truth is that cats and kittens can get along quite happily. Despite some occasional hisses from the elder to younger cat, it generally only serves as a warning to remind them to be more respectful of their senior’s space.
Cats, like any species, can certainly learn to live with one another, especially when they are part of a multi-cat household and there is lots of love and understanding from everyone involved. With patience and time spent together, eventually most cats, no matter the age difference, will recognize each other as peaceful housemates.
Do All Cats Hiss at Kittens?
Most cats appear to be a bit grumpy when they are presented with a new situation or a person, but do all cats hiss at kittens? Contrary to popular belief, not all cats will automatically hiss when meeting a kitten. In fact, most cats actually like being around kittens and naturally become protective over them.
A cat will only vocalize an aggressive response – such as hissing – when they feel threatened by the development of another feline in their space. A cat that is used to living solo might show more hissing behavior than those who have been socialized with other cats in their home. If a cat has grown up with other animals, they tend to be much more friendly towards newborn kittens than those that don’t have prior socialization experience.
How To Get Your Cat Used To A Kitten?
If you’re looking to introduce a kitten into your home that already has an existing cat, then you’ll want to make sure the introduction is done gradually and safely. Start by managing your cat’s access to the new kitten by having them in separate rooms. Offer lots of treats and praise to your cat when they stay away from the new arrival. Over time, allow the two cats to become familiar with each other’s scents by swapping their beds or toys.
When it’s time to actually meet, you’ll want to do so in a safe environment. A quiet room with enough space for both cats and minimal distractions is ideal. Supervise their first few interactions very closely while providing extra rewards like treats and affection if they’re getting along well. With patience and repetition, it shouldn’t be long before both kitties happily accept each other as family!
Conclusion
If you have an older cat and are introducing a new kitten to the home, give them time to adjust. Be patient while they sniff each other out (literally) and find their place in the pack. In most cases, they’ll work it out on their own and become fast friends. But if hissing turns into fighting or you’re just concerned about your cats’ well-being, talk to your vet. They can help you figure out what’s going on and provide tips for getting everyone get along swimmingly.
