Dominant Female Cat over Kitten
by Dina
(Northampton, Pa)
QUESTION
My daughter found a female kitten (we think it's a female) approximately 8 weeks old. She has a 9 year old nutered male & a 6 year old spayed female. No problems with the male accepting the kitten but the female, Becca, is too aggressive and dominant towards this kitten. I had Becca staying @ my house temporarily a few years ago & she had agression issues then with my spade female Zoey. Having many cats myself I know that kittens are usually accepted easier by the other cats. I had thought Becca's agression was because of being @ a strange house, but now I am beginning to think otherwise. Normally she is the most laid back kitty I have ever seen & never thought of her as being an "Alpha" or "Dominant" female. Becca will "stare" or "Pin" the kitten down to keep it in one area. When the kitten ventures out of the room or starts to play w/anything, Becca will chase the kitten down until it is intimidated enough to go hide. There have been a few times, not many, that they have come nose to nose without a problem. My daughter kept the kitten in another room for about a day when she 1st found it, she only has a 1 bedroom apartment so it's rather hard to give everyone their own room. She has brushed all of them with the same brush transferring the smells to each other, what else can she do. This poor kitten was terrified when she found her & she is even more scared now.
Please help a thrown away kitten survive in her new home.
Dear Dina,
This is unusual. It is usually very easy to get any cat to accept a young kitten.
I think time will take care of this. Also, as you may have heard me say hundreds of times in other answers, SO MUCH of what happens with a cat or between two cats is how the human reacts to them. When the older cat intimidates the kitten, do not yell, throw, startle, or even act worried or annoyed. Talk to her in a silly, baby-like, comforting voice saying something like "You silly girl, that kitten isn't going to hurt you." And give the older cat attention at that point, NOT THE KITTEN.
Don't keep them separated anymore than you absolutely have to. Have two people and both cats in one room so each person can play, pet, brush, feed, etc. each cat at the same time. This allows them to have enjoyable experiences in each other's presence.
Becca's "aggression" is really fear. She is the one that needs the most attention, not the kitten. Pay lots of extra attention to her and don't let her see you making such a fuss over the kitten.
Continue rubbing them down with the same cloth and all the other good things you're doing. When she is near the kitten and isn't acting aggressive, praise her, praise her, praise her!! Most of all, don't overreact when things don't go so smoothly and also have patience. It may take a little time, but they will be buddies soon.
Thank you for writing,
Dr. Neely
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