New Cat Adjusts

[david13]

But old one doesn't, very much. My new kitten has made himself right at home, he runs around like a mad cat; he plays with anything, all the time, particularly his tail. He follows me around. He hides and jumps out at my feet. And basically he torments the old cat by jumping on the old cats tail.
The vet said he weighs 2 pounds. He is growing slowly but has a long way to go.
In the a.m. starting about 5 a.m. he begins to scramble all over me, biting and scratching at whatever point he may stop at. That usually is non stop til I get up.
But he seems to be truly happy about being with us.
The old cat is morose and cautious. He just seems to be very bothered by the presence of the little one.
dc

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Old cats tend to be a little grumpy around new kittens.

It's kind of like the crabby old neighbor yelling at kids to get off his lawn. Eventually he will adjust, in part because as the kitten gets older he'll slow down and stop acting like he needs Ritalin.

[hamsterjill]

2. It takes some time.

Remember to give the "old cat" plenty of special attention and affection to remind him that he was there first and that he still holds that special place in your heart!

[liberalla]

8. Yes definitely. Be really kind and attentive to the older cat -

without the kitten joining in. Reassure and pamper him/her. It's a huge adjustment... one they'd rather not make. Make sure the older cat has his or her own private places (up high and maybe with favorite blanket or something similar that is comforting and familiar) where they can retire for some peace and quiet.

It takes time. Be patient. Good luck.

[david13]

9. He has his towel on my desk, pictured in the last photo under

New Cat. But the kitten sees that as something they are supposed to share. And she will just lay down beside him, which aggravates him to no end, that she would touch him. So he moves out.
Ever so slowly it is getting better.
I have infinite patience with them. They know how to be cats. Better than I do. So I can out with them (kinda) by moving or hiding things. But otherwise I let them do it the way the think they should.
Thanks to all for the advice.
dc

[badgerpup]

3. The senior cat will adjust...eventually.

He may even come to enjoy having a little one to 'bring on' and teach how to be a proper cat.
Don't make a HUGE fuss when you catch him doing this...just treat it as matter-of-fact.

This is going to sound weird...:crazy:
I read somewhere that speaking of the kitten as belonging to the older cat when talking to him-
e.g., "Don't be smacking your Damien so hard...he's just a baby" might help the older cat with adjusting.
"Oh...this is something of MINE. OK, then."

I use the possessive for ALL my cats, younger or older...and they get along quite well for the most part.

At worst, the young 'un will be a counter-irritant and keep your older cat from being bored and lonely when you're not able to be there to cater to him.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. i agree. It may take some time..but it will happen.

I look forward to your pics of the two of them cuddled up together.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. Your description of what your baby does every morning made me think of this..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q

There are several..each one is perfect!!!

[david13]

7. I had seen the Simon's Cat about well, a year ago? But that was

like the older one. Wake me every morning with squawking. He would jump on me if the squawking didn't work.
I think all cats are like that, one way or another.
Yes, the older one is depressed. I'll try picking him up. He used to love to sit in my lap, or sleep there, now he won't stay. Too aggravated, I guess.
dc

[Warpy]

6. The old cat knows he's got a long time of teaching the new cat

some manners and the rules of the house. He's probably not looking forward to it and he might be a little depressed. He needs to be picked up for lap time every single day with the kitten shooed away so he knows it's his time and maybe then he'll perk up.

Expect a lot of hissing and growling when they're sorting out their territories during the day.