Problems with new kitten

[davidberi]

Hi everyone, I'm new here - hope someone can help me

3 Days ago we went and got a companion for our 3 year old male russian blue. She's just a moggie but very cute with a tiger-like pattern. She's fitting in well but the only problem we're having is that she's very playful and our big boy doesn't seem to realise she's only 7 weeks old and is play fighting very hard! I have to separate them at night so I can get sleep otherwise they're running all over the house. The thing is our big one keeps jumping on her and grabbing her around the neck with his teeth and she screeches and I have to pull them apart... then she sees his tail and because he's angry- it's wagging! So she jumps on it and gets the jaws around her head again.

She seems too stupid to realise and just keeps doing it over and over and I just want to separate them for a while but people tell me that's the worst thing you can do. Me and my partner both work fulltime, I only have this week off and I'm worried something's going to happen when I go back to work next week if I haven't sorted it by then... And I don't want to separate them while we're at work. Does anyone know any disciplines or has had a similar problem where the new kitten won't leave the cat alone?

[Chezza]

Hi davidberi, welcome to the forum. I have 2 cats, Jay is the older one and Tiff is the younger, shes not a year old yet and Jay is alot older, when I first got her, he was a rough, kangaroo kicking her when he got hold of her, I just told him off and not to be so rough. The thing is though, she can give as good as she gets, but cries fowl when he pins her lol...
Lucky Im home to keep an eye on them, as he is much bigger and fatter than her with weight to throw around...

Just seperating them while your at work should be ok, maybe put one in the bathroom, or one in a room, make sure the kitten cant hurt herself with anything. She obviously feels comfortable with him or she wouldnt play or want to play. One of them will always be dominate. And her size is not on her side at the moment. So I would seperate them, just while your not "Around" the supervise how rough it gets, if you decide not to seperate, maybe give her a hidey hole to run into to get away. One he cant fit into.
But the best bet is to part them while your not there. IMO.

They will sort themselves out too..

[rcrgal31]

did you separate them when you first brought the kitten home?

[davidberi]

For the best part of a day, yeah. They seem fine together except she can't understand that she's not supposed to keep jumping on his tail otherwise she'll get bitten or something. Are there any ways of letting a kitten know it's doing the wrong thing? The water spray has been tried and failed...

[sunset05]

Hi, welcome to the Board.

I agree, separating them is probably the best thing until the get used to each other. Your kitten may need protection from harm. A slower introduction may be necessary.

Sounds like you kitten is just being a typical kitten wanting to play with anything that moves. Your older cat may be jealous and may not want to share his territory so it will take time to for them to adjust to each other.

Maybe try petting them both with the same towel to mix their scents and putting the towel where your older kitty likes to lay so he gets used to the kittens scent.

Best of luck. It can be hard at first but hopefully in time they will become best friends.

[Mary_NH]

I would also keep them separated when can't be there to supervise. It'll only take a second for the larger cat to kill the baby...even unintentionally.
Think of it as a time out for both of them LOL
When I've fostered kittens I don't let my large male near them unless I'm around...he does easily grab them by the neck and he's so quick it scares me

[vene]

and welcome! I agree with others. Very slow integration and separation as needed would be best. Love to see their pics! How are they doing now?