Cat’s behaviour towards kitten has changed

[Samandhercat]

Hello!

So I got my kitten (Casper) about 5 months ago, and the vet pegged him at about 8 weeks, making him around 7 months old now. Him and my elderly cat (Charlie) have been slowly but surely getting along. We’ve been using feliway friends, and their relationship has even progressed to allogrooming (Charlie grooming Casper only, not the other way around). There’s nothing wrong with the diffuser, and nothing else in his behaviour has changed, but Charlie has started to get increasingly upset and vocal around him, and the allogrooming has stopped. There’s no indication of fighting or violence, and Casper’s acting like his normal, playful self. Charlie’s also not showing any signs of being ill. Now we are getting Casper neutered on Tuesday, but I’m just wondering what the cause of her sudden behaviour change could be, and if him reaching sexual maturity could be a factor?

Thanks so much!

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Hormones could very well be the issue here. When you get Casper home, use towels or blankets to rub Charlie's scent on him to help with any non-recognition issues that could happen - it might also help with any remaining scent Casper is 'giving off' as his hormones can take a few weeks to dissipate after being neutering.

 

[susanm9006]

It could be hormones but it could also be that Casper is growing up. Cats seem to have a built in instinct not to hurt kittens and will tolerate all kinds of behavior. But as the kitten gets older the adult cat gets less tolerant and you may start to see hisses, slaps and disciplinary behavior. Usually this settles down as the kitten starts to get the message. But it could also be Charlie letting Casper know that they are not and will never be friends.

 

[FeebysOwner]

It could be hormones but it could also be that Charlie is growing up...But it could also be Casper letting Charlie know that they are not and will never be friends.

Rather a grave perspective, don't you think? Besides, you have the names/roles reversed, not that it matters any in the big scheme of things.

Let's hope that Casper (the younger cat) after being neutered stops emitting hormones that Charlie (the older cat) can sense, and that they will once again be friends as they were before Casper started to go through 'puberty'.