Hovering Resident Cat

AndyTilt

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We have an 18 month old neutered male cat that we've had since he was 2 months old. We just recently got a 4 month old female. She needs one more shot before she can be spayed, so that hasn't happened yet.

We've started introducing them, and when they're close, they are fine, She'll Sniff him, He'll sniff her, they'll chirrup and he'll start grooming her. The issue arises is when she tries to move away from her "safe space". (it wasn't initially under the bed, but she made the executive decision that she like it under there so we rolled with it). If she moves to far from under the bed, Jack will try to either herd her, chase her, or scruff and try to drag her back under the bed. I stop the third as she doesn't mind the grab, but decides she's too big for the drag and protests.

We're limiting how much time they have together as he's setting back her "i feel comfortable to leave the safe space" progress, but i don't know if this is normal??? Has he just decided that she's his kitten? We'll isolate him and let her roam a bit, which she's been doing tentatively, but she goes back to hiding after being with jack. She still greats him and purrs when he grooms her, but i have no idea what's happening here.
 

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Welcome to The Cat Site! Happy New Year to you and the kitties. Despite the fact that Jack is neutered, he may be responding to the fact that the little girl is not. I have had this happen on occasion when I have rescued a young, unspayed female and brought her into the house. As you describe, the females I rescued were not afraid of the older male and even engaged them, but I would definitely supervise their play to make sure that it does not get too rough. The fact that he is dragging her back under the bed creates, if nothing else, a situation where you now have a nice hidey hole that you will have to continue to deal with. She may also be hiding from Jack, despite her liking of him, as he is playing too rough with her or attempting mating behaviors even if he is fixed.

Another scenario could be that he wants her to stay in her place which is also something you want to extinguish.

This may all resolve itself after she is fixed, but I would watch his behavior when you bring her home from the vet until he stops trying to possibly mount her.
 

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We have an 18 month old neutered male cat that we've had since he was 2 months old. We just recently got a 4 month old female. She needs one more shot before she can be spayed, so that hasn't happened yet.

We've started introducing them, and when they're close, they are fine, She'll Sniff him, He'll sniff her, they'll chirrup and he'll start grooming her. The issue arises is when she tries to move away from her "safe space". (it wasn't initially under the bed, but she made the executive decision that she like it under there so we rolled with it). If she moves to far from under the bed, Jack will try to either herd her, chase her, or scruff and try to drag her back under the bed. I stop the third as she doesn't mind the grab, but decides she's too big for the drag and protests.

We're limiting how much time they have together as he's setting back her "i feel comfortable to leave the safe space" progress, but i don't know if this is normal??? Has he just decided that she's his kitten? We'll isolate him and let her roam a bit, which she's been doing tentatively, but she goes back to hiding after being with jack. She still greats him and purrs when he grooms her, but i have no idea what's happening here.
Hello AndyTilt AndyTilt , Jack and little girl, and welcome to TCS! Fionasmom is right -- he may be responding to her being unspayed. Believe it or not, kittens can get pregnant at 4 months. It's very good that Jack is neutered, but neutered doesn't mean inactive, as I well know from experience with one of our neutered males and TWO of his spayed sisters. There was no issue, of course, but it was unsettling to me and I called their vet, who told me no harm done.
My Elvis, neutered and 14, is very territorial and amorous if he has the chance. Suha, 17 and spayed, wants no part of him and spends most of her time under our bed in the master bedroom, which has everything cats need and love. I would much rather she would come out and enjoy her entire home, but she's been like this for the past couple of years. Sometimes, though, they curl up fairly close together on the bed. He is not in physical contact with her at all.
It sounds very much as if Jack likes the little girl and would like to be more than friends. After she's spayed and her hormones aren't in evidence, I think Jack will settle down and stop some if not all of his behaviors toward her. They will probably be lifelong friends with a deep bond.
 

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It does sound like either mating or parent type behavior, or jealousy and he wants her under the bed etc. This happened once with my Tess when I first took Byron in, he would mount and bite her neck. I stopped it right away, scruffed him and told him not to and he stopped. She was long spayed and he recently neutered. He had stayed in his own room for a while as well.

It can also just be dominant behavior. Just make sure to supervise them and maybe separate until she is spayed so she can get out more and not feel she has to stay there. It is better to give the new cat their own room and intro them slowly.
 
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AndyTilt

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Thank you everyone for you advise. Her name is Rose by the way. (yes, both a titanic and Dr. who reference). I've been keeping them either separate and closely monitoring their interactions. I'll keep it up until i'm able to get her spayed, hopefully soon, but her clinic has been having a COVID outbreak so crossing fingers. In the mean time, i'll work at getting my shy girl more used to me.
 

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Elvis used to try every chance heh got with our beloved angel Tarifa, and when she'd had enough, she'd just turn around and whap him. *Suha, as you see, was shocked.* I never intervened, though, because I knew Tar would let Elvis know when enough was (more than) enough. 😑
IMG_1784.JPG
 
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AndyTilt

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I may let it go once she's a bit more grown, but Rose is an small unfixed 4 month old, and Jack is an adult male that's part norwegian forrest cat (he's a big boy). Once she's fixed, a bit bigger, and more used to the space, she'll probably give what for, but for now i'm keeping them apart.

Elvis used to try every chance heh got with our beloved angel Tarifa, and when she'd had enough, she'd just turn around and whap him. *Suha, as you see, was shocked.* I never intervened, though, because I knew Tar would let Elvis know when enough was (more than) enough. 😑 View attachment 406378
 
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AndyTilt

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Jack is a very handsome Business CATual guy and little Rose is adorable. They make a very cute couple! :heartshape:
Yes, we will pretend he always look's like that, not the scruffy mad man he usually is no matter how often i brush him.
 

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LOL I'm thibk i can make that happen. first photo is business cat jack in his holiday tie. second is rose vs jack size difference.
Oh wow...Jack looks so dapper and handsome...in his holiday tie. :loveeyes: :cool2:
Like he's off to the holiday party...or else thoughtfully waiting for the meal to be served. lol. :lol:

That's a great photo...comparing their size differences, too. :thumbsup:

I definitely agree with the above members, who advise to closely monitor and supervise them...because of too much rough play.
And you definitely don't want any mounting behaviours from Jack.
It also makes a lot of sense, that Jack may be getting riled up from Rose...giving off pheromones, too.

I'm just not so sure...that you need to completely separate them...especially if you can 'watchfully supervise'...and allow for Rose to have 'safe spaces'...or a 'safe room'...where she can rest, relax, and get her kitten sleep.
Plus if you have to wait another month, due to Covid restrictions, happening everywhere in Vet clinics, these days.

**Is there any way...that you can 'harness train'...big cat Jack ? :bluepaw:
Then if he could be on harness...you would still be able to 'build up Rose's Confidence...by allowing Jack to be in the same room...but not actually always trying to herd, chase, or grab Rose.
I think he's only trying to Play...but his Play...is just a bit too excitable...and might be frightening Rose.

The thing is...that kittens grow extremely fast...and the more social contact they have...with each other...then the better in terms of 'bite inhibition', learning how to Play, expending energy, and basically bonding, too.
But yes, it is true,...that some cats do Play too, too rough,...and then you have to 'referee'...and 'supervise'...and especially if there are huge size differences, or strength differences, too.

( On another note...I have two six year old sibling cats, now, (who were both neutered and spayed at 5 months old.)
The male being around 12 lbs, and female is about 10 lbs...yet when they were around two, or three years old,...the male did try to mount my female...and so I quickly had to have a bath towel handy...to take him off...and kind of shooo him away. My male cat is a very sensitive guy...so after doing this...a few times...(or maybe four times)..he did learn that this behaviour was not appreciated.
Plus his sister would get some 'payback' by swatting him...usually the next day.

My point,...is that sometimes this type of behaviour can still happen when both cats are neutered and spayed...and you still will need to sometimes 'supervise the cats'...depending on whose doing what...and what cat is vocalizing...or too rough playing or getting cornered. Even with cats that have known each other for years...these things could happen.)

If you can have them...acting like they do in that second photo, above,...then that would be the best. :blush:
PS. Take many, many photos,..and videos too...because these days...just go by too quick. :clover: :cloud9:
 
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AndyTilt

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Oh wow...Jack looks so dapper and handsome...in his holiday tie. :loveeyes: :cool2:
Like he's off to the holiday party...or else thoughtfully waiting for the meal to be served. lol. :lol:

That's a great photo...comparing their size differences, too. :thumbsup:

I definitely agree with the above members, who advise to closely monitor and supervise them...because of too much rough play.
And you definitely don't want any mounting behaviours from Jack.
It also makes a lot of sense, that Jack may be getting riled up from Rose...giving off pheromones, too.

I'm just not so sure...that you need to completely separate them...especially if you can 'watchfully supervise'...and allow for Rose to have 'safe spaces'...or a 'safe room'...where she can rest, relax, and get her kitten sleep.
Plus if you have to wait another month, due to Covid restrictions, happening everywhere in Vet clinics, these days.

**Is there any way...that you can 'harness train'...big cat Jack ? :bluepaw:
Then if he could be on harness...you would still be able to 'build up Rose's Confidence...by allowing Jack to be in the same room...but not actually always trying to herd, chase, or grab Rose.
I think he's only trying to Play...but his Play...is just a bit too excitable...and might be frightening Rose.

The thing is...that kittens grow extremely fast...and the more social contact they have...with each other...then the better in terms of 'bite inhibition', learning how to Play, expending energy, and basically bonding, too.
But yes, it is true,...that some cats do Play too, too rough,...and then you have to 'referee'...and 'supervise'...and especially if there are huge size differences, or strength differences, too.

( On another note...I have two six year old sibling cats, now, (who were both neutered and spayed at 5 months old.)
The male being around 12 lbs, and female is about 10 lbs...yet when they were around two, or three years old,...the male did try to mount my female...and so I quickly had to have a bath towel handy...to take him off...and kind of shooo him away. My male cat is a very sensitive guy...so after doing this...a few times...(or maybe four times)..he did learn that this behaviour was not appreciated.
Plus his sister would get some 'payback' by swatting him...usually the next day.

My point,...is that sometimes this type of behaviour can still happen when both cats are neutered and spayed...and you still will need to sometimes 'supervise the cats'...depending on whose doing what...and what cat is vocalizing...or too rough playing or getting cornered. Even with cats that have known each other for years...these things could happen.)

If you can have them...acting like they do in that second photo, above,...then that would be the best. :blush:
PS. Take many, many photos,..and videos too...because these days...just go by too quick. :clover: :cloud9:
I never thought about the harness, thank you that's a good idea. I wasn't able to full harness train him, as he doesn't like the majority of the outside but he was trained enough for the balcony (My adorable dips**t tries to kamikazi himself off the edge after bugs). I wanted to give her a few days to regain her confidence but i may try that tomorrow.

And i'm taking photos anytime she'll stay still enough for me to take them. If i can find it, i'll post the video of baby jack valieanlty trying to defeat the villainous potatoe.
 

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I never thought about the harness, thank you that's a good idea. I wasn't able to full harness train him, as he doesn't like the majority of the outside but he was trained enough for the balcony (My adorable dips**t tries to kamikazi himself off the edge after bugs). I wanted to give her a few days to regain her confidence but i may try that tomorrow.
Giving Rose some time to gain more confidence makes sense, too. :greenpaw:
You know them best.

As for the harness training, I've never actually harness trained my cats to walk outdoors. I'm nervous of dogs and such chasing them.
(I only had to do it with a previous cat, because he would bolt straight off the Vet's exam table, and then run around the exam room.
It was not fun, trying to catch him...in the tiniest room possible...and still look fairly relaxed and cool in front of the Vet.)

Wow. I pictured your Jack, in the holiday tie,...as more of a 'banker or accountant' type cat.
Not acting like Clark Kent...and Superman. And trying to fly off of balconies and such chasing bugs.
Whoah. that is so dangerous. (I first laughed at the adorable description, but then realized how dangerous this could be...if you live higher than the ground floor. yikes.)
We will have to find some 'how to cat proof your balcony threads'...for safety, now.

My goodness...you do have to keep a 'close eye' on Jack, for sure.
Maybe Jack 'teaching Rose'...how to properly act like a kitten...should be the other way around now. 🤔
Rose should teach Jack. :idea: :geekcat::coolcat:
And i'm taking photos anytime she'll stay still enough for me to take them. If i can find it, i'll post the video of baby jack valieanlty trying to defeat the villainous potatoe.
Oh yeah, I forgot how little kittens can be 'whirlwind storms' and 'lightning fast', and never quite stay still. :lol:
I guess most of the photos will be when Rose is sleeping, then. :wink:
Or else...totally blur shots.
Oh well...we've all got those many blurry shots...that we somehow hoped would turn out.

I will definitely be waiting for that "baby jack versus the villainous potatoe" video. :think:
But if you cannot find it....then just recounting the entire story...in as much detail as possible will suffice. :agree:
Lol. Thank you for the laugh of the day. Well a few laughs, after all. :)
 
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AndyTilt

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Giving Rose some time to gain more confidence makes sense, too. :greenpaw:
You know them best.

As for the harness training, I've never actually harness trained my cats to walk outdoors. I'm nervous of dogs and such chasing them.
(I only had to do it with a previous cat, because he would bolt straight off the Vet's exam table, and then run around the exam room.
It was not fun, trying to catch him...in the tiniest room possible...and still look fairly relaxed and cool in front of the Vet.)

Wow. I pictured your Jack, in the holiday tie,...as more of a 'banker or accountant' type cat.
Not acting like Clark Kent...and Superman. And trying to fly off of balconies and such chasing bugs.
Whoah. that is so dangerous. (I first laughed at the adorable description, but then realized how dangerous this could be...if you live higher than the ground floor. yikes.)
We will have to find some 'how to cat proof your balcony threads'...for safety, now.

My goodness...you do have to keep a 'close eye' on Jack, for sure.
Maybe Jack 'teaching Rose'...how to properly act like a kitten...should be the other way around now. 🤔
Rose should teach Jack. :idea: :geekcat::coolcat:

Oh yeah, I forgot how little kittens can be 'whirlwind storms' and 'lightning fast', and never quite stay still. :lol:
I guess most of the photos will be when Rose is sleeping, then. :wink:
Or else...totally blur shots.
Oh well...we've all got those many blurry shots...that we somehow hoped would turn out.

I will definitely be waiting for that "baby jack versus the villainous potatoe" video. :think:
But if you cannot find it....then just recounting the entire story...in as much detail as possible will suffice. :agree:
Lol. Thank you for the laugh of the day. Well a few laughs, after all. :)
For some reason he really likes the balcony but freaks out the second i try and take him out the main door. Its really odd. I like on the 3rd/4th floor(1st floor is half basement) . Like he doesn't try to intentionally yeet himself off the edge of the balcony, but i does think he is smaller than he is, and "i can totally balance on that window ledge mom, jeez" despite the fact he can't balance on the exact same ledge that in the balcony are. -.-

Also . . . Guess what i found :D
Firstly, Baby jack because yes.
Secondly, potato murder jack videos won't load, but i have them in an album.
20201003_075640[2].mp4
 

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tarasgirl06

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For some reason he really likes the balcony but freaks out the second i try and take him out the main door. Its really odd. I like on the 3rd/4th floor(1st floor is half basement) . Like he doesn't try to intentionally yeet himself off the edge of the balcony, but i does think he is smaller than he is, and "i can totally balance on that window ledge mom, jeez" despite the fact he can't balance on the exact same ledge that in the balcony are. -.-

Also . . . Guess what i found :D
Firstly, Baby jack because yes.
Secondly, potato murder jack videos won't load, but i have them in an album.
20201003_075640[2].mp4
Baby Jack DEFINITELY needs protection. We have window screens on all windows and they are securely latched. Balcony? DEFINITELY needs cat-proofing!
 
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AndyTilt

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Baby Jack DEFINITELY needs protection. We have window screens on all windows and they are securely latched. Balcony? DEFINITELY needs cat-proofing!
Balcony has been cat proofed, you just can't see it in the photo. He also understands that he isn't allowed out there without me and without his harness and lead. He signals that he wants to go out by scratching at his harness.

Windows all have screens. I also check the window screens quarterly to make they are in good condition and he can't get through them.
 
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