New Cat Ambushing Senior Cats

I adopted two 1 year old cats in October, and I have two 15 year old cats. One of the new cats gets along fine with everybody, and never threatens anyone. The other 1 year old is very active, and is always trying to find new things to check out. She (spayed female) isn’t aggressive, but try’s to play with the other three cats by ambushing them. The two 15 year olds are fearful of her, to the point where they are constantly on alert, and hesitant to even drink water if she’s around, and the other 1 year old avoids her when possible. Any ideas for how to handle this would be greatly appreciated!

This doesn't sound too bad in the scheme of things. Doesn't sound like you have actual fighting, or the kind of super high stress in the older cats that leads to hiding all the time, bathroom problems, etc... Many homes have to muddle through this sort of thing. There is no magic bullet. It will get better with time no matter what you do, but likely slowly.

Adding high ground is proven to help, as cats feel safer in elevated spaces. Experts say this, and its easy to see its true. Even when my older cat hated the younger, she was still willing to play with the younger if she was in a chair and the younger was on the ground. High ground matters. All of that said, one or two cat trees likely won't work a miracle -- Jackson Galaxy often has people build crazy cat super-highways and whatnot, and who actually has the resources/skills for that?

You can try to time play sessions with the active cat if problems happen at a particular time of the day, but trying to tire out a 1 year old won't necessarily work that well. Better than nothing - definitely play with him as much as possible.

Some people may recommend calming products like Feliway, but the science on those is iffy at best. And it is not like they will get the one year old to stop playing, or the 15 year olds to like being chased. You could try them; won't hurt anything except your wallet.

Bottom line -- there are some things you can and should try, but unfortunately, you mostly just have to wait for things to gradually improve.

P.S. In very rare circumstances, things can get worse and morph into actual fighting. Actually, happened to me once years ago. If that happens, proceed immediately to a gradual reintroduction process.

Hi. Did you do all the traditional 'introduction' steps when you brought the two new cats in? I am only asking because a lot of times if the introduction is done slowly and methodically, the resident cats will usually deal better with a new cat - even if they don't like her. That is because they have time to acclimate themselves to the personality of the new cat.

If you didn't, you might have to start over with the one cat, and see if that makes any difference. Otherwise, the only thing I know you could do is to intervene and play with her directly so she will leave the other cats alone. Or, if that doesn't work, pick her up and remove her from the area. Either could help build their confidence, knowing you'll stop the 'attacks' (as they see it). And, if you divert her attention by playing with her, it help to ward off her excess energy until she gets a little older and calms down a bit.

If it weren't for the fear your older cats are demonstrating, I would have said to just let them work it out for themselves. In many cases, the older cats will eventually get irritated and teach the younger one 'cat manners', but I am not sure that is going to happen since they are displaying fear.

Thank you, ArtNJ and FeebysOwner! There are some times that younger cat will back off when my 6 lb 15 year old hisses and growls, and my spray bottle is getting a good workout at those times when she doesn’t back off. I have a separate cat room, where each cat has a pen of their own, that is left open during the day, and she seems to respect the older cats when they are lying in their own beds in their pens. I will try to play with her more, and try to find a pattern to her high energy. ArtNJ, unfortunately, the younger one is the one who takes over the high ground. FeebysOwner, I did introduce the cats gradually, it’s just that once I let the younger one out, she took over her “new space” with a vengeance. She just wants to play, but it’s the WAY she plays that gets to the other cats, especially the older, more feeble ones who have arthritis, and can’t move as fast or freely without pain. ArtNJ, I used Feliway when I first introduced them, but it didn’t make a difference as far as I could see. Thank you both for your advice, and I’m glad this will work itself out. I’m just afraid of the older ones getting hurt. I do separate them when the younger one gets too wound up, or when I have to leave the house. Luckily, I’m retired, so I am home with them most of the day.

Generally, we don't usually recommend a spray bottle (or any negative reinforcement) in this situation because wanting to play with the other cats is normal & instinctive behavior for the high energy 1 year old. Negative reinforcement doesn't work well to extinguish this type of behavior and seeing you running for & using the spray bottle could add to the stress felt by the older cats as well -- especially if you accidentally get the older cat a little wet. So we usually say to ignore it, if there isn't an actual fight going on, or if you have time, redirect the high energy cat to some sort of play. If the older cat is being held down and really squealing to the degree your really uncomfortable, you might use a towel to pick up the trouble maker, but its generally better to let them be if it isn't a genuine cat fight.

It is unfortunate that one of your youngsters is shy and can't occupy your fireball a bit better. Not that unusual of course, but still unfortunate.

I am having a similar issue. Dexter (5 months) often ambushes Evie (2 yo) and bites her neck/ears. I think he just wants to play but hasn't yet learned how to gauge a playful bite vs. a painful bite.

four cats I feel you. we got two kittens it will be a year and a half now, and introduced them to our two older cats. it gets better with time, my older cats did not come out for some time, and only now are dealing with each other pretty well.