Kitten Wants to Chase and Resident Runs

[picat]

Hi all, we are about 3 and a half weeks into introducing a kitten (3 months) to our 2 cat (9 and 10 year) home. Everything seems to be going pretty well, we have followed the Jackson Galaxy method and are at the point where kitten is out in the house with the others as long as myself or my husband can keep an eye on him. Resident cats are not ready to play with him but will play near him, as long as he doesn't get too close. If kitten runs up he will get hissed at and swatted, but he retreats and tries again later. They are also ok with all eating in kitchen together relatively near each other. And as long as the baby isn't antagonizing, they will all sit with us on the couch or under the bed near each other (but not close).

One of our resident cats is setting boundaries with him pretty well, if he runs up on her she will hiss, swat, and growl. Our other cat however is running from him. It will usually start off that she hisses if he approaches, but then if he doesn't run off right away then she will, and at that point he starts chasing.

We are not really sure how we should be getting involved. On the one hand I want to let things happen so they can work it out and she gives him a firm no without us saving her, but I don't want to just keep waiting it out with him chasing after her and end up with her becoming more and more stressed. Occasionally he will run away from her when she hisses, and in those cases she doesn't get chased. But often she will run and he will follow. I know he just wants to play, but she doesn't see it that way yet.

As a side note, she has always been much more submissive, and would sometimes get chased by our other resident cat when playing. Her default is to run away.

Is this pretty typical and will hopefully get better with time and exposure? Or should we be shutting the chase down every time? It has never gotten to a fight, there is no aggression that I can tell but I don't want it to get to that point.

 

[Kris107]

I would try to shut it down if you can. I wouldn't want to be chased all the time, especially when I'm just trying to kick back in my own home. Not a fun feeling. I'm sure there aren't really places for her to safely hide either since they're probably all around the same size and kitten is younger. Your kitten could outgrow some of this, but you should try setting some rules/boundaries now.

 

[picat]

Thanks for the response! We will start interrupting the chase and stopping it before it starts. Luckily he is pretty easy to distract with a toy!

Do you think it's possible she will never assert herself and give him a firm boundary?

 

[Alldara]

Do you think it's possible she will never assert herself and give him a firm boundary?

If you keep chasing her from being the "most fun game" he has, it won't be necessary.

Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of waiting for another animal to assert themselves. Human training towards the cats works best.

 

[Kwik]

Hi- never had the opportunity to meet you - Welcome to TCS

I'm in agreement it must be Shut down-Your resident is not prey and doesn't want to engage so a firm no ,distract and replace with prey that is acceptable ( laser,wand toy etc)

You don't want your resident cat to be anxious,stressed and result in being a hider .....when baby is not bursting with energy and pretty tuckered out is a good time for intros

I'm not a big fan of Galaxy,for the most part he's fine but there's alot I don't agree with because all cats are not the same and have very individual personalities- what method works with one can often be counter productive for another's- thsts why observation assessments are very beneficial,especially in multi cat household where there are often what seems like incompatible individuals- ime the issue was not properly addressed from the get go ....

My point here is you want to start off on the right foot to " prevent" any issues with integration .... 3wks is very early on,correction and reward NOW will result in baby understanding acceptable and unacceptable behavior- you're the head of household and yes,,the savior,the protector,the one who should have everyone's attention

 

[picat]

Thanks y'all! We will be breaking up and redirecting any chase. I think also could try going back to this cat seeing the kitten from behind the baby gate, so she can look at/smell him but not have to worry about him getting too close.

We haven't had a kitten in the house in over 9 years and I forgot how wild they can be!

 

[Kwik]

Thanks y'all! We will be breaking up and redirecting any chase. I think also could try going back to this cat seeing the kitten from behind the baby gate, so she can look at/smell him but not have to worry about him getting too close.

We haven't had a kitten in the house in over 9 years and I forgot how wild they can be!

Sounds like a good plan- Congratulations on the new baby- so what are your kitties names? And please do share photos

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

If she has never been assertive that may not change. The main thing now is that he knows not to chase her. We had taken in my mom's cat after she passed. We had two young kittens that loved to chase each other around the house.She did not want to be chased so they had to learn that was not allowed. She liked to watch all their antics and would look at me like ' their nuts'. She would join play with them only if it wasn't to crazy;otherwise, she preferred to play with us separately or alone. For reference when we got her she was eight and they were under one year.

 

[Kwik]

If she has never been assertive that may not change. The main thing now is that he knows not to chase her. We had taken in my mom's cat after she passed. We had two young kittens that loved to chase each other around the house.She did not want to be chased so they had to learn that was not allowed. She liked to watch all their antics and would look at me like ' their nuts'. She would join play with them only if it wasn't to crazy;otherwise, she preferred to play with us separately or alone. For reference when we got her she was eight and they were under one year.

That's my Graycie,same personality - she really loves to " watch" like it's her entertainment but in her own space....when others start roughhousing or playing cat/mouse Graycie will glide along in intrusively and find a good view,doesn't want to miss the show- just doesn't want to be in it- lol

 

[picat]

Things are going pretty well the last couple days. We've been keeping a close eye on baby and whenever he looks like he wants to chase, either distracting him with a favorite toy, or picking him up and putting him in a different area. Still have had a couple moments but I think there's improvement. We also tried holding him and letting Pi approach and sniff him, which seemed ok. She did hiss after she got a good sniff and then we backed off. Maybe that will help her associate that her hiss can be a baby deterrent? Not sure, lol, but we're just taking it slow and steady. I'm prepared for this to take a while, and if we can get to a point of tolerance then I'll be happy with that! They're older girls, so I know it is going to be a transition. Luckily, baby does not seem too bothered.

Here are some pics. The Ladies of the House, Pi (white) and Margot (tortie)

Margot's little angry eyebrows always make me laugh. She's a sweetie even if she looks perpetually grumpy!

And baby Oliver.

His eyes aren't quite so blue anymore, they are turning a little more green/yellow.

Pi is 10 and a half, Margot is 9, and Oliver is about 3 and a half months.

 

[Kwik]

Things are going pretty well the last couple days. We've been keeping a close eye on baby and whenever he looks like he wants to chase, either distracting him with a favorite toy, or picking him up and putting him in a different area. Still have had a couple moments but I think there's improvement. We also tried holding him and letting Pi approach and sniff him, which seemed ok. She did hiss after she got a good sniff and then we backed off. Maybe that will help her associate that her hiss can be a baby deterrent? Not sure, lol, but we're just taking it slow and steady. I'm prepared for this to take a while, and if we can get to a point of tolerance then I'll be happy with that! They're older girls, so I know it is going to be a transition. Luckily, baby does not seem too bothered.

Here are some pics. The Ladies of the House, Pi (white) and Margot (tortie)
View attachment 479720 View attachment 479721
View attachment 479722
View attachment 479723
Margot's little angry eyebrows always make me laugh. She's a sweetie even if she looks perpetually grumpy!

And baby Oliver.
View attachment 479725 View attachment 479724
His eyes aren't quite so blue anymore, they are turning a little more green/yellow.

Pi is 10 and a half, Margot is 9, and Oliver is about 3 and a half months.

They are gorgeous,I don't think Margot looks grumpy at all,her markings are stunning! She looks very alert and surprised- adorable face - Pi too

But ohhhhh,that baby Oliver- steal my heart away with my weakness for orange babies with little pink noses

Beautiful furry family

 

[picat]

I feel like things with Pi are continuing to improve. Today they were able to spend a lot of time in the living room together, Pi on the couch and Oliver playing on the floor. He did jump up on the side table and try to swat her once but this time she hissed and swatted back, and he backed off instead of her running away! So I feel like that's progress. Shortly after that she decided to go to bed and we put up the baby gate so she could have some time away from him. I think she realizes that we will protect her if she needs it. I am feeling more hopeful about them now.

Margot is more hit and miss. Sometimes they are totally fine together, for example this evening while we were watching TV Margot sat one one side of me and Oliver right on the other, no issue, 2 feet apart max. She was barely even looking at him. But then when he's playing or if he gets a little too close she will hiss, growl, and sometimes yell. It sounds awful, like a major cat fight. There is no fighting though, usually not even any contact outside of a swat. It's just like if he's running around and comes by too close, I don't think he's even really trying to run at her. He could be chasing the feather wand and pass her a couple feet away and she'll hiss, or if he's trying to pass her in the hall to get to his base camp she will growl and yell. It's hard because I think she is a little curious about him, she likes to be within eyesight of him, but doesn't want him to pay attention to her.

She is definitely a vocal cat, always has been, so I'm hoping she is just being more vocal in this aspect too, but it's hard for me to hear all these angry sounds and not worry that she is feeling so mad, or that Oliver is feeling rejected. Probably personifying then a little, but I just want everyone to be happy! It has only been a month so I know it's still early days, but I hope we can get to a place where I don't have an angry Margot growling every day.

 

[Kwik]

It's really early- after 30 days are typically when Intros are just starting- Margot is making it very clear where her boundaries are- it's good she stays put and vocalizes,sound like a confident girl that knows what she wants ..just tell her it's okay since she's sitting next to you and she's doing good not reacting- my Graycie makes her boundaries known as well and is a very good girl,I don't have to worry about Graycie getting into it with anyone as she is not reactive also,instead she's vocal( formidable growl or hiss)

You know the old " all bark no bite".... I'll take a half a dozen of those rather than one little explosive reactor.....

Cats are far more tolerant of kittens and often very vocal towards them.....and your Oliver sounds like a great kitten who doesn't get stressed easily,going about his happy business.....the dynamic seems it'll be a nice balance,3 is a great number of kitties

 

[picat]

Yes, Margot is very clear with her boundaries! I always tell her it's ok when she starts talking, and if she gets too agitated I physically remove Oliver. Pi is getting better at it too. Even when he tried to chase her, she's not as bothered now, and while she will run and hiss, she will also often immediately plop down on her side relaxed after we stop him from chasing.
She and Oliver were able to both spend some time napping on the cat tree yesterday.

Unfortunately, it feels like we had a bit of a setback today. Margot has been increasingly vocal and growling at him a lot more over the last couple days. I assumed it was because feliway was running low (we just got a refill out in and a second diffuser today). She's always been pretty anxious, but I feel like feliway was helping us. But anyway, tonight after a lot of play time we were winding down to have dinner and not keeping a close enough eye on them.

We didn't see what happened, but heard Margot screaming like she was being murdered. I clapped my hands and ran over to see what was going on as she and Oliver split off in different directions. We think he snuck up and jumped on her, just trying to play, but she was not having it - understandable!

Neither was injured, but I feel awful for letting that happen. He's been so good about not getting in Margot's space but I guess he saw a chance and took it. So after that since he ran off to hide in our bedroom, we just put up the baby gate so they could be separate for the rest of the evening. Feelings were hurt and I think we're going to have to go back to being behind gates unless my husband or I are on top of them. Everyone was pretty relaxed once they had some time apart, though Margot still growled at him when she saw him behind the gate. She did approach the gate though.

I know it's only been a month, so hopefully it will just take more time. They are all so sweet with us but I wish they could be sweet with each other. It's also hard because it feels like one step forward, one back. Margot and Oliver played together taking turns with a fishing pole toy earlier today, still some hissing from her but overall I thought it went well. But then after his little sneak attack I feel like that progress is gone.

Sorry, I am just venting a bit.

 

[Crabbysquatch]

Very interested in how it goes for you. I’ve got the same type of situation and about the same timeline. 3 new kittens and 5 resident cats. The kittens are all acting about how you think kittens would, high energy craziness. But each of the 5 resident cats are different towards them.

Odie 1yr male is the favorite. They come and rub on him and he is just great with them. He is mama Odie.
Puca 1yr male likes to play with them but hisses and smacks em down about half the time.
Emi 3yr female sits around and growls constantly at them and hisses and hits em hard if they get close
Minnie 3yr female comes and sniffs them then hisses and runs away when they are in the cage but is never around when they are out and playing.
Callie 17yr female doesn’t interact with them at all and isn’t friendly towards any of the others so she kinda has her own area that’s off limits to all except Emi who she tolerates most of the time.
I think a little hissing and smacking is normal. More like 1 step foreword half a step back unless there is a full on brawl. I personally try to let the cats sort it out themselves as much as possible while I’m there as long as there isn’t any fur flying knock down drag out fights. There are just so many variables and all cats are different. Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Kittens can be a pain in the butt.
I feel like I’m ranting now but your post kinda triggered me because I’m going through the same thing.

 

[Kwik]

Yes, Margot is very clear with her boundaries! I always tell her it's ok when she starts talking, and if she gets too agitated I physically remove Oliver. Pi is getting better at it too. Even when he tried to chase her, she's not as bothered now, and while she will run and hiss, she will also often immediately plop down on her side relaxed after we stop him from chasing.
She and Oliver were able to both spend some time napping on the cat tree yesterday.

View attachment 480283

Unfortunately, it feels like we had a bit of a setback today. Margot has been increasingly vocal and growling at him a lot more over the last couple days. I assumed it was because feliway was running low (we just got a refill out in and a second diffuser today). She's always been pretty anxious, but I feel like feliway was helping us. But anyway, tonight after a lot of play time we were winding down to have dinner and not keeping a close enough eye on them.

We didn't see what happened, but heard Margot screaming like she was being murdered. I clapped my hands and ran over to see what was going on as she and Oliver split off in different directions. We think he snuck up and jumped on her, just trying to play, but she was not having it - understandable!

Neither was injured, but I feel awful for letting that happen. He's been so good about not getting in Margot's space but I guess he saw a chance and took it. So after that since he ran off to hide in our bedroom, we just put up the baby gate so they could be separate for the rest of the evening. Feelings were hurt and I think we're going to have to go back to being behind gates unless my husband or I are on top of them. Everyone was pretty relaxed once they had some time apart, though Margot still growled at him when she saw him behind the gate. She did approach the gate though.

I know it's only been a month, so hopefully it will just take more time. They are all so sweet with us but I wish they could be sweet with each other. It's also hard because it feels like one step forward, one back. Margot and Oliver played together taking turns with a fishing pole toy earlier today, still some hissing from her but overall I thought it went well. But then after his little sneak attack I feel like that progress is gone.

Sorry, I am just venting a bit.

Vent away - no apologies!

It's so early,don't feel discouraged because that's how it goes- I call it the Cha Cha,the dance you go one,two steps forward and then back one step to ' Cha Cha Cha ' and then one ,two MORE forward ,before you know it you made your way all across the dance floor!

Stay encouraged because they are doing well- Margot is a big mouth like my Sami,they complain out loud,lol. It's going to be okay,you've got the right idea of supervising and making use of the baby gates when unsupervised - they'll be fine

 

[picat]

Well, Margot has gotten more and more mad over this last week or so. She will hiss, growl, and yowl even if Oliver is not near her or looking at her, doing his own thing. Oliver more or less leaves her alone, other than trying to get close to her and run off occasionally. He seems to understand that she does not want him near.

She is even angrily yelling at us now, if we get near her. Vet has us trying a transdermal medication to help her relax a bit - tbh we should have probably been on something like this already. She is highly intelligent and highly anxious/always on edge. We call her our guard dog because she's always aware of what's going on. So we are going to give it a try. Hopefully if she can relax a little she will be more open to the baby and that could help the transition? We will see. I'm ready to try anything. My husband has suggested we got back to square one and Oliver not be around Margot at all. We've been doing that since the weekend. Separate rooms at all times. So that has been disappointing bc he really wants to be out with everyone else. I'll spend time in his base camp when I can so he isn't lonely. He is able to be out when Margot hides out napping in the bedroom or office.

Pi is doing much better. She doesn't want him jumping on her or chasing, but if he not doing any of that they can sit very close to each other (not touching yet) or hang out in the same room with no hissing or anxiety. So I feel like that is going well. I just wish we could get things going a little better with Margot. It feels like we will never get past this.

 

[picat]

I guess just to remind myself that it's not all bad, here's a video of Pi and Margot enjoying a treat while Oliver had his lunch just on the other side of the fence.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

Of course, shortly after the treat was gone Margot did start growling, but then just walked away.