I apologize if something like this has already been asked...
In September, I took in a stray kitten (about 5 months old). I already had 2 cats (one 4 year old female and one 1 year old male).
I took the proper precautions, kept the new kitten separated from the other 2 and slowly introduced them. Once they were all together, the two boys really seemed to hit it off after getting used to each other and would play together all the time.
Within the past few months, the new cat has begun randomly going after the other boy cat... pouncing on him and biting him to the point of breaking skin. My other cat cries and then obviously shows his dislike of it, running off to a safe spot, but growling, hissing and swatting if the other cat gets too close too soon. I am not sure what is triggering this, but it is obviously causing tension. When they are just hanging out, all three cats can hang out around each other, no problem. They relax, and snooze in the same area as one another. The boys no longer play together though, and I assume it is because this new cat is being too rough. When this started, he also started attacking my feet.
I am hoping I can get some help and tips about how to ease this tension and stop the random attacks.
Seeing as he was once a stray, I figure that is part of it as he continues to adjust to having a home, but I don't want my other boy to always be on edge and stressed over it... It seems like we are taking steps backwards instead of continuing to move forward in their cohesion.
Yes, the new cat has been neutered. He does not have any health issues that I know of... He eats, drinks, sleeps, plays.
I also have Feliway Multi-Cat plug-ins throughout the house.
The only thing I can think to do at this point is separate my newest cat from the other 2 again, and then work on re-introducing them.
Thank you so much for any input you can give!
In September, I took in a stray kitten (about 5 months old). I already had 2 cats (one 4 year old female and one 1 year old male).
I took the proper precautions, kept the new kitten separated from the other 2 and slowly introduced them. Once they were all together, the two boys really seemed to hit it off after getting used to each other and would play together all the time.
Within the past few months, the new cat has begun randomly going after the other boy cat... pouncing on him and biting him to the point of breaking skin. My other cat cries and then obviously shows his dislike of it, running off to a safe spot, but growling, hissing and swatting if the other cat gets too close too soon. I am not sure what is triggering this, but it is obviously causing tension. When they are just hanging out, all three cats can hang out around each other, no problem. They relax, and snooze in the same area as one another. The boys no longer play together though, and I assume it is because this new cat is being too rough. When this started, he also started attacking my feet.
I am hoping I can get some help and tips about how to ease this tension and stop the random attacks.
Seeing as he was once a stray, I figure that is part of it as he continues to adjust to having a home, but I don't want my other boy to always be on edge and stressed over it... It seems like we are taking steps backwards instead of continuing to move forward in their cohesion.
Yes, the new cat has been neutered. He does not have any health issues that I know of... He eats, drinks, sleeps, plays.
I also have Feliway Multi-Cat plug-ins throughout the house.
The only thing I can think to do at this point is separate my newest cat from the other 2 again, and then work on re-introducing them.
Thank you so much for any input you can give!