Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Purrs

1. 

   Hi - new to TDK. I wanted to get some advice on my two new female kittens. They are littermates and about 11.5 weeks old. They have completely different personalities. One is very vocal, aggressive, and is constantly in motion. The other is silent (I'm not sure if she's able to meow), very sweet, and is much calmer than her sister.

   The more aggressive sister is constantly stalking, pouncing on, and chasing after her more docile sister. Even when they're sleepy, the more aggressive kitten bites her sister on the neck and keeps her mouth on her sister's neck instead of grooming her. I understand that play fighting in kittens is normal and necessary for their development, but I worry about the calmer kitten, especially because she doesn't (or is unable to meow). I know that kittens get signals from their littermates about when enough is enough, but I wonder if the message isn't getting across because the quiet one doesn't make a peep. Also, I wonder if this is my fault because I brought the more aggressive sister home at 10 weeks and her sister at 11 (to keep her company) and if she simply was not properly socialized.

   In any event, if any of you have dealt with this situation before, I'd very much appreciate your thoughts on whether this is normal behavior, when I should intervene (I've noticed on occasion that both of them get poofy, pull their ears back, side hop, and then rush back at each other), if it eventually stops, when I should intervene, and if I should consider separating the two. Thanks very much for your advice!

   Posted 1 year ago by lazybanana #

2. 

   I wonder if cats can be mute...But also, little kittens often won't speak. Especially if they're new.
   -Does the quiet cat look scared and try to run away when the more agressive one attacks? Does she have her ears back? Or does she look like a willing participant? Do they get along? Like are they cuddling up together or grooming eachother?
   This is a pretty good article about cat expressions http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/articles/cats/27-cat-communication-language_7.htm

   If it appears that her sister is harassing her, then I would play with the more active one a lot to tire her out.

   Posted 1 year ago by ladysky61 #

3. 

   I have heard that to discourage unwanted aggressive play or behavior you will need to take the aggressor and put him or in your case her in a separate room shut the door for a few minutes. In litters when one usually plays to roughly the litter mate will actually stop playing and remove themselves from the other to show hey your too rough. So when one is unable to get away from the tormentor then you need to be the one to do the removing and putting in time out. This will show her hey this is not how we treat family. Keep doing this until she relates the two and finally gets oh every time I hurt sis I am locked away from everyone and I can't play. Or use a spray bottle spray her in the face. It sounds mean but you are defending the one that can't or is unwilling to defend its self. Its literally like raising two toddlers their is always one that is a bit more aggressive. Also make sure that you do NOT leave them unattended at any time. A bite from a cat can easily become infected and cause other underlined problems If this happens you will need to see the vet immediately they will do the 3 A's which is antibiotic, antiseptic, and anti inflammatories. This is so it will stop infections in their path there are signs to look for in bites. Around the neck shoulders and hind quarters. any swelling. at the head of the swelling there will be some hair loss and or open wound with pus if infected it will be smelly.. Good luck with your new kittens I am sure with behavior modification and positive redirection they will at least grow to tolerate one another. Remember not all animals get a long they are just like people. There are those siblings that can't stand one another. so. make sure that you keep an eye on them do not leave them unattended and when you must leave them put them in separate spaces if you feel that the aggressor will harm your docile kitty. Once again good luck and welcome to our home

   Posted 1 year ago by mamas #

4. 

   I don't know if you read my post if so I hope that it helps you!!

   Posted 1 year ago by mamas #

5. 

   Thanks for the advice Mamas! I took them to their first vet appointment today and he actually told me that I'm overreacting a bit and that I should keep an eye on them, but they will eventually grow out of it and will establish a normal hierarchy.

   So, fingers crossed! :)

   Posted 1 year ago by lazybanana #

6. 

   ???? What happened to my post? I spent a lot of time on it, so I'm a bit annoyed that someone appears to have deleted it.

   I agree. I think things will work out. Kittens do play rough a lot. I think it's ok as long as the less agressive one isn't really being injured or frightened. You may wanna try to play with the more agressive one a lot to tire him out a bit. That's what we did to keep my kitten from constantly harassing our 3 year old cat who wasn't interested in playing "jump and tackle games" hehe.

   Posted 1 year ago by ladysky61 #

7. 

   ok. Now it's back? weird.

   Posted 1 year ago by ladysky61 #

8. 

   Ladysky61 - thanks for the helpful advice as well! I've been watching them both and it's fascinating. The quieter one will kind of take it for awhile and then she'll charge her sister. When their fighting they're posture really depends. Sometimes the quiet one will pin her ears back and the other one will back off, but then the quiet one will rush her sister. Also, both of them can get super poofy and then they rush each other - I guess I'm curious to know why they keep running at each other for more (which makes me think that it is more playful than angry).

   Also, when they're tired, they do sleep together and groom one another. Also, I tried giving the more aggressive sister a time out and when the quiet one heard her meowing she went to find her, so I am hopeful that they're just going through their fighting kitten phase!

   Thanks again!

   Posted 1 year ago by lazybanana #

9. 

   Sounds like normal sibling rivalry to me ;-) Welcome to TDK and enjoy your new kitties, LB.

   Posted 1 year ago by kittymom #

10. 

    They play like that because in the wild they are Apex Predators and have to practice their hunting skills. Stalk, pounce, killl.

    Posted 1 year ago by ladysky61 #

11. 

    I am glad that your kits are working it out. I myself just got a new kitten this past Sunday. She has had her shots and spade. Sophie is the one that doesn't want to be messed with. The new kitten wants to play they are the same age but Sophie is acting like a spoiled child that just got a new sister and is jealous. They are now working it out and can be in the same room. Its funny though because Sophie has not sat on me in a long time new kitten comes along and now she is so cuddly and she will eye the new kitten like I dare you. She is so spoiled. But its cute to watch them run around the apartment together. I am glad that I got a sister for her. I just clipped both their claws. The new one never had hers clipped I don't know How I was able to do it but I did it. But any who yes it took them a while to get along but now they are fine again welcome and good luck.

    Posted 1 year ago by mamas #

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