0

Older Cat Biting New Kitten Belly (Should I Be Worried?)

If you have discovered that your cat is biting your new kitten’s belly you may be wondering why this is happening and if you should be concerned about it.

Why is my older cat biting my new kitten’s belly?

Your older cat is likely biting your new cat’s belly to show a form of dominance. When a new cat comes into a household, even if it is a kitten your existing cat will feel vulnerable and anxious about it. And, this is one of the ways they claim they are in charge.

So, now you know why. But, how can you stop this if it’s getting too rough? Should you let your cat hiss at the kitten? What should you do if your cat just doesn’t like your kitten? Keep reading for these answers, and so much more.

How can you stop your older cat from hurting your kitten?

If you have observed your older cat and fear that it is hurting your kitten you may be looking for some ways to stop it from happening. Here are some methods that you can use:

01. Verbal

The quickest way to get your older cat off your kitten is to use your voice. For this to be effective you need to be quite firm to get its attention. Once it is interrupted, in most cases, it will be likely to run off. Or, at least stop what it was doing.

02. Supervise them closely

If you are anxious about your kitten; the only way to be safe is to closely supervise its behavior. The annoying thing is you will effectively become a “big brother” figure. Meaning, you will need to monitor each of their movements.

But, this may be required until your cat learns that being too rough is not acceptable.

Water Spray bottle (if it escalated)

Another quite controversial option is using a water spray bottle. I say controversial because some cat owners are dead against this. While others swear by it. There is one thing for sure it works. Whether or not if you should be using it is another debate.

Redirect and reward

This option is the complete opposite of punishment. Instead of lashing out, shouting, or spraying you direct its attention and shower the cat with love. Some may argue that this sends the wrong signal, but for some, it works like a charm.

Offer the older cat hiding places

Sometimes you will find that your older cat lashes out because it can’t get any space from the kitten. So, the obvious solution is to offer it a getaway. Or even better, some options.

It does not need to be big, it can be a cat tree (Click here to see my best one), cat bed (Click here to see why I rate this one), etc. So, no new room is needed, or anything generous like that.

How long does it take for an old cat to accept a new kitten?

It can take an elderly cat several weeks, or even months to get used to a new kitten. Kittens often do not understand the boundaries and may antagonize the elderly cat. This is why you may see it reacting by biting its belly or being firm with it.

If you were hoping that your cat would take a few days to adjust then you are in for a surprise. You have learned that it can take much longer than this. So, it should help to set your expectations.

Should I let my cat hiss at the new kitten?

Your cat is likely to hiss at your new kitten and you should not be concerned initially. But, it is important to keep your kitten separated from the older cat at first. A simple barrier like a pet gate (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad), a door with a large gap underneath, etc.

The key is to keep your kitten protected while your cat hisses and gets used to its scent. This behavior will stop in time and the hissing should stop. Just be patient.

What do I do if my cat doesn’t like my new kitten?

If your kitten does not like your new kitten you will need to keep them separated. At least initially. This includes offering them separate bowls to eat from, sleeping arrangements, water bowls, etc.

Regarding their food, you can try separate bowls in the same room first and see how they respond. If it’s still hostile try in different rooms. As for sleeping arrangements, separate cat beds (Click here to see why I like the comfort of this) will be fine.

Hopefully, in the future, they will grow to like each other and you can start to merge some of these items. Or at least in the same room.

How do you know if cats are just play fighting?

To find out if your cats are play fighting you need to look out for their body language. In particular, the noises they make and what their mouths are doing. Are their teeth showing? Can you hear aggressive hissing? Then, it’s likely that they are NOT play fighting.

The noises they make are likely to be the strongest indicator, in my opinion. Playful meow sounds are fine, but anything else is a bad indication.

Is it a good idea to get a kitten with an older cat?

In most cases, an older cat will not appreciate a new kitten in its space. Some will be tolerant, while others may show obvious objections. The problem is the kitten is full of energy and can antagonize the older cat too much.

It may seem like a good treat for your cat with some new energy. But, in practice, this is rarely accepted with happiness. It can and has been done successfully. But, it will take some work.

Would a female kitten work better with an elderly male?

A female kitten could work better with an elderly male, but not always. If the male is neutered it is less likely to harass the kitten. And, two males together often fight for dominance.

Some unneutered male cats have even been known to try and mate with other male cats if no female is available.

Could a new kitten make an older cat start marking?

A new kitten can cause an older kitten to start marking. This may happen if the older cat does not like the new kitten, deems it as a risk, or feels anxious about the changes in the household.

In time this can change. But, in the short term, you will have to deal with the mess the marking will cause in your home such as cat pee on the carpet, walls, etc.

Will pheromones help to relax your cat and new kitten?

Pheromones can help to relax your new cat and kitten (Click here to se whats normal play). It has a natural chemical charming effect on cats, and kittens, and may help the introduction of a new kitten smoother. However, each cat may teat in different ways.

You can get these pheromones in handy diffusers (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad) that can be plugged in. Over time it releases the vapor around your home to calm down your cats and hopefully helps them to live in harmony.

Why do some new kittens try to bite your cat?

Some kittens try to bite your cat because they have been separated from their mother too soon. Not just their mother but their fellow littermates. A normal kitten, that has spent sufficient time with its mother, is less likely to behave in this manner.

If you have noticed your kitten biting and instigating in this manner it never learned the boundaries. So, now you can understand one of the reasons why it may be doing this.

Why do cats bite other cats’ stomachs?

A cat may bite another cat’s stomach as a show of dominance. As you may know, cats are very territorial. And, these small, subtle moves can make the other cat feel dominated.

In some cases it could just be harmless playfulness. So, you will need to monitor their behavior, over time, to get a true understanding of the intent by this action.

Why does my cat keep trying to bite my kitten?

If your cat keeps biting your kitten there are two common reasons for this: either it simply wants to move your kitten from point A, to point B. Or, it may be a chance to show who is the boss.

If it’s the former, simply moving it, don’t worry, it’s helpful. On the other hand, if it’s a show of dominance, it could be because your kitten keeps messing with it, and it needs to re-establish its dominance.

Why is my male cat biting my female kitten?

If your male cat is biting your female kitten, depending on its age, it could be a mating move. It may seem aggressive to you, but this type of action is acceptable in the cat’s world.

However, if the kitten is too young, it could simply be a way for the male cat to move it out of its way, and no different to what it would do to a male kitten if it had the chance.

Why does my cat bite when I pet her belly?

Your cat may bite when you touch its belly out of instinct. Think of it like this, if someone touches your arm pit you are likely to react because it is sensitive, right?

This is the same for cats. They will just warn you to back off because it’s a sensitive area for them. The best cause of action is to not touch this area in the first place.

How do I know if my cat is too rough with a kitten?

If you notice that your cat, or kitten is hissing, had any blood drawn or fur removed, these are signs that the play time has gotten too rough. Otherwise, they may play and it may seem a bit rough at times.

Ideally, you should not wait till any blood is drawn to get concerned because that would indicate its gone way too far well before this.