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Why Does My Cat Smack My Kitten? (Vicious or Painless?)

If your cat has smacked your kitten you may be left shocked and wondering why this has happened, and what can be done about it…

Why does my cat smack my kitten?

The most common reason for your cat smacking your kitten is fear of it as a   newcomer in your household. And it is smacking the kitten as a way of saying “Back off, this is my home”. However, there are several other reasons for this behavior.

So, now you know. But, do these smacks hurt? How can you get your cat and kitten to get along? Would a mother cat ever act in this way? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

What other reasons could make your cat smack your kitten?

Your cat may also be smacking your kitten because it simply wants to play. If you are unsure as to which of these situations apply to your pair of cats, there are things you can keep an eye out for.

For example, if it is an attempt to initiate play then your cat will not have its claws out when it smacks your kitten. However, if you hear hissing or other sounds of distress then it is a sign that your cat wants some space.

Do your cat’s smacks hurt the kitten?

If your kitten happens to be on the receiving end of a smack, it generally isn’t going to hurt them. If it is just a playful smack then it is extremely unlikely that your kitten would get hurt.

But should your cat choose to smack your kitten with claws out, then there is the small possibility that your kitten could get hurt. But as long as the kitten gets the message and leaves your cat alone, you won’t need to worry about any serious injuries.

How can you help a cat and kitten to get along?

When it comes to introducing a kitten into your home, it is important to handle it carefully. You’ll want to make sure to keep your kitten in a closed-off room isolated from the rest of the house.

As the kitten acclimates to its new home, you need to get your cat to be familiar with the smell of this new member of the household. Try swapping blankets between the two so that they can grow accustomed to each other’s scents.

Small windows of time…

After this, you will need to get the cats to see each other for small windows of time. Be sure to intervene if they start to fight. As time goes on, make sure to give your cat and kitten more and more time together. Also, be sure to give both cats plenty of attention and treats. This will help increase the chance of your cat and kitten getting along.

But keep in mind that personality will still come into play. It is possible that even though your cat is comfortable being in the same room as your kitten they may not necessarily want to snuggle with them or play.

Should you smack your cat for smacking your kitten?

Never smack your cat for smacking your kitten. Violence should never be used to dissuade your cat from doing things you don’t want them to do. Your cat isn’t going to necessarily be able to tell that the reason you hit them was because of something they were doing.

So aside from them becoming afraid of you, it is possible that it could make your cat even more aggressive. Violence is not an answer to violence.

You should always use non-violent methods of discipline or try to take a positive reinforcement kind of approach.

What is an acceptable discipline for your cat smacking your kitten?

If you feel you need to administer discipline, be sure to use positive reinforcement to help combat undesirable behavior. It is important not to yell or smack your cat, as that isn’t going to help the situation.

If you need to you can speak sternly to your cat, but be sure not to scream at them. Clapping your hands is also a good option for discipline since cats tend not to like the sound of hands clapping.

As mentioned above, you can also try reinforcing good behavior. If your cat is just calmly hanging around with your kitten, give them the treat (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad) to help reinforce that behavior.

Before long they will associate that with treats and it will help reduce any aggression between the cat and kitten. Just make sure to also give the kitten treats as well so that they don’t feel left out. Otherwise, you’ll have another issue on your hands.

Why do cats slap each other?

One of the big reasons that cats slap each other is an attempt at asserting dominance. Not only that, but it can also be a fear response when a cat wants space or wants the other cat to stop doing whatever is upsetting them.

Then finally, the other reason for cats slapping each other is because they are playing or they are trying to initiate play.

Would a mother cat ever smack its own kittens?

A mother cat will smack her kittens. The reason why she does this is to keep her kittens in line. A mother cat will try to naturally wean its kittens (click here if it won’t) as they slowly grow older. So when one of her kittens is getting greedy and wants some more milk, she will swat at them while hissing to tell them that they need to wait.

How long does it take for a cat to get used to a kitten?

The amount of time it will take for your cat to get used to a kitten is going to depend on a case by case basis. However, in general, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months for this process.

Keep in mind that although your cat may be used to having another cat in the house aside from them, there is a good chance it may take longer for them to be friendly with the other cat. If it happens at all.

Should you rehome the kitten if your cat smacks it?

Don’t immediately think about rehoming just because your kitten and your cat are not adjusting well to each other. It is important to give it time and try to get the two cats to co-exist at the very least.

While this is an option it should be taken as a last resort when no other options are available to you.  Before long, the reason your cat is smacking your kitten will likely just be because they want to play.

It is important to pay attention to the interactions between your cat and kitten, as the smacking may not necessarily be a reason to resort to rehoming. Give it time and don’t immediately go and put your kitten up for adoption.

Why do some cats not adjust well to a new kitten?

Some cats do not adjust well to a new kitten (is it staring? click here) because It comes down to personality. At the end of the day, if your cat is wary of other cats, it is going to be much harder for your cat to adjust to the new kitten. Even if your cat grows accustomed to your kitten, it is possible that a more shy cat will not ever be on friendly terms with the younger cat.

However, if your cat is more sociable and tends to love everyone and everything then it is much more likely that your cat will take much less time to adjust to the presence of a new cat in the house.