Your cat’s behavior can be very puzzling to pet owners.
If he’s acting differently than usual, you can consult a veterinarian. However, you can also attempt to figure out the cause of his odd behavior.
When your favorite feline seems agitated, it’s essential to be gentle. Redirecting his behavior can help him behave more comfortably in future.
So, why is older cat playing rough with kitten?
A cat owner recently took a picture of her older cat playing with her kitten.
Her older cat had claws out and was biting on the kitten’s neck. The kitten was crying and trying to get away.
The owner was concerned about the kitten and tried to intervene. However, the cat owner was worried her older cat would attack the kitten.
She posted the picture on Facebook and asked people for advice. People in the comments said the cat owner should get the kitten neutered and suggest she only let the cats play together when supervised.
Some people also suggested the cat owner separate the cats to avoid fights between them in the future.
Why Is Older Cat Playing Rough With Kitten?
Older cats often play rough with kittens, and it’s normal behavior.
Kittens are full of energy and often want to play with older cats, but older cats often play too rough and end up hurting the kittens.
However, it’s not normal for older cats to seem angry and mean when playing with kittens.
It’s also not normal for an older cat to play roughly with kittens all the time. If an older cat seems angry or mean when playing, you should take the kitten away from it.
If an older cat always plays roughly with the kitten, you should take both cats to a vet.
How to Stop Older Cat From Playing Rough With Kitten
Reward Positive Behavior
Rewarding excellent behavior while the cats are still young will help make them more comfortable around each other when they are adults.
The idea behind this method is to reward positive behaviors while the cat is still young and then stop rewarding those behaviors as the pet gets older.
When the adult cats are calm around each other, you can play with them together more often without worries of a fight breaking out.
You can also leave the two alone without supervision when you know they are calm and relaxed with each other.
Many elderly cats are unaware of their boundaries or even if they are causing a problem to other pets in the household.
This implies you should get a bag and fill it with several items that will scare your cats when they come across them.
If you notice the adult cats getting into a fight over a toy, you should remove that toy from circulation until they can get along better.
During Playtime, Keep an Eye on Both Cats.
When it comes time for both cats to play, make sure you keep an eye on both of them to make sure they’re safe while playing together.
If you notice one is getting aggressive with the other, separate them immediately until you can get to a vet to see what’s up with them.
This is a beautiful concept, however it must start when the cats are very young and continue to reward good behaviors when they are adults.
It’s critical to behave with purpose, which might include paying close attention to your cats’ behavior and reacting appropriately based on the situation at hand.
It’s best to be in the same room with the cats and react appropriately to their behaviors.
If the cats are playing too roughly, separate them from each other immediately.
If they get too rowdy, separate them from each other until they calm down again.
This allows them to play without the worry of them getting hurt or hurt each other unintentionally.
When the adult cats are calm around each other, you can play with them together more often without worries of a fight breaking out.
You can also leave the two alone without supervision when you know they are calm and relaxed with each other.
While you are around, the cat s can be more playful than they would be if you were to leave them alone in a room together for long periods of time.
This approach ensures your feline friends feel safe and loved at all times.
Take Them to a Vet for a Checkup When a Fight Breaks Out
When a fight between your adult cats and breaks out, it’s important to take them to a vet as soon as possible to make sure everything is okay with them.
A vet can rule out any serious health concerns and get them both checked out to determine the cause of the fight.
Get the Older Cat Used to the Scent of the Kitten
When an adult cat is roughhousing a kitten at playtime, the older cat may act aggressively toward the kitten if it hasn’t already started interacting with the young animal.
When there are other cats about, the elder feline may need to get used to the scent of the younger one before it can get used to its presence.
You will have a calmer cat on your hands if you can do this, which is possible if the other felines in the house are tolerant of the young feline as well.
The elder cat will get used to the scent of the younger one if it is given a treat that contains its scent on it.
Cats need time to acclimate to the smell of a new animal in their house, so it may take several days for the elder feline to adjust to the new smells in the young one’s presence.
Make Separate Eating Areas
Cats value their feeding time, and the older cat may not appreciate sharing it at the same time as the younger animal.
This is typical in the wild, where larger animals eat first because they are bigger and therefore eat more calories than smaller animals do.
It gets 10 times worse when another kitten enters the picture. So have a separate feeding area for the kittens and separate feeding areas for the adults, if possible.
This is why you should get your adult cats spayed or neutered as soon as possible, so they don’t reproduce and create other litters of kittens that can compete for food and attention with your new pet.
Set up two bowls, but keep them in different areas of the house where the older and younger animals won’t see them as competition for food.
Feed the Kittens First at the Feeding Time Every Night
When the older cats are eating and the kittens are still hungry, put the littler ones down to eat first.
They’ll usually be ready to eat first because they weigh less and need more food than the senior kitties do.
Remember to place the cat food out of reach of the puppies.
Also Read: How To Get A Stray Cat Out Of Your House
Final Words
When an adult cat is roughhousing with a kitten, it may seem like no big deal, but if the older cat really wants to play with the kitten, it will probably paw or bite it.
This implies you’ll need to step in and separate the two if the older one is acting aggressively toward the young one.
This involves utilizing high-quality accessories, enabling the cats to interact with each other in a safe environment that is free of damage.
These little details will ensure that both cats enjoy the experience while not getting injured in the process.
If this issue is not addressed in time, the adult cat can completely dominate and bully the kitten to the point where the young one has no choice but to flee in fear.
This is why it is ideal to separate the two before the aggression starts and work on it until they are comfortable with each other.
Use the advice provided here to assist your pet in getting along with the new arrival in your family.
You want to train it correctly the first time because once you stop training, it becomes much more difficult to retrain the cat.
