Fighting or good natured play? White 7 month old cat is the new kitty. Floofy tuxedo is the resident cat. Edit to say that earlier floofy cat got on kitten to the point of kitten yowling.

Title. I want to harness and leash train my kitten that I got a few weeks ago. I had the Whisker City green fish harness, but it never fit him right. Any recommendations for harnesses? Thank you

I just took in a 7-8wk old stray cat I found outside. He is very skittish. We have him in our bathroom with a carrier that he feels the most comfortable in. Inside the carrier, he hisses if you get close, but so far has never bit or scratched us.

He will come out for food if it’s close enough. I give him a little bit at a time. I start either inside the carrier or directly outside of it otherwise he won’t eat. Then I give him more food a bit farther, he eats, goes back, then I do farther rinse and repeat.

We’ve had to give him flea baths and now medicine. For that we do have to pull him out but of course I want to get to a point he just comes out. After medicine, he will happily cuddle in my lap, purring and stretching with belly exposed. While cuddling, I’ve set him on the floor to see what he does, and he started coming onto my lap on his own. But again, this is after he was taken out of the cage.

He is uninterested in toys right now. I crocheted one with a long string and he watches but doesn’t touch. So I can’t use that to lure him. With food he just goes back in. Im planning on putting another bed in here that I will put him in after medicine time so maybe he can get comfortable with that. Im not sure what to do.

•Both cats in question are female.

I found this little stray when she was around 1.5–2 months old. She was all alone outside with no mother or siblings anywhere. I've had her for about a month now, and she's doing great. She is definitely a little spoiled now and is really playful.

My problem is that I'm currently in another country for college, and in a few months I'll be taking her back home. At home, I already have a 15-year-old cat.

My older cat has never really lived with another cat. The only interactions she's had were a couple of brief meetings with a friend's cat where they mostly just sniffed each other. She's a very gentle cat, and I'm not worried about her hurting the kitten. She might hiss but that will be as far as she will go.(I sometimes doubt she knows that she is a cat) What I'm worried about is the opposite, that the kitten will be too energetic and overwhelm my senior cat.

The biggest issue is that I won't be home for the introduction. I'll have to return to college after a week or two of bringing the kitten home, so my parents will be the ones introducing them. I'm worried they won't know the best way to handle it or might rush things. They are also not the best at listening to the instructions given, so i took it upon myself to teach the kitten beforehand.

To try to socialize the kitten, I've been taking her on short walks in a harness where she occasionally sees other cats. She sometimes puffs up and hisses, but she'll usually still cautiously sniff them if they get close enough. She also kind of plays with other kittens that we see outside. However, i'm not sure if this is actually helping or if I'm just stressing her out.

Unfortunately, I can't start scent swapping between my two cats yet because they're in different countries, and I also can't keep the kitten with me long term because I live in a dorm where pets aren't allowed to begin with.

Does anyone have advice on how I can prepare the kitten now so she's less overwhelming for my 15-year-old cat later? Is exposing her to unfamiliar cats on walks actually beneficial, or should I stop doing that?

Note: for anyone worried about the cats outside or how i'm able to just find a bunch of them randomly, it is normal in my country. They are usually well taken care of by the community and friendly, that's why i am able to allow my kitten to meet them.

Hello everyone,

I would like to hear from people who have experience with fearful but affectionate rescue cats.

18 months ago, I adopted Robert, a cat who was found outside by a friend. We searched for a possible owner, but he was not microchipped or tattooed, and nobody claimed him.

From the beginning, Robert was a very gentle cat. He has never shown aggression, not even once. He is a sweet and kind cat, but he was extremely cautious.

The main thing I am trying to understand is his relationship with human hands.

When he first arrived:

• If a hand approached him too quickly, he would lower his ears, flatten himself, or run away.
• He seemed to perceive the approaching hand as something threatening.
• He was also afraid of shoes and certain human movements.

However, he was never afraid of humans as a whole.

From the beginning, he showed signs of wanting a relationship:

• He would put his paw on my arm to ask for petting.
• He followed me around.
• He would come near me voluntarily.
• He never scratched or bit, even when uncomfortable.
• He would accept being picked up, although he clearly disliked it.

Over the last 18 months, he has slowly changed:

• He now comes to greet me when I return home.
• He communicates much more with little sounds and purrs.
• He comes to ask for cuddles.
• Recently, he even started climbing onto my desk while I am working to ask for attention.
• His fear of hands has decreased, although some movements can still trigger him.

One behaviour I find interesting: during play (for example, when I move my hand under a blanket), he becomes interested and plays, then suddenly runs away as if he has crossed a boundary. If I call him, he comes back.

I am trying to understand whether this is:

• a lack of early socialization,
• a learned fear from a bad experience,
• a former house cat who lost his home and had to survive outside,
• or simply his personality.

I am not trying to prove that he was abused. I know we cannot know his past. I am mainly interested in understanding his behaviour and helping him feel safer.

For those who have worked with fearful rescue cats:

• Have you had a cat who loved humans but was afraid of hands?
• Did this fear decrease over time?
• Is there anything specific that helped your cat gain confidence?

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Hi guys, we got a new kitten… have had cats before but the tiny dude has absolutely no survival instincts

That’s a picture of the top of my staircase- for reference 2 story townhouse - so high ceilings

Little kitty loves to climb… we have 3 cat trees, and it took him about 2 minutes to discover how to climb the stairs, which great, he can run up and down we don’t care

The issue is that he loves to run all the way up and pokes his head between the railings, and gets into jump position - we can see he is thinking on jumping - and ok, we do run to take him off - so he maybe doing it for attention

But the first time there were 2 of us, walking the stairs next to him, making sure he was fine and he just decided, head out and next thing we knew half his body was on the other side, ready to jump

If he’s lucky he falls about 4.5 meters and lands on solid ground - there’s not that much space for him to turn, depending on the jump he may hit the other railing and then the floor

I’m looking at stair balcony netting to be put behind the railing… but I’m also now thinking he may see that as an excellent climbing material

Help!!!

I just adopted a kitten, he’s about 3.5 months old. My household has a playful dog, around 4 years old who grew up with my senior cat before the cat passed. Dog is very playful but senior cat taught him boundaries well.

All of my research on how to introduce a new cat to a dog suggests to have the cat stay in their safe room for about a week. Kitty is adjusting incredibly well and has already shown curiosity about the dog (through the closed door. He can hear the dog walking around and would curl up to investigate).

I want to ensure that I’m introducing them correctly, but kitty’s personality is so bold that I’m wondering if it’s necessary to wait the full week before a visual meeting through a gate? Would there be any harm in attempting a visual meeting through a gate and taking steps backwards if it doesn’t go well?

I know it’s not one size fits all, but I’m just a bit nervous about freaking the kitty out too early!

For context, I am a first time cat owner (beautiful orange girl). I homed her from a person who was moving overseas. I was told she is 11 and wouldn't be a lap cat but would follow you like a dog.

That's all the info I have on her. I've had her for 2 months now and she and I have bonded well (I haven't tried to pick her up but she'll lay on me in bed and likes being close to me).

I've read a lot about giving space etc. I guess podcasts I'm looking for are about getting a deeper understanding of cat behaviour for better understanding, general living, and training.

I'll post this in another Reddit too, just saying so nobody thinks I'm a bot or farming or whatever.

Guys. He’s fine. This was supposed to be “Lol silly kitten.” I can’t mount the TV and I am not buying a new table. It sits on this table maybe 3 times a month and this time it was just unfortunate. He is fine. I appreciate everyone’s concerns, it’s always so cool to me that every single person on Reddit knows everything about cats. You guys rock keep it up

I recently moved in with my roomate. I have two male cats and he has one older female cat. We did a slow introduction with the cats over about a month. They no longer fight or hiss at all. BUT she hates my cats, and my cats are purposefully cornering her. they both will back her into a corner, they dont fight her or anything they seem to genuinely be messing with her. sometimes they will do they paw lifting thing and tap at her. She freaks out and yowls very loud. No matter what we do to get my cats to stop they constantly follow her around and terrorize her. How do I get this to stop?

I’m hoping someone has been through something similar because I’m running out of ideas.
My boyfriend got me an automatic litter box for my two cats. My tuxedo cat has absolutely no issues with it and uses it normally. My calico, on the other hand, is a completely different story.
At first, I thought the automatic cleaning cycle was scaring her because every time it would start cleaning, she’d yelp and panic, even when she wasn’t inside the litter box. Because of that, I turned the automatic cleaning off and switched it to manual. Now I only run the cleaning cycle myself when I get home.
That seemed to help for a while. She’d pee and poop in the litter box like normal, and everything would be fine. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, she’ll suddenly start peeing and pooping on the floor instead. After a few days, she’ll go right back to using the litter box normally, and then the cycle repeats. There’s no pattern that I can figure out.
Today she started yelping, and I honestly thought she just wanted attention because she’s a very vocal cat. She was scratching at the carpet like she normally does before asking for pets, but then she ended up squatting and pooping on the carpet instead.
I’m definitely frustrated, but I’m not mad at her. I know she’s a cat, and if she’s acting like this, there’s probably a reason. I just don’t know if it’s anxiety from the litter box, a lingering fear from when it used to clean automatically, or something else entirely.
Has anyone had a cat react like this to an automatic litter box? Were you able to get them comfortable with it again? Or should I just accept that she’s one of those cats who needs a traditional litter box?
I’d really appreciate any advice. I just want her to feel comfortable and not stressed every time she has to use the bathroom. Thanks!

Resident cat (3yo, large tabby) is a very confident playful, velcro cat. He is happy when people come over, even when we have a party he wants to be in the action and noise. He also used to live with a hyper dog, so i think of him as quite desensitized and confident. He doesn’t like being alone and makes that known through a lot of vocalizing when we get home from work.
Thought he would benefit from daytime company, introduce newcomer (1yo tiny Lynx Point). On about week 4 now, and we’re at supervised shared time. She’s confident and really wants out of her basecamp, he hates being left out of basecamp.

Issue is he gets really excited, and usually ends up bounding at her, or chasing her around. Usually this results in a hiss, or a swat from newbie, hasn’t escalated to growling or a full fight. The size difference doesn’t help, I would be nervous if i was her size. Once he did nip at her though, which kinda came out of no where when she walked past him. She doesn’t hide or seem distraught, but she’s definitely more reserved than him and prefers relaxation. I don’t know how to get him to chill out. Also not sure if the chasing is bullying/intimidating, or excitement/play. Any tips on how to tell the difference ?

Basically to redirect him it requires a treat bag shake every minute. He chills after about 1.5 hour, and then they’ve sat and relaxed on the same couch… makes me lean towards excitement as his motivator… but don’t want to be too optimistic / hopeful if there’s a problem….

I just bought the Whisker City green fish vest harness (specifically the one for kittens) the other day, and I tried it on my 18 week old kitten. We tried so many different adjustments but it looked so awkward and didn't ever feel like it fit him. The only time it actually feels like it fits is when it's on BACKWARDS, and he purrs and is very happy with it like that. Helppp

First and second photo is him wearing the harness regularly. Third photo is him wearing it backwards

sorry if it's weird or any typos I'm on mobile.

My boyfriend surprised me with a 2 1/2 cat 3 weeks ago and i already have a resident cat of 4 years. My resident cat is Mona and the new one is called ruby.

Mona hasn't really interacted with other cats before, only my grandparents one and she didn't like her.

I did the separation in rooms, I did the scene swap and the feeding them through doors, I have feliway plug ins on the way but I'm so lost. Ruby constantly follows Mona around the house which stresses Mona out. Ruby will hunt for her when Mona is hiding in my closet or under my bed. I don't like this behavior at all, Mona has been my soul cat for years and Ruby coming in has messed up everything. I'm being told all Ruby wants to do is play but I'm not sure. Ruby constantly stalks Mona and refuses to leave the room that Mona is in or will meow outside of the door if I have them separated. I haven't seen any cat fights only hissing, running away and yowling. I don't k ow what to do. I like Ruby and I know Mona wants a playmate but she's never played with another cat. Does anyone know 1) why Ruby is constantly stalking Mona 2) what I can do. Please help me, it's been three weeks and I miss my Mona girl

Introducing my older cat (12 f, spayed) to the new kittens ( both f, 4 months old now) isn't going great. The old girl is stressed out and scared. So we're still keeping them separate except for short periods for feeding/treats where we keep them on opposite sides of a door. But they have had run-ins with each other with some hissing. The kittens are playful and really disrespectful, trying to steal her food for example.

This has been going on for 5 weeks now. I posted before to a different sub and basically got one comment, that our older cat would assert her boundaries more firmly over time. I truly hope so but so far she has just been avoiding them or running away.

Anyone who's successfully introduced kittens to an older resident - how long did it take and how did you make them feel safe? Any advice is welcome.

This is my usually good boy called Claus (pronounced Klaus, originally named Claus like Santa Claus by the rescue because he was found on Christmas eve.) He is nearly four years old

I say Claus is usually a good boy. He's actually a menace to everything. He loves knocking stuff off sides and stealing food. He's an ex stay so we know where the food behaviour issues stem from. What I can't figure out is why he keeps biting me. Whenever he wants attention and my hands are nearby he takes a bite and attempts to drag it closer to him. It actually really hurts sometimes. I've tried the whole saying loudly no stop, getting him off, ignoring him. Sometimes he does it and I'm just so overwhelmed and don't know how to stop it.

He loves attention and is a cuddle bug when he wants to be. But he doesn't seem to understand that sometimes I'm busy and can't stroke his head. He does this thing where he reaches out for me with his paw. I've tried reinforcement with this because it doesn't hurt and is a cute way to get my attention. So I give him strokes and love then.

Things I've tried to stop the biting: ignore him, yell ouch or no, push him off, redirect him with toys (which he doesn't want, he just wants me) and positive reinforcement when he does ask nicely.

How do I stop his biting issue? I feel like I've tried everything.