|
Q.: In August we picked up a stray kitten. He bites and is very aggressive. He is a little better but he is still unmanageable at times. His bites are through the skin.
In Sept. my son brought home a three week old kitten. The 4 month old will not accept him. He attacks him as if to kill him so we keep them separated. Unfortunately I have been nursing the newcomer and want to keep him. Our vet thinks it will work out when the 6 week old gets bigger and he can defend himself.
He has advised us to give the 4 month old extra attention when the kitten is around. We've given him treats, toys, stand over the two kittens trying to hold the older one. Nothing seems to work. The 4 month old is very intense and stubborn.
Examples are if he wants on the table I could take him down four times and he still will jump up. We are just sitting on the couch and he jumps up and attacks us with full force always biting. If we need to stop him from doing something and he doesn't want that he will do everything he can to bite and attack.
I know it sounds nutty to keep him, but he has his good points and is a lot friendlier than he used to be. He will be neutered Nov. 9th and on recommendation from the vet he will be declawed because of his aggressiveness.
Do you think we have any hope of keeping both of the kittens or should I find the younger one a safer home environment? I'm really attached to him and will try any solutions you may suggest.
A.: If you are prepared that this may be a long and demanding road and that the best you can hope for is that the older one will accept the existence of the younger, then I think it is possible. The problem is that this stray cat has probably lead an abandoned existence before he was so lucky to run into you and probably lacks a lot of social training from his mother and not least from siblings.
I don't think, however, that declawing is such a good idea. I know it is used a lot in the US; in Scandinavia where I live, it is not allowed unless the purpose is to heal a disease in the cat. Furthermore, if he hasn't got his claws he'll probably increase his biting instead - and if I had to choose, I myself would certainly prefer to be scratched by a cat rather than bitten!
If you have the possibility, I think you should separate them with a screen door, so they can get used to each other's scents and sounds without being able to harm each other.
If you haven't already tried this, I think you should use a water atomizer at the 4 month old every time he attacks you. This has to be done very consequently so if necessary you must have an atomizer "parked" at several strategic places so one is always at hand.
Good luck and do write again, if this doesn't help!
|
