Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

How to stop my kitten from rough playing and attacking my older cat?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 14 lbs

My kitten keeps pouncing, launchingmy older cat which makes her hisses and aggressive toward him but he just keeps pouncing scarying her mad and hidin

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on September 12th, 2016

First, make sure your older cat has places she can hide and get away from the kitten. High perches, a tunnel, a cat tower, make sure that there are plenty of places for both of the to scratch, climb and hide without interfering with the other. And makes sure you play with the kitten a lot, both to tire him out and give your older can some breathing room. A kitten's life is all about play, and play is all about prey. Every race down the hallway, every pounce from behind a door, every swat and nip is a display of a kitten's hunting skills, instincts that are just as strong in today’s housecat as they were in her ancestors thousands of years ago. To a kitten, everything in the house is potential prey, including you. A kitten's first playmates are his mother and littermates, and from them he learns how to inhibit his bite. A kitten separated from his family too soon may not have learned that lesson and doesn't know when to stop. Also, if people use their hands and/or feet instead of toys to play, the kitten may learn that rough play is okay. In most cases, it's not too difficult to teach your kitten or young adult cat that rough play isn't acceptable. Don't let your kitten play with your hands or feet (or any other body part). Use a toy when playing with him. Drag a toy, preferably a fishing pole-type toy that keeps your hands from kitty’s mouth and claws, along the floor to encourage your kitten to pounce on it, or throw a toy for him to chase. Some kittens will even bring the toy back to be thrown again. Give your kitten something to wrestle with, like a soft stuffed animal about his size, so he can grab it, bite it, and kick it with his back feet. This is one of the ways kittens play with each other, especially when they're young. It's also one of the ways they try to play with human feet and hands, so it's important to provide this type of alternative play target. Encourage play with a "wrestling toy" by rubbing it against your kitten's belly when he wants to play roughly—and be sure to get your hand out of the way as soon as he accepts the toy. Don't hit or yell at your kitten when she nips or pounces. This will only make her fearful of you and she may start to avoid you. The idea is to train her, not punish her. Equip yourself with the right training tools: toys, toys, toys, and a water pistol.

Vote icon

10Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

  • Image profile

    Answered By Debi Matlack

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on June 1st, 2019

    A kitten's life is all about play, and play is all about prey. Every race down the hallway, every pounce from behind a door, every swat and nip is a display of a kitten's hunting skills, instincts that are just as strong in today’s housecat as they were in his ancestors thousands of years ago. To a kitten, everything in the house is potential prey, including you. A kitten's first playmates are his mother and littermates, and from them he learns how to inhibit his bite. A kitten separated from his family too soon may not have learned that lesson and doesn't know when to stop. Also, if people use their hands and/or feet instead of toys to play, the kitten may learn that rough play is okay. In most cases, it's not too difficult to teach your kitten or young adult cat that rough play isn't acceptable. Don't let your kitten play with your hands or feet (or any other body part). Use a toy when playing with her. Drag a toy, preferably a fishing pole-type toy that keeps your hands from kitty’s mouth and claws, along the floor to encourage your kitten to pounce on it, or throw a toy for him to chase. Some kittens will even bring the toy back to be thrown again. Give your kitten something to wrestle with, like a soft stuffed animal about her size, so he can grab it, bite it, and kick it with his back feet. This is one of the ways kittens play with each other, especially when they're young. It's also one of the ways they try to play with human feet and hands, so it's important to provide this type of alternative play target. Encourage play with a "wrestling toy" by rubbing it against your kitten's belly when he wants to play roughly—and be sure to get your hand out of the way as soon as he accepts the toy. Don't hit or yell at your kitten when he nips or pounces. This will only make him fearful of you and he may start to avoid you. The idea is to train him, not punish him. Equip yourself with the right training tools: toys, toys, toys, and a water pistol.

    Vote icon

    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 21st, 2019

    I recommend to intervene when the play gets too rough and give the bigger cat a time out until she calms down. Once the kitten is bigger, she will be better able to defend herself and run away from the bigger cat. This may just be rough play but the kitten is likely much smaller than the adult and could get hurt by accident. I recommend to keep the kitten separated from the adult any time you are not home and at bed time, this will make sure there are no accidents until the rough play calms down naturally or the kitten gets bigger. Here is a link about introducing cats that may help: https://www.petcoach.co/article/bringing-home-a-new-cat-or-kitten/ I hope this helps and best of luck.

    Vote icon

    3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

    Published on August 8th, 2018

    It is normal for kittens to play by pouncing and jumping on things. Unfortunately, your older cat likely doesn't want to play with a kitten, so the key is to tire Mimi out without her trying to play with your older cat. The first thing I would work on is environmental enrichment for Mimi. This website has a number of good ideas for that. https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats One of my favorite things for cats is a no bowl feeding system like Doc & Phoebe ( https://docandphoebe.com/ ) that requires them to "hunt" for their food. This is one of the best activities to keep kittens busy. You could also try a feeding ball. I also recommend using laser pointers and interactive cat toys like a Cat Dancer ( http://www.catdancer.com/ ) to get kittens to play more appropriately. The key is to use a large variety of toys and other things to keep Mimi busy and tired, so she leaves your older cat alone. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and gives you some ideas. Thanks for using PetCoach.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
What to do if my cat has a small hole with pus coming from its ear?
Is your cat's ear hole oozing pus? A Petco vet explains potential infections like abscesses from bites, advising immediate vet care, antibiotics, and recovery.
Updated on September 23, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
Why is my new pet biting? Is she stressed or scared in her new home?
New pet biting? A Licensed Vet Tech shares expert advice on how to gently acclimate your new companion to their home, reduce stress, and build trust. Get guidance for a happy pet.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How to keep a pet mom and her newborn babies warm and calm?
Support your pet mom and newborn babies! A certified vet offers advice on ideal room temperature, minimizing stress, and quiet intervention for food & water.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My hamster is suddenly bloated, angry, and biting. What should I do?
Is your Chinese dwarf hamster suddenly bloated, angry, and biting nonstop? A DVM explains pain signs and urges immediate vet care for his distended abdomen.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
Why is my degu acting strange, lying flat, and barking at night?
Is your degu acting strange, lying flat, or barking at night? A licensed vet tech offers insights into potential causes like new mats, territorial stress, or injury.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Dog licking paws, fur loss, and jaw wound: Could it be allergies?
Is your Shih-Tzu crossbreed biting his feet, losing fur, or has a wound? A trusted vet explains these classic allergy signs and advises on treatments like Apoquel or medicated shampoo.
Updated on September 23, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored