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My older cat attacks my new cat. How to introduce them safely?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 1 year and 8 months old | 4 lbs

Older cat attacks new/younger cat to the point she hides and relies on me to bring her food and protect her using the litter box. Now, she barely comes out and meows to me in her hiding spot but won't come out. I don't know what to do.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 23rd, 2019

Poor Sally (I assume she's the younger cat)! I would slowly introduce them to each other. Take the kitten, and put her in her own room with her own food, water, and litter box. Keep the door closed, and for a few days, feed them both treats on other side of door so they associate each other's smell with a good experience. Then let the other cat in the kitten's room while the kitten is in a cat carrier. They can smell each other, but not be in contact. If either becomes upset or show signs of aggression, remove the second cat from the room, and try again later. Praise them when they interact appropriately. When they are interacting well with each other through the carrier, you can let the kitten out of her room, and see how she interacts with the other cat. Praise them when they interact appropriately, and separate them with any sign of aggression or upset. I would get a cat tree with lots of shelves to give the cats vertical space to get away from each other. I would keep the kitten in her room when you go out until they are comfortable with each other. I hope this helps!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 17th, 2020

    Hello. Is the older cat injuring the kitten? I have seen some very aggressive interactions as an older cat "teaches" a kitten its place. There can be lots of growling & screaming by the kitten, but if it only lasts for seconds & then for the most part, everyone seems OK, then these attacks will get less & less. I am not saying everyone will love one another, but peace should happen. If you are concerned, you can put the kitten back behind the gate, but at some point you will need to let them figure things out. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 13th, 2016

    Congrats on your new cat! It sounds like Crispin is trying to play with your existing cat, and he needs to learn appropriate play with the older cat. Kittens can be very playful, and it will take time for him to learn how to play appropriately with your cat. I would make sure you have a cat tree so your older cat has plenty of room to get away from the kitten. You are doing the right thing by keeping Crispin in a separate room, as introducing a new cat to the house should be done slowly. Take the kitten, and put him in his own room with his own food, water, and litter box. Keep the door closed, and for a few days, feed them both treats on other side of door so they associate each other's smell with a good experience. Then let the other cat in the kitten's room while the kitten is in a cat carrier. They can smell each other, but not be in contact. If either becomes upset or show signs of aggression, remove the second cat from the room, and try again later. Praise them when they interact appropriately. When they are interacting well with each other through the carrier, you can let Crispin out of his room, and see how he interacts with the other cat. Praise them when they interact appropriately, and separate them with any sign of aggression or upset.

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    4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 9th, 2017

    Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! I would suggest that the older cat should only have limited access to the kitten for not. When you want to take the kitten from her distract her first with a treat, food or a toy. Do not try to take the kitten until she is fully distracted. I would put her away in a separate room when guests are over until this behavior ends. I am almost certain it won't be forever, once the kitten grows up things will normalize. You can also try Feliway diffusers and spray to calm her. Worse case she should be completely separated from the kitten and started on Prozac. I hope this helps and I wish you the best! http://pet-supplies.drsfostersmith.com/search?w=feliway%20for%20cats

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