Cats can kill new kittens. This is because a cat’s hunting instinct is activated when it sees a new kitten and begins to hunt for food. While this might seem fun initially, it can be deadly for the kitten. If your cat appears predatory or aggressive towards a new arrival, you can try feeding them separately or keeping them in separate rooms at all times.
Reasons a Cat May Kill a New Kitten
A new kitten may kill another cat if it’s afraid of them or feels threatened. Other reasons include fighting for dominance and territory, being fed improperly, and not getting enough attention from their mother.
If you think your cat might be responsible for the death of a new kitten, take him to the veterinarian for an examination. The vet can determine the cause of death and make the appropriate recommendations to keep both cats safe. In the meantime, keep a close eye on your new kitty, and ensure you’re doing everything possible to ensure their safety.
Keeping all pets indoors can help minimize the chances of your cat attacking a kitten and other animals that may harbor harmful diseases. If your cat isn’t ordinarily aggressive towards other animals, you can rest easy knowing that he won’t hurt your kitten – but always keep them safe, just in case! Kittens also play an essential role in the reproductive cycle of a tomcat, so it’s important to be mindful of their safety when around them.
Never leave an animal unattended – even if they’re a kitten! An excellent way to assess the safety of a kitten is to keep them confined in a safe place until you can confirm they are house-trained. Always keep your cat supervised when around new arrivals.
Supervising an Older Cat With a Kitten
Relaxed Older Cat
Kittens are adorable, but they’re also vulnerable. That’s why leaving them with an older cat is a good idea – they’re more likely to look after them well. Older cats may be more relaxed and less interested in chasing and killing kittens than hunting prey. Additionally, older cats may be less likely to be aggressive towards other cats or humans, making them an excellent choice for a kitten’s primary caregiver.
However, it’s always best to watch them and be ready to intervene if necessary. If something happens and the kitten is harmed, get them to a veterinarian immediately.
Avoiding Mixing a Kitten With Your Cat
When mixing kittens with older cats, it’s essential to consider their personalities and adjust your precautions accordingly. If you mix them up, ensure you supervise them and take the necessary precautions. Kittens are also susceptible to deadly diseases if brought into contact with a sick cat or infected.
Female Cat and a Kitten
A female cat can undoubtedly kill a kitten, but this is usually accidental and the result of an attack by another pet or animal. Female cats are naturally territorial and may view a new arrival as competition for food or territory. Kittens struggle to defend themselves and often do not have the physical strength to fight back, which can lead to death from injury or even strangulation.
Prepare Their Territory Within Your Home
A general rule of thumb is that cats should have their territory within your home – this way, they know where their food and toys are. So it’s safe to say that cats are one of the most popular household pets in the world. And for a good reason – they’re adorable, cuddly, and playful. But one thing that many cat owners worry about is their cat attacking another kitten.
If you’re worried about your cat attacking another kitten, consider getting a neutered male or spayed female cat instead of a tomcat (male cats who have not been castrated). Be sure to provide plenty of scratching posts and elevated areas for your kitty to keep it stimulated and healthy.
If you don’t want to give your cat its territory, it can be kept in a small room or on a leash outside the home. So, the bottom line is this – kitten safety is.
Listen for Hissing
If you’ve ever had a cat, you know that they hiss when feeling threatened or angry. This hissing noise is known as a “fear vocalization,” and it’s something that kittens do to communicate with their caregivers. Kittens are adorable, but they can be a little temperamental. So that’s why it’s essential to be cautious when introducing them to each other.
Unfortunately, this noise can be very unpleasant for new kittens and lead to them reacting negatively. So if things get out of hand, it may be best to speak with a vet about neutering or spaying your cats as an option.
Introduce Them Again
While predicting how a cat will react to another cat is impossible, your feline friends will most likely get along fine. However, if you’re concerned that your new arrival might cause conflict or separation anxiety in your existing pet, you may want to keep them separated for the first few days.
If things continue to go well and both cats enjoy their time together, gradually introduce them more and more until they are completely integrated into each other’s lives. If things don’t stay peaceful for any reason – be it stress from moving or personality conflicts between the two cats – then take immediate action and consult a veterinarian about re-homing one of the animals.
In the meantime, try setting up some basic rules, such as prohibiting fighting or climbing on furniture, to minimize potential disagreements.
