My older cat keeps biting my new kittens neck! ?

Question

I have had the kitten about 3 weeks now and I have had the older cat about 5 years. I have to keep them seperated all day while we're at work, then we bring them out together when we are home.

The older cat smells and licks the kitten like he is OK with him at first, but then it almost seems like he panics and freaks out. He meows crazy and is really jumpy and he will paw at him and bite his neck. I don't think he is doing it hard and he stops right away when I call his name sternly.

Then when we seperate them the older cat meows and whines at the bedroom door like he misses the kitten! I'm so confused! I'm afraid they will never be able to be left alone.

What can I do to help them along and why does the older cat act so weird? BTW, older cat is neutered and I'm very careful to pay him special attention whenever the kitten is out of the bedroom.

Answer 1

i think older cat is establishing authority...you can be in my house, but remember...it's mine...leave them alone, they will sort this out on their own.  they will be safe to leave together

Answer 2

jelousy maybe

Answer 3

Biting of the neck generally indicates a dominating behavior.  Many male cats (neutered or not) will bite the neck of the other cat to subdue them.  I would recommend you fix the kitten as soon as possible.  As well, try to put each of their bedding (like a blanket that they each sleep on) in each other's beds.  That way they will get used to each other's smell or company.  You need to be patient.  My older female calico still hates my one year younger male and they've been together for 7 years.  They don't fight, but she hisses at him and will not tolerate his presence very much.  Likely your cats will either start to get along, or they will became indifferent or slightly hostile.  I doubt they will fight though.  Give it time.

Answer 4

it might feel like the kitten is it's kin...

Answer 5

cats have their own terms of endearment

Answer 6

hey it is saying this is my house  get to the bottom of the pack where

you belong

Answer 7

My older cat would pick on the younger one when we first got him, too.  I think it's to let the kitten know the older one is dominant, as others said.  There are plenty of web sites that give tips for introducing a new cat.  Here's one http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement10...

Answer 8

I DON'T think it is trying to hurt the kitten..

just make the kitten know HE IS ALFA cat.

so just watch it and make sure it is gentle.

Answer 9

Sounds like you have one confused cat.  One minute he's courting it.  The next dominating it.  It is infatuated and protective of the kitten  I suppose the older cat's never been around a kitten before and doesn't know how to feel.  Like on of those movies when some loner guy has to take care of a kid.

Answer 10

The older cat thinks that this kitten is his/her baby. They bite (Not hard) on there upper necks on the top half of the body when they are standing to pick them up and move them. The whinoing is coming from him/her because it thinks it has lost its kitten and such, which can be stressful on that cat.

Answer 11

You need to seperate them because if your older cat keeps on doing that soon it will get a really bad soar.

Answer 12

He is not bitting them, he is carrying them around. Lol, that's the only way that cats know how to lift their babies/kittens

Answer 13

Sounds like your older guy is courting your kitten. Don't worry about it- it's natural and kind of sweet if you think about it lol. I don't see why you can't leave them together. Sounds like they're getting to be the best of friends.  

Answer 14

I'm not getting exactly what is going on, but mother cats bite kittens on the neck to carry them. It looks scary, but the back of the neck is tough on kittens for the older cats to carry them with. Cats paw at each other for play, or to hit, it's hard to tell which.

Answer 15

He's just getting used to him...If the kitten isn't crying and meowing than it's no big deal...Leave them be together during the day..They get used to each other faster..Don't worry so much...Everything will turn out ok..don't keep them separated all day...Not good...

Answer 16

Thats how they move them around

Answer 17

the older cat has been bitten by a vampire.

i advise you rub some garlic over your cat and hope to god it isn't too late.

Answer 18

mother cats move their kittens from place to place by biting their neck and moving them so if ur cat is a female then maybe its trying to be a mother to it and if its a male then maybe its tr yin to protect it

Answer 19

Maybe he's just being affectionate to the kitten.  If it isn't hurting the kitten, I'm sure it's fine to let him do that.  But if you really want him to stop, dont just call his name, spray his paws with water or yell a little bit.  good luck! And give him treats when he is calmly grooming the other cat.