My two new kittens fight!

Question

Recently, my husband and I got two new kittens. They are not from the same family and are 2 weeks apart in age and are both females. I had the first one, Dolce, one week longer than the new one, Versace. Dolce gets very angry when Versace comes near her. She hisses, growls and even raises her paws. Versace is from a litter of playful kittens and I believe Dolce isn't. It's gotten so bad that Dolce hisses at me at times. I'm heartbroken and want to keep both. I know it's only been 2 days and maybe should stick it out, but I have a 2 year old child in the home too. I don't want her to get into any of this. Please, any advice would be so greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Give them at least a couple of weeks to settle in. Cats do a lot of hissing and spitting and whapping each other while they are getting settled. (like toddlers)  For kittens, being able to explode in hisses and claws is their only defense ... don't surprise them, approach from the front so they see your hands, and they will calm down.

Feed them separately for a while, but as kittens they aren't really able to hurt each other ... it can look and sound like there is going to be bloodshed and cat fur all over but it's usually just noise and bluff.

The one making the most noise is the one most frightened and defensive.  

Answer 2

you got two kittens with a 2 yr old in the house?

are you serious?

Answer 3

First of all, female cats are very aggressive. I had two male cats and brought a female cat into the home. She picks a fight with them all the time! Since it has only been two days, I would give it about 2 weeks. It took my male cats 2 weeks to stop hissing and for my female cat to stop growling at them. It takes time.. be careful with your child. I don't think the kitties will hurt them on purpose but if they are in a middle of a fight by accident that could happen.

Answer 4

you just tried the "total immersion" style of introducing a new cat to a home with a cat. it never works.

separate the two of them. let them smell each other through closed doors for a week, then introduce with supervision. it will take a few weeks, but they will get along.

give each one a spot to call their own, a closet or under a bed. if they get scared, they can hide there.

the kittens will be too busy trying to not get stepped on by your daughter to hurt her.

Answer 5

Dolce and Versace, two competitive brands :D

Answer 6

This happened with my two cats also when they were little.  Did you keep them seperated (in different rooms behind door) before introducing them?  They will need to get used to each other's smell. Dolce will most definately be mad at first.  She was there first!  As far as your child, try using a gate to seperate your child from both kitties until they start getting along.

My kitties were introduced after spending days in the same house together, but seperated by a door.  I put the newer, smaller kitty in the bedroom, while the older kitty got to roam the house like she normally did.  The both of them would put their paws under the door and swat at each other.  Sometimes we heard growling.  Then we let the older one in the bedroom while holding the younger one and let them sniff each other.  We did this several times for days.  We always loaded the older kitty up with affection after the little visits, to let her know she is not being replaced.  After about 2 weeks, they became the best of friends.  Today, they are older and lazier, but they still sometimes play together and l**k each other.  It's just so sweet.  

With time, your kitties will be running and playing together too.

Good luck.

Answer 7

I was going to tell you to stick it out until I got to the part about the 2 years old child. I'm not sure it would be a good idea to keep the two cats unless you can put the two cats in a room until they can behave like good little kitties. I'm not sure that will help them either but it might let them know that you are the boss and not them. My cat will hiss and growl and even try to bit me but that is because I am playing and she doesn't want to play. I understand this to be different than your two cats. Try putting them in a room alone and see what happens.

Answer 8

Stick it out.  They just need time to adjust.  As any good parent, you should just make sure you keep a close eye on the two year old.  and even put the kittens in a LARGE room so they have room to get away from each other but can smell each other.  They will get along in the long run and you have to be patient.  Also, pet them both one right after the other so they get the scent on each other and play with them with strings and stuff to try to get them to play with each other.    

Answer 9

kittens get used to eachother fatser than cats dont worry

Answer 10

first of all, are you sure they're fighting cuz kittens wack,nip and growl

at each other and they're playing. but my advice 4 a girl who lived with cats for years, play with them equally. they could be jelous with each other. AND DONT FORCE THEM TO PLAY,EAT,SLEEP (ect.) WITH EACH OTHER!!!!!!! let them get used to each other at there own pace.

Answer 11

I have 2 kittens from 2 different litters...they did the same for about 2 days.  Try keeping them seperated while your not around but let them wrestle around while your there, before you know it they will be inseperable.  Another trick is, keep them in seperate rooms with a blanket or towel the other one sleeps on so they get used to the others scent.

Answer 12

My cats did this as well. They got over it in about a month. My older kitten hissed and even attacked the baby kitten....but now they are the best of friends. Just give it time. It's normal. They are being territorial. But soon you'll see they will start warming up to each other. Good luck, hun.