Should Kitten Owners Allow Attacks From Older Cats?

Deciding whether or not to let your kitten interact with an older cat can be a difficult decision. On the one hand, you want your kitten to learn how to socialize with other cats, but on the other hand, you don’t want them to get hurt. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to let your kitten interact with an older cat is up to you, but there are a few things you should keep in mind.

1. Benefits of supervised interaction

There are several benefits to letting your kitten interact with an older cat in a supervised setting.

Socialization: Kittens need to learn how to interact with other cats in order to develop healthy social skills. Interacting with an older cat can help your kitten learn how to play, groom, and communicate with other cats.
Exercise: Playing with an older cat can help your kitten get the exercise they need to stay healthy and happy.
Mental stimulation: Interacting with an older cat can help your kitten stay mentally stimulated and prevent boredom.

2. Risks of unsupervised interaction

There are also some risks associated with letting your kitten interact with an older cat unsupervised.

Injury: Older cats can be more aggressive than kittens, and they may accidentally injure your kitten during play.
Infection: Older cats may carry diseases that can be transmitted to kittens, such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
Stress: If your kitten is not properly socialized, they may be stressed or anxious when interacting with an older cat.

If you decide to let your kitten interact with an older cat, it is important to supervise them closely. Make sure that the older cat is not aggressive towards your kitten, and that your kitten is not too rough with the older cat. You should also make sure that both cats are up-to-date on their vaccinations.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your kitten has a positive and safe experience interacting with an older cat.