Resident cat aggressive towards kittens

[ChristineL]

Hi @Dr. Jean Hofve, @Dr. Christina and @Dr. Jeff,

I adopted two kittens (8-week old) in late November 2025 and introduced the kittens by following the typical protocol for cat introduction to my resident cat (around 2yo). There were hiccups in their interactions (mainly aggression from my resident cat) with moments of peace where the resident cat would groom the little ones...but lately, the resident cat's behavior (and mood) had dropped in her BEAM. She consistently hisses, growls and paws at the kittens, unprovoked. Now that she's aggressive towards me also.

She is very vocal with her frustration. For example, she is always looking over her shoulder when eating (in a separate room, door closed) to see if the kittens were nearby. She's skittish....when she senses that the kittens are nearby when she's eating, she would stop eating and growls (vocal) while walking away from her food. She was on 3 meals per day (each meal 1oz of SmallBatch raw slider), now only 2 meals per day. She doesn't play as much, even when I try to play with her away from the kittens.

I have tried flower essences by Jackson's Galaxy (Welcoming Change, Stress Stopper, Peacemaker, Bully Solution, Self Esteem...) but they don't seem to be helping. I mixed all of them in a spray bottle and spray every where in the house. Is there anything else I should try? I am considering working with an animal communicator for her behavioral and mood issues. It really breaks my heart to see her like this - I wanted to get her siblings so she'd have other kitties to play with but that hasn't been the case.

First-time cat mommy here. Would really appreciate your guidance!

Christine

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hey Christine!

She consistently hisses, growls and paws at the kittens, unprovoked

Meaning that she is fine when they walk by her (just walking nearby can be seen as provocative)?

Now that she's aggressive towards me also.

Oh no! In what way, and in what situation?

Has she had Ars?

 

[Dr. Christina]

Definitely try one or more animal communicators.
Unfortunately, I have seen this over the decades where the resident cat just will not accept anyone else. As Losos showed us in his webinar, this would fit their species traits.

A consult with Dr. Jean Hofve may help clarify your choices.

Anitra Frazier may also be useful. she only has a phone (no other devices) - 212-663-0122

Keep trying, and know that if you have to re-home the two youngsters, have no guilt. Sometimes it just happens.

The plug in pheromones have helped a few clients.

Dr. Christina

 

[ChristineL]

Meaning that she is fine when they walk by her (just walking nearby can be seen as provocative)?

No, sometimes she is not fine when they walk by her....sometimes, she approaches and paws, unprovoked, out of nowhere!

Oh no! In what way, and in what situation?

Hmm...for example, I tried sitting down next to her to spend a quiet few moments, she growled and hissed at me.

Has she had Ars?

I don't believe so, but Mason recently was prescribed that! Ha!

 

[ChristineL]

Definitely try one or more animal communicators.
Unfortunately, I have seen this over the decades where the resident cat just will not accept anyone else. As Losos showed us in his webinar, this would fit their species traits.

A consult with Dr. Jean Hofve may help clarify your choices.

Anitra Frazier may also be useful. she only has a phone (no other devices) - 212-663-0122

Keep trying, and know that if you have to re-home the two youngsters, have no guilt. Sometimes it just happens.

The plug in pheromones have helped a few clients.

Dr. Christina

Thanks, Dr. Christina. Wow...re-homing the kittens? I can't even process that in my head. I want to be hopeful and keep trying for the fact that there were some tender moments from the resident cat towards the kittens.

The plug-in pheromones...did you mean Feliway?

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Mason recently was prescribed that! Ha!

Is it helping?

did you mean Feliway?

Dr. Christina may have been referring to Feliway or essential oil diffusers.

Also, has the aggression to you been since her last doses?

 

[ChristineL]

Is it helping?

A new remedy was prescribed.

Also, has the aggression to you been since her last doses?

I think so...a family member also noted that she's definitely more aggressive towards the kittens when she's in heat.

 

[SelinaR]

You might try going back to square one and putting the kittens in a separate room. How long did you take before they integrated? Did you do Jackson Galaxy's protocol with feeding them on the opposite sides of the door? Did you use the scent and space-swaping? What sex are the kittens? How old are they? How old is your resident cat?

 

[ChristineL]

Hi @SelinaR Thanks for your help and support. I think the kittens and my resident cat were separated for about a week or so before they integrated. I was not able to feed them on the opposite sides of the door because my resident only eats on a designated counter in the kitchen. Yes, I used the scent and space-swapping method. The kittens are one male and one female, siblings, they're about 4 months old now. The resident cat is about 2 years old.

I don't really know how to start over, now that the cats are so used to roaming around the house freely.

I have started diffusing AnaimalEO's Calm-A-Mile Neat and it seems to be helping a little. Also, we upped my resident cat's happiness level by allowing her to roam around in the yard and nap in the garage (both with supervision, and both activities are her favorite) and that seems to be helping with her mood and appetite, a little.

@Dr. Jean Hofve any thoughts?

 

[SelinaR]

Getting cats outside for a walk can help both with feline confidence, and to lower aggression. I train all mine with harness and leashes. I wouldn't say it's easy, and very different from training a dog! [really don't do it the same way] but it's been worth it. I even wrote a book on how.

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Sometimes you *do* have to "start over" with the introduction, especially if it was rushed or the cats did not themselves set the pace. This is the protocol. Re-introductions may become necessary for many reasons. (See Redirected Aggression: A Case Study | Little Big Cat - Dr. Jean Hofve).

With flower essences, giving all cats all of the essences at the same time is not the right approach. The original resident should get Bully, while you can spritz Peacemaker around common areas (when they become common again). More is not better.

I would absolutely consider an animal communicator as well. Sometimes they can gain important insights to ease the process.

You might also consider a wellness checkup for the resident cat. Pain or other physical issues can be a big factor, especially since you mention her BEAM has declined. She's young for dental disease or other typical causes, but it might be a good idea to rule out an injury or other oddball factor.