My kitten stopped being a purring machine after we introduced a new kitten?

[Adrianna]

My kitten is a male and 3.5 months old. It's not a pedigree or anything. After a few days of having him, we got a new one who is also male but only 3 months. He's a Persian kitten. When the two of them met, they hissed and growled at each other.

Then, the 3.5 month old one kinda took his ground while the other one backed away from his "territory". The Persian kitten managed to get into my other kitten's room though..but they were practically glaring at each other. When we took the Persian one's food and water bowl into that room, it ate and drank normally, but my other kitten just went and sat behind the fridge. It basically backed away from the kitten and us. Maybe we introduced them too soon?

Either way, my old kitten would always purr..like 24/7. Now, he plays and all, but barely purrs. Will he ever get used to the other kitten and will they ever become friends? Will he start purring like he used to, or is it gone for good? I need a few tips on how to fix this

 

[JustAGirl]

Cats purr for different reasons... not all are for contentment. You'd have to find out why the cat was purring...

When your cat climbs into your lap, tucks in his paws under himself, and begins to purr, all is right in his world. This is one of the things we love about our cats; that feeling of contentment they share with us. When cats become soft purring bundles of warm reassuring fur, we feel calmer and more peaceful ourselves. We may not always hear the purring – a soft vibrating rumble – but we can feel it. But why do cats purr? And what produces this characteristic sound?

According to veterinarian Bruce Fogle, author of The Cat's Mind, the original function of purring was to enable a kitten to communicate with his mother that things are well. A kitten is able to purr by the second day of life, and although he can't meow and nurse at the same time, he can purr and nurse. And the mother cat often purrs back, probably to reassure the kitty.



There are many theories to explain how the purr is generated. One study determined that purring involves activation of nerves within the voice box. These nerve signals cause vibration of the vocal cords while the diaphragm serves as a piston pump, pushing air in and out of the vibrating cords, thus creating a musical hum. Veterinarian Neils C. Pederson, author of Feline Husbandry, believes that purring is initiated from within the central nervous system and is a voluntary act. In other words, cats purr only when they want to.

Purring is an integral part of the feline communication system and occurs for a variety of reasons. It is classified with the "murmur vocalization" group, which involves sounds produced by a cat while the mouth is closed. In addition to purring, this group of sounds includes grunting, calling, and acknowledgment murmurs. Domestic cats and some wild cats, like pumas and mountain lions (almost any big cat that cannot roar), are all able to purr.

As the cat matures the meaning of the purr changes. Some cats purr to indicate contentment or pleasure, but badly frightened cats and severely ill cats also purr, and so do females while they are delivering their kittens. It is not uncommon for cats to purr when they are close to death. This final purring may indicate a state of anxiety or possibly euphoria, states that have also been described in terminally ill people.

Animal behaviorists believe that when cats purr under stressful circumstances, they are reassuring or comforting themselves, much as humans may sing to themselves or hum when they are nervous. Frightened cats may purr to communicate submissiveness or non-aggressive intentions. A feral cat may purr to signal that he will not attack and other cats need not feel threatened. Older cats may purr when they play or approach other cats, signaling that they are friendly and want to come closer.

A more recent theory about purring is that it is caused by the release of nature's own morphine-like substances (endorphins) in the brain. Since endorphins are released under circumstances of pain and pleasure, this would explain the seemingly ambiguous expression of purring. This theory jives with Pederson's reasoning, that purring is initiated in the brain, and is also compatible with the more mechanical explanations for purring, as endorphins activate one of the main action systems in the brain (so thought is translated into movement). Whatever the explanation for purring, it seems to indicate cats' contentment and is associated with improvement in their affect at times of stress. Purring is one of cats' most endearing qualities.

 

[jimmy]

You should probably pinpoint when the cats get the most hostile with one another and prevent those situations. Im not saying its your fault one bit but you can do things to stop conflict. Some cats are just people cats and others are less sociable with people and are friendlier to cats and dogs. If things still become difficult maybe consult your vet, they usually have tips to give.

 

[CocoMoco]

Your cat is not purring because it is jealous. After a month or something close to that he will start purring again! Just make sure to (at the moment) give him a tad more attention while the other cat is around. But if it just you and the new cat do the same for him! But remember 2 cats in one room pet: both, but who do you pet more: the 1st cat so he does not think that you are abandoning him!

Hope I helped!

 

[catlady]

you don't say if you've had either of them neutered - if you haven't then two tom cats (males) will find it difficult to share the same home as they are very territorial. it is also likely that the first kitten you got is now feeling jealous of the other one and a bit neglected, as it used to get all your attention and now gets 50% (or less if your newer kitten is still a novelty to you then you will be spending more time on it than your original one).

how to fix it is firstly get them both neutered if you haven't already. secondly give them both separate feeding and sleeping areas - bowls in opposite ends of the kitchen or even in other rooms. thirdly give both kittens some individual time with you - shut the other one out the room completely for half an hour or so and devote some quality playing or cuddling time to each one in turn.

hopefully these combined will result in 2 happy kitties again once they've had time to adjust