we're making progress with the introductions. Mr kane is starting to enter a room when tje kittens are there instead of avoiding it. and the cats can be in the same room without hissing.

the problem is the kittens (especially the boy) cannot resist going for Mr kanes tail when he's sat down, which makes him hiss and swipe them.

should I just leave them to it to sort out themselves or is there anything I can do? kane seems to want to ignore them but they don't take the hint. they expect him to play like a kitten

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Also mum to Mr Kane, a 9yr old ginger boy

From my experience I'd leave them to sort it out now, though ensure that your older cat has somewhere that he can spend some private time without kittens for his sanity. Usually kittens who leave their Mum at 14 weeks have been taught that tails are not for playing with, but a swishing tail is very tempting. I have an older neutered girl who teaches our kittens that not all cats want to play and that they should respect their elders. She is very quick with a hiss or swipe if they touch her and it's remarkable how quickly the kittens learn. Nothing funnier than a group of maurauding kittens wildly galloping up the kitchen, before skidding to a halt and very carefully trotting around the old girl before bouncing off again.

As the kittens we keep grow up and stop taking liberties, she does mellow and once they are adults she does occaisionally share a bed with them.

The kittens need to learn to back off and the best way they will is if the older cat tells them to. Spend lots of time playing with the kittens yourself so they have less uncontrollable energy (not very easy to wear a kitten out I admit).

Good luck

Katy

thanks for that. the situation has improved and the kittens are getting the message to leave kane alone.
he will tolerate them as long as he keeps his space. he will sit on my lap now when they're in the room

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Also mum to Mr Kane, a 9yr old ginger boy