Big cat terrified of kitten

[MaudesMum]

Bought kitten home 3 days ago and keeping her in 1 room downstairs. Have been gently starting process of introduction, by opening door to room when big cat is around. Same thing happens each time - kitten runs enthusiastically up to big cat, big cat yowls and hisses, and then runs away. Big cat (who normally sleeps upstairs) has now taken to hovering on the stairs to check coast is clear before venturing downstairs.
I've just plugged in a feliway thingy which I hope will help, but any other advice gratefully received. The house is big enough for them each to have their own space, so they don't have to be besties, but I don't want my older cat to be frightened to venture downstairs..

[DanHumphreyIsA]

I think the best thing would be to keep separate a bit longer.
Give it a few days, and maybe give kitten a short time to roam when big cat is in another room. So that when he comes down he can get used to the scent.

After a few days, try and get them eating on opposite sides of the door. Start with their fave treats if big cat doesn't want to go near the door.

All three of mine were adopted at separate times and they all developed a friendship underneath the kitchen door lol. They would stick their paws underneath and play tag.
When I finally opened the door, they just carried on with under-door tag and started sharing the space.

Spray some catnip for biggy near the door, and keep it on hand for when you do introduce them.

(Pictures would help....)

[MaudesMum]

Sorry! photos of both now attached!!

[MyCatMyRules]

OMG they're beautiful

[MaudesMum]

That's brilliant advice - will definitely try the feeding thing, especially since the way to the big cat's heart is through Dreamies. Will also go and get some catnip. And I'll take it slowly - I just want them both to get along...

[Therewere5inthebed]

We’re collecting a new kitten on Friday and I am anticipating the same problem, i’ve stocked up on Feliway and tiny kit will be introduced slowly using a mahoosive dog cage, big boy is a friendly chap and has history of snuggling up with another cat we owned but am worried about upsetting him to start with.

Just take it slowly, we’ve tried the door thing but found that the cage worked best for ours.

Both of your cats are totally gorgeous by the way.

[DanHumphreyIsA]

They are so beautiful. I'm sure big cat won't be able to resist that mischievous face for long!

[Lanaorana2]

Boy, are they completely adorable.

It will all be fine and lovely, couldn't not be.

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

Cute kitten and your big cat is superb (love his paws).
I had a similar situation with introducing kittens to one of my cats. It took three months before the senior cat seemed to give up and accept the new additions. So be patient and give big cat lots of attention.

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

Little cat is cute, but big cat has stolen my heart. So gorgeous. Buts/he also looks a little like a fraidy cat. Is bigcat's right ear a bit snipped?

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

They're gorgeous. I could imagine big cat to have looked almost identical to baby cat, when he was a kitten.
Sorry not helpful. I don't know much about cats. I only coo at them.
Though I do predict they'll be best of friends soon. Don't forget he's had your undivided attention for years, so. He's bound be jealous and wary. Its easy to over look a full grown cat when there's an adorable little bsby kitten, but Are people still making a fuss of big cat, too

[imjessie]

We got two kittens a week ago and big girl cat who is 7 is very cross but day to day she is getting better . I male her come down for dreamies and she has to have them next to the kittens . She has stopped hissing as much and comes down a bit now luckily we have a big house with 3 floors so she can get away from them . 7 years ago she was the kitten who joined my big boys and they were so kind to her but it still took time . In a month you will wonder what the fuss was about .

[MaudesMum]

Big cat is outwardly quite aggressive (to people and other cats), but I do think a lot of it is fear. I'd hoped she would get on better with a kitten than an adult cat as she'd see a kitten as less of a threat, but I may have got that wrong! Not helped by kitten having no fear whatsoever and just bouncing up all cheerfully!!

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

That's the thing about kittens, though.
They're just like children. They're so innocent and trusting. They have no fear

[Want2beme]

Little one looks like a very cheeky puss. Both lovely. Hope they become very good friends.

[littlebillie]

Get a towel and keep rubbing them both down it mingles the scents and introduce older cat when kitten is sleepy. Sit in the room and talk to them calmly it will all work out

[MaudesMum]

Quick update: I opened the door to kitten's room so she could run around a bit and leave her scent in the rest of downstairs. Didn't pay attention and the first I knew big cat had wandered in and was busily eating kitten's food. Kitten bounced up, big cat hissed a bit, but didn't depart the scene. They then repeated the exercise. Since kitten was between big cat and door, I then removed kitten, so big cat could leave with dignity. So, I'd class that as a slight improvement in relations! Off to buy catnip spray!

[YetAnotherSpartacus]

Food is such a wonderful motivator :)

[TheLongRider]

I'd expect a bit of hissing from big cat, just to make sure that kitten knows who's boss. Also despite her aggression, big cat may be quite insecure when it comes to other cats.

[HirplesWithHaggis]

I introduced two, eight-week old kittens to my 11 yo tomcat (neutered) in July. There were a few days of hissing from the old boy but he soon settled and all three now (sometimes) sleep in a heap. They share food, water and litter trays without issue. Old boy also hissed when the kits came back from their neutering, presumably because they smelled wrong, that lasted two or three days.

[MaudesMum]

Update. Well, it is slightly better. I carried on feeding them separately but closer to the shut door between, and got to the point yesterday when I could open the door and they'd both feed on. And the big cat seems much less scared of the kitten, in that she now isn't turning tail and retreating back upstairs. She is, however, sitting on the bottom stair and hissing and yowling whenever the kitten gets too close. And did try and swipe at kitten when she got too close today. Kitten is a little more cautious around big cat, but not a lot. I'm keeping kitten on lockdown when I'm not around to supervise!