Pet Regret?

[Whatishappeningxxx]

I've got a new kitten over a week ago and my current older cat of 10 years really hates her. I'm starting to regret getting the kitten. I feel awful. Both are lovely when they are separated. But together the older cat will go for the kitten I've had to break up near fights. My older cat is the most loveliest cat ever but shes shown a different side with this kitten.

Any advice on how to help this improve? I'm starting to regret it and I hate myself. Any success stories? Thank you.

Do any of them plug in devices work?

From my experience you're fighting a losing battle. We were handed a cat which didnt gel with our older one .we spent hundreds on plug ins and sprays and even cat prozac but ultimately they just didnt get on. I would look to rehome the kitten while it's still cute.

A week is still quite early! Are they in separate spaces? You could try the scent swapping items first, then seeing but not being able to get to, then swapping them into each others spaces so they get used to their areas before letting them be around each other supervised?

As PP said some cats just won't get on and be good friends, it depends if you think a week is enough time for them?

The feliway plug ins are fab too I've found for my anxious cat, expensive though!!

A week is not long, my cats take over a week to become friends again if one goes to the vet. Apparently it's about the smell. You should rub them with each others blankets & brushes, swapping each day until they smell like the same home. Giving them treats together helps too. The calm sprays are good. I think you'd need to read up about the age gap but I think this is too soon to be disheartened.

You haven't given them anywhere near enough time to acclimatise and get used to each other.

Some cats simply won't get on, to get the 'orrible truth out of the way.

But the majority can. You must remember that cats are not sociable beasts, naturally. They're able to tolerate other animals, so long as there's no competition for needs. So food isn't a trouble, there's secure places to hide, there's ample places to use the loo etc.

Jackson Galaxy (I know i know, but bear with) has a decent set of 'how to introduce your cats' videos on youtube. Certainly helped with my two!

I often see people say that cats aren't social but when left to their own devices they do form colonies and spend time together.

I've had multiple cats over the years and they've all been significantly happier in groups.

It takes much, much longer.

It took about a month for my older cat to even be in the same room as my kittens. Now 3 months on, she is tolerating them and even occasionally plays with them.

My older cat also has absolutely no socialisation skills and is the crankiest, bitchiest cat I’ve ever met so I think most would take less time. (She was a rescue who had been through 3 homes and a broken neck by the time I got her at 6 months old)

Give it time