big cat and kitten not getting long

[myermay]

have a 2.5 yr old male cat who is very placid but nervous of loud noises etc. We got a kitten 4 wks ago and she is annoying him so much. She won't leave him, jumping on his back and trying to play. She ignores all his warning (growling, cuffing her) and continues. I'm worried that she's making him unhappy and how to deal with it. I shut her out of the kitchen so he can eat in peace. Now she is displaying agression back to him, ears back etc. How long will this last? or do some cats never get on?

I'm afraid some cats will just never get on, but most learn to tolerate each other. Ours used to hate each other but used to sit at opposite ends of the airing cupboard glaring at each other, because they both wanted to be warm amongst the towels.

You'll just have to try and keep them apart until they get used to each other. Or maybe Kitten will learn her lesson if she gets a severe cuff.

Just take each day as it comes with them. They might never make friends but then again who knows.

My Egyptian Mau has always been a spoilt little princess in my house but was getting bored all day when I was out at work. When she was 8 I got another cat (a maine coon) that was 1 and a half to keep her mind busy while I was out. I never expected them to be friends and my hope was that she would get so focused on watching this other cat that she would stop over grooming. Within a month they had stopped fighting and I'd achieved my objective. After 6 months they'd established who was boss and would sit and cuddle up together. Now they even occasionally play together which was totally unknown of for my little princess a year ago.

So my advice is don't leave them unattended together but your little kitten will need "putting in its place". It needs to know the other cat is boss which might mean your other cat is allowed to shout at it. To make sure your other cat stays happy you need to keep your bonding time. Me and my EM have always had plenty of cuddles and that has continued since getting the MC. My OH would cuddle the MC while I cuddled the EM. This pattern carries on a year later and both our girls are happy with it. Get your kitten plenty of toys and dedicate some time to playing with it so that it isn't so bored it feels no other choice but to play with your other cat.

Most importantly, be patient and see how it goes. You can't rush these things. I was told of the breeder I got my EM from that I would never be able to get another cat with her because of her temperament. She proved her wrong since they really are like sisters now. You really never know.