Cat hates new kitten

[essieestherson]

Hi, I purchased a new kitten about a week ago... I already have a 10 month old cat. I introduced them very slowly, keeping them apart for a couple of days to get each other's scents etc.

My 10 month old cat absolutely hates her. He won't come in the house unless he has to, he won't come over to us anymore and he hisses and swipes at the kitten in a very aggressive way.

I don't know what to do as it's really stressing my cat out and I don't think it's very fair on either of them.

Does anyone have a tips on how to get my cat to tolerate the kitten...?

Bump

I saw online someone putting netting inbetween them, putting it on the door frame in between rooms so they can see each other but cant go near each other as a way of doing it?

I can try that. Thanks for the suggestion!

Have you tried feliway plug in? Really helped us. We've always had this a bit with a new kitten but has always settled down in time. I do think the bigger cat needs to be able to show the kitten who is boss a bit though!

I have heard that if you feed them on either side of a closed door then you can get them to associate the smell of the other cat with something positive. Never tried it as my cat slaves only barely tolerate each other and they are siblings, although they happily join forces if there is an intruder!

All my cats started off this way. They get over it eventually.

Thanks everyone for your advise. If it was up to my cat I think he would stay out all day... do you think it's a good idea to keep him in for a few days so he gets more used to the scent and kitten.. or just let him stay outside (apart from when he's hungry?)

Are you playing with him? Is he interested in a laser etc? Ive got the same age gap and I made sure I did this then eventually I used dabird with both of them.

Also I fed them at the same time and slowly moved their bowls together. I don’t kniw if it made a difference that mine were both girls. Does he come in for his dinner?

I think your meant to do introductions more slowly than that. It's something you do over several weeks.

I'd keep him in so he doesn't get run over at night or harmed by humans. Especially with it being the school holidays now.

I always make sure he's in at night anyway. I have kept him in today with me so he can't hopefully get a bit more used to the kitten. Thanks, everyone

It's a done thing now but cats do not like company and prefer to live alone as adults. Yes of course some do co exist jut fine but as a general rule, they dont want to once last kitten hood. You risk behavioural problems such as marking territory etc

All you can do now is keep them apart for longer and see how it goes. Your o,def cat will eventually tolerate I should think

Yes I'm definitely getting those vibes from him! Perhaps was a mistake but I'm sure it will work out.

I would keep them separate for a bit longer. I've had my kitten for a month and have only just started letting the two spend significant amounts of time together and they're still not getting on. The adult cat hisses and swipes, but the kitten is learning and now submits to her. The swiping and hissing looks aggressive but it's necessary to develop the hierarchy, so long as it's not actual fighting, leave them to get on with it.
Keep them separate for a while longer with some blanket swaps, etc, and introduce maybe a few minutes at a time and build up from there. They will learn to tolerate each other eventually.

Thanks! I will do that, I've kept my cat in today but kept the kitten separate so hopefully he will get a bit more used to her scent etc and will just do little introductions at a time.

He seems to have stopped wanting to attack her and now just hisses and walks away.. a slight improvement!

Play was the key for me.

Mine were like this when we first got them. This is how they sleep now!

A few days is too short. I rehome cats and we always say one week minimum, gradually moving the new cat until they are in the next room to each other. You could go back to that? Keep the new kitten in your bedroom with his stuff, and keep the door closed but let old cat sniff under the door. Also do let him go out as much as he likes. He'll be miserable if you insist he must be around the kitten.

Lots of time and patience is the key, and don't be afraid to go back a step.

The question is, why would he like the kitten? It's like someone dropping their toddler off with me. Then not coming back.

Aww I want mine to lay together like that!

They are sitting in the hallway together, staring at each other! No-ones hissing. It's looking good

Do they like Dreamies? I used to give them three each and just got them closer together eventually

They do, my cat is very stubborn though and will not accept treats or play while he's annoyed about something!