How to choose a compatible kitten for my older cat

[StuntNun]

I am getting a kitten (possibly two although that isn't decided yet) next month and I'm wondering what type of personality to choose. When I got my last kitten he terrorised my older cat and they would fight with each other so I don't want that to happen again.

My current pet cat is extremely bold and he will go into the neighbours' houses and sit with their cats. He's only 13 months old so he's still playful and boisterous. Would I be better to get a confident kitten that can stand up to him, or a timid kitten that won't be likely to cause conflict? Also will choosing a female kitten make it more likely they will get on with each other?

I would choose a more submissive kitten who gets along well with siblings. Possibly female although sometimes female cats seem to be more territorial and dominant than neutered males. In most situations some initial establishing of hierarchies and testing of boundaries is normal though so they might not be best friends right away.

Getting a bonded pair of sibling kittens might also be a good idea so they can keep each other company and your older cat can stay out of their way if he prefers to.

When you refer to your last kitten, do you mean this same "older" cat was the older cat, or another situation?

I had a six-year-old female cat when we got the current male cat. She was used to being the only cat in the household but when our dog died she seemed lonely so I decided to get a kitten. Big mistake as they never got on and he would tease her until she went for him. It was a personality mismatch as she was timid and he's a cheeky dynamo. Sadly she was run over and killed a couple of months ago.