What's wrong with him?

[Catinheat]

So firstly my username is nothing to do with my cat, its from a previous thread and I xant be bothered to change it.
We have a 3 year old Male cat, always been so loving and such a big soft, hes used to my children picking him up all the time and pushing him around in their pram..very patient and loving.
3 months ago we got left with a neighbours 6 month old kitten, shes also very loving but obviously they fight.
We keep them seperate as much as possible but if their paths cross then the male cat goes for her, the kitten tries to be friendly with him but hes having none of it.

Since this week, he has been hissing and scratching me and my children too, we cant even pick him up..he seems frightened of us and I dont know why, we give him space and I've banned the dc from going near him so as to keep them and dcat safe, hes warm fed,healthy.

Is this because of kitten or could it be something else? DH thinks someone has scared him when hes been outside because he genuinely freezes and puts his ears back when we go to stroke him.
He has let me pick him up and I've checked to see nothings broken or cuts anywhere etc..but why is he so scared?

He's stressed, simple as that. The majority of adult cats don't want kittens or other animals being introduced to the household. You'll have these issues going forward I should think. It's unfair to bring in another cat with an existing one.

Our neighbour moved and left the kitten after texting us to say since the dc loved playing with her they thought we should have her. Didnt have much of a choice in the matter but maybe she should've been rehomed.
What do I do going forward though?
Get feliway would that help?
Will he ever accept the kitten?

Bumping for any other advice?

Has she been spayed?

I don't think you can assume your boy is healthy if he's not seen a vet - changes in behaviour and increased aggression/unpredictable behaviour can be signs that he's in pain (not always easy to spot even though you've checked him over). Or like you say, something could have happened outside.

It also doesn't sound like things are going great between him and the kitten. Is she spayed? How did you introduce them to begin with? Are there enough resources for both, and high places etc. so they don't have to compete? You might need to go back to square one with introductions.

I'd definitely consider getting him checked by a vet. There could be something you can't see.

Also second pp with regards to high places he can go. Are you able to give him somewhere he can hide, like a safe place? Make him a den or something.

That's shocking of your neighbours to just assume you were in a position to keep this kitten. I'd really think about whether you are willing to take her in, and if not perhaps get in touch with Cats Protection to get her rehomed.

I'm not doubting at all that you are able to look after her just want to let you know your options!

He doesn't like the new cat it's as simple as that. It completely changes their personalities when they get stressed about a new cat in the house.
Either rehome the new cat or introduce them very very slowly over a few months.

I'd honestly consider rejoining the kitten. It's the obvious thing to do to help him and within a week or so of her being gone, he will be back to normal. It's the fair thing to do for him

*rehoming