How do I introduce my cat to a new kitten?

[kel-c]

I have a cat already,(Mitten) but I've recently rescued a five week old kitten. Mitten, is HUGE, like, dog-sized. Everytime Mitten sees the new kitten (Daisy), he hisses and growls and runs. I'm terrified to let Daisy around Mitten without me holding her because I honestly think Mitten might kill her. He's never been an agressive cat before, but he's just so big, and she's so small and defenseless. What should I do about this? Its getting really hard to keep them in seperate rooms because I have a tiny apartment.

 

[blu]

No guarantees when it comes to socializing felines. The domesticated kitten wants to play. The cat feels entitled to the territory it is familiar w/. Assuming they both have claws I would either closely supervise their orientation or wait til the kitten is big enough to defend it self (then hope for the best) these animals may fight ... genders may also be part of this equation.

 

[Claudia Shapiro]

I had a similar experience, and usually there is not much you can do about it.
Is the male neutered? If not then try to get him neutered. Try putting them behind a gate or transparent door and give a bit of catnip or tuna to mitten whenever he looks at the cat but doesn't hiss or growl.
Usually you can't fix this.
I had a white male cat and a small tabby female kitten and the male fought with the kitten ALL the time until he died. He ended up changing her attitude. She turned into a mean little grinch because of him.

 

[princess]

First and foremost congrats on the new kitten! When introducing a new pet it is always a good idea to keep them separate but within the same home and rotate out their toys and beds for a little while first so that they can become comfortable with each other's scent. Cats, know their friends by the scent that they carry. After a few days of this, you can begin the introductions. Place the new cat is his/her carrier and put him/ her in an open area (still in the carrier) the new cat will come up and sniff at him/her, give the old cats some treats and pet him/her this will help them to associate the new cat with some thing pleasurable i.e. a treat! Please be aware some hissing may be done. I recommend snapping, or tossing a pillow in the cats direction, to ease the hissing a bit. Repeat this for several days ... they will eventually get used to each others scents and presence. Remember, most cats are territorial, and your cat might feel like he/she is being replaced, so make sure you give both cats EQUAL attention. I have had this experience before and I am currently going through it again with a new kitten, so I hope this is as helpful to you as it was for me!

 

[Bails B]

I had a cat since about 8 years now and 4 years ago I brought a kitten home from Israel and they wouldn't get along, I eventually found that having them in the same room together for an hour or 2 each day helps a lot

 

[Darci]

well I have had cats most of my life and at the present have 6 various ages. In my experience it is best to be home all the time say like all weekend when you have them together. Most of the time, not all of the time, but most if there is hissing/growling and such that is normal behavior as they are trying to find out what each other is and also guarding territory. Most of the time it is usually just a lot of hissing and growling and such. As long as there are no real fights/attacks and such this usually stops after they get used to each other which can take a month or more. But if you are keeping them apart you are only prolonging the process as each time you put them together it is like starting all over again. That is the best advice I can give as that is usually all that has went on in introducing new ones to the ones already I had. Hope this helps.....