How Do I Introduce My New Kitten To My Older Cat?

[Leigh]

I've always just had one cat, but I got a new kitten four days ago. The older cat has been very distressed, and growls or cries a lot even when I touch her. She seems miserable and skittish at the scent of the kitten in the house. I've been keeping them separated, with the kitten shut in her own room and the older cat mostly still having the run of the place, and periodically I hold the kitten on the couch. The older cat comes to look, but she'll hiss.

I don't want to have to keep the poor kitten shut in another room when it seems she should be exploring the house. The kitten seems happy and purrs in my arms, but I don't yet feel comfortable putting the kitten on the floor in the apartment when the older cat is about. What should I do, just keep showing them to each other and waiting for the older cat to get used to the new smell? It's only been four days... is it too soon to worry that it'll never be okay? Is it possible that the big cat will hurt the little one?

I dogsit my friend's chihuahua sometimes and the cat doesn't mind the dog at all, but she is so upset about this kitten! Any advice is appreciated!
The older cat is only about four years old, so not a slow old lady or anything. She's never been particularly cuddly or sociable, but she likes being near me and has been treating me like there's an evil forcefield around me!

 

[Leelee Babez]

get some ne to hold down your older cat and you hold down ur kitten and put your kitten by the older cat and wen the older ct hisses give it a little smack on the nose with ur finger and say NO!
and do this each day and the older one should get used to having the kitten walking freely around the house . hope this helped.x