Introducing new adult cat to a kitten?

[Jennifer C]

I have had a cute little orange tabby kitten for about a month. He is very playful and I thought he would like to have another cat around. Then my friend needed to give away her cat, so I took the cat in. The new cat is over 5 years old and she will not stop hissing at my kitten. She has been hiding under the bed and I can't get to her because she even hisses and swats at me. My kitten keeps trying to play with her, it is probably annoying her. Any advice?

 

[Tint]

The older cat is terrified. Her world has been turned upside down. Imagine being taken away from your parents... she's unsettled and doesn't know what's happening. Just leave her be. Make sure she's comfortable and has access to plenty of food and water. Do you know what treats she likes? Put a little of that out too.

If it were me, I'd keep kitten away for a day or two, so she can get used to her home and to you, but if not, just be patient with her and love her every moment you can. Let her sniff you and know you're not a threat to her. Don't try to hold her at first, just stroke. She'll settle... give her time.

Make sure she can't escape and try to run back home though!

I've had many cats of different age groups. They do get used to each other and often have great affection for each other. My ginger cat used to hunt for my tabby who was a useless hunter (we lived on a farm). They'd clean each other and sleep curled up together.

 

[Emily Yetman]

Try seperating them, we bought a cheep mesh crate from walmart and had our cat just observe the new kitten and then we started letting him out a for a few hours a day more and more until finally they are un separable now. We did however just start fostering and they have been hissing like crazy at the new kittens, until about 4 days in and now they just dont care anymore, they even started playing with them.

 

[Erica]

my cat got the same way. most cats dont like eachother but theyll eventually get used to it. it may take a long time though and theyll still not really like eachother theyll just accept it. my cat was about 5 when we went and got a tabby kitten from the zoo and my cat hated her so we had to take the kitten back but ive heard they get used to it. good luck