How should you introduce your new kitten to your cat who is hissing and growling at everyone now?

Answer 1

Well, it seems you might have already messed up the introductions.

The first step should always be setting up a separate room for the kitten, where they can explore their new world without getting into too much trouble, and, here's the benefit for your older cat: You let the older cat get curious about the kitten, and WANT to make their acquaintance.

If you just came home and dumped a new cat into the middle of what the older cat thinks of as their home, you've created a little intruder. Cats don't like intruders.

It might not be too late to separate the two cats and start over. This will give the older cat some breathing room to sort out how they would like to react.

Generally kittens can melt the older cat's heart, but there are some circumstances that can cause difficulties:

* The cat is too old for the play appeal to take hold. Cats vary, of course, but once a cat reaches double digits, they might be more interested in refining their nap technique than to be chased all over the house by some young whippersnapper. * The cat is not social. Some cats are simply not cat oriented. If your older cat is shy or not playful, they will find a kitten's overtures to be annoying when they want to be left alone. * The cat has a deprived background. A kitten can stir up all kinds of difficulties, from flashing them back to bad times to bringing up the hidden truth that they are not very skilled at inter-cat communications. They will find themselves unable to establish good cat relations if they do not understand the signals.

No matter what the cat's problem might be, starting introductions over is a good first step. Make a fuss over checking on the kitten when you go in there to play with the kitten, and come out to let the older cat smell the kitten's scent while they get a treat. When the older cat hangs out at the door and sneaks around to see you go in and out, the older cat is letting their curiosity overcome their annoyance. Don't rush this process. Have the older cat hankering to see the kitten.

Try to make good things happen when the kitten is around, from treats to toys. Point out the tremendous advantages to your older cat of having their own kitten. Pretend they asked you to get a kitten.

And be honest; how much of this is your own fault? Have you fussed over the kitten and neglected the older cat? Have you changed beloved routines for the kitten? Do you laugh at something the kitten does that the older cat isn't allowed to do?

Give the older cat a reason to like the kitten, not a reason to resent them.