Hi everyone,
We have a resident cat who is about 13 years old. She's always been, shall we say, moody, but is pleasant a lot of the time.
We got a new kitten 4 weeks ago (8 weeks when we got her), and kept the two apart for 10 days, did scent swapping (our resident cat is outside a lot, so we'd let the kitten around the house when the older cat was out). We finally introduced them for the first time after 10 days, only to look at each other (we held the kitten in her room, and let the older cat see her through the doorway). Older cat was pissed off and ran away, as expected.
We waited a few more days, and since then over the past 2.5 weeks, we've introduced them slowwwwwly - first through a crack in a door, and eventually in the same room. We make sure they "meet" at least once a day now (never force them together, just put them in the same room together (a big room, mind you)), but our resident cat FREAKS out. Every time.
So much so that she growls and hisses constantly, whether or not the kitten is anywhere around. She's attacked us, and has attacked the kitten about 8 times.
Is there no hope? I know our resident cat won't ever love the kitten, but being able to let them roam the house together without fear of murder would be sufficient!
Any thoughts as to a next step, to try to get the older cat to stop attacking the little one? Thanks!
We have a resident cat who is about 13 years old. She's always been, shall we say, moody, but is pleasant a lot of the time.
We got a new kitten 4 weeks ago (8 weeks when we got her), and kept the two apart for 10 days, did scent swapping (our resident cat is outside a lot, so we'd let the kitten around the house when the older cat was out). We finally introduced them for the first time after 10 days, only to look at each other (we held the kitten in her room, and let the older cat see her through the doorway). Older cat was pissed off and ran away, as expected.
We waited a few more days, and since then over the past 2.5 weeks, we've introduced them slowwwwwly - first through a crack in a door, and eventually in the same room. We make sure they "meet" at least once a day now (never force them together, just put them in the same room together (a big room, mind you)), but our resident cat FREAKS out. Every time.
So much so that she growls and hisses constantly, whether or not the kitten is anywhere around. She's attacked us, and has attacked the kitten about 8 times.
Is there no hope? I know our resident cat won't ever love the kitten, but being able to let them roam the house together without fear of murder would be sufficient!
Any thoughts as to a next step, to try to get the older cat to stop attacking the little one? Thanks!
