Mixing new kittens with an older cat.

Question
I have a 7 year old cat that we rescued from a creek when she was a kitten. She is now our only cat because we lost two in the past year. She has always been a temperamental cat. She would always hiss at one of the other cats like she was always mad. Since the passing of my last cat we have decided to get some kittens. We just picked up two kittens yesterday. They are about 8 weeks old. When we introduced her to them she hissed and growled at them. Then when I tried to pet her she tried to hiss at me and it was like she hated me touching her because I had just touched the kittens. I don't know what to do with the kittens and her in order for her to like them better.

Answer
Danny,

There are a couple of things I would do.  First off, make sure you give your established cats extra attention and treats, so that she may associate the new kittens with special treatment for her.

Secondly, in a few days to a few weeks, she will calm down.  Adult cats tend to be more tolerant of kittens.  However, it takes time for them to go through the "getting to know you" rituals which involve some hissing, spitting, growling and the like.  Ignore it.  She will not really hurt the kittens.

There are two rules I go by when cats are introduced to each other: (1) No human interference (no discipline, no separation) as it is always counter productive and (2) Humans do not understand the rules of cat inter-relationships.

In a few days to a couple of weeks, they may begin to play chase, and, even if it ends up in a "fight", this is a good thing.

You may want to have another litter pan in a different part of the household in case she gets territorial over her litter pan.

There is, of course, no guarantee that they will really get along, but only time will tell.

Best regards... Norm.