Getting Along

Question
I have had 1 cat for a year and we got a new kitten, but our 1 year old cat
doesn't get along with the new kitten. Whenever I pat the kitten, the 1 year
old cat smells her scent on my hand and she starts to hurt me or hiss at me.
Can you please tell me a way of getting our cats to get along? Oh and by the
way, my 1 year old cat is in her season at the moment, will de-sexing her
change her attitude towards the new kitten?

Answer
Marilyn,

Spaying your female is the best thing you can do for her. It will settle her down alot and get her hormones rebalanced.

Most cats do not like kittens. Maybe it is because of their smell or because of their energy. You need to take introductions very slow. It can take 2 weeks to a month for a cat to be tolerant and some don't like them until they are grown!

Right now your cat is stressed by both the changes in her body AND the kitten. Plus she is being territorial about 'her' home. She probably has some jealousy about the attention you give the kitten too. Make sure you give her lots of love, attention, and kitty treats too. Switching bedding where the cats sleep help also to get her used to the new kitten's smell.

It will take time and patience. I will include 2 good articles about introducing a new kitten. Copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar:

http://www.messybeast.com/first-impressions.htm

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintro...


I hope this information is helpful.
Carol