cat & kitten integration

Question
I have a 14 year old female cat, who is, to say lightly, grumpy and set in her ways.  She's not a mean cat, just not highly social and really stubborn.  She prefers me to anyone else.

My husband recently let my 7 year old daughter adopt a kitten from a shelter.  This kitten is roughly 12 weeks old now and has been neutered.  This kitten is three times more active than the older cat ever was and four times more mischievous.

My problem is that the older cat does NOT handle change well at all.  She's not always eating, which causes her to get sick.

I'm wondering if there's anything that can be done to help her adjust.  I keep the kitten and the dog our of our room because that's the older cat's room, and I want her to have a place of refuge that's all her own.  Is this the right thing?  It's how it's always been since we got the dog (8 years ago).

This kitten just doesn't learn!  We're having trouble litter training her (she would go in her litter box then suddenly decided to use my daughter's dresser drawers as one), she eats anything that's out (she gets fed daily, so I know she's not starving!) and is generally hyper.

HELP!  How can I help the older one adjust, and get this little one under a bit more control?  I know that cats are not like dogs, so therefore don't willingly follow directions.  We've even tried the watergun trick and it doesn't faze her.  Short of locking her in my daughter's room at nights or during meals, what do I do?

Thanks for any advice.

Beth

Answer
Hi Beth,

Try getting something called Feliway. It acts as a kitty tranquilizer. Spray this around the house. This should help. Try using a different litter for the little one. She may not like the type she has. Try using a different scoopable or something like Cedariffic. Kittens are hyper. There isn't much you can do about that. Try a lot of play. Get a laser pointer, (the pet stores have a great one called the Cricket), and tire her out. This will also help. See how these things work. Good luck and let me know what happens.

Ciao, Karen