Introduction of a 5month kitten and 18 year old cat, both females.

Question
My 18 year old female cat lost her son two years ago.  She has getting lonely lately, so we got a 5 month old female kitten.  It has been a nightmare.  The older cat hisses and attacks the young kitten constantly.  What do I do?  The older cat is attached to me, since I have had her since a kitten.  The little one just wants to play.

Thank You.  Nancy

Answer
Hi Nancy,

Introducing a cat in the household as you know is a little tricky. Here are some tips. Keep the new one separate from the older for about a week. If you can keep the little one in a completely separate room with her own stuff. After the week switch places. This will get your older used to the newer's smell. Get a product called Feliway. It is a cat pheromone spray that acts as a kitty tranquilizer. Spray this around. Try introducing your little one again. You can also put her in a cat box when you introduce her. Bring her into the others room for about a hour and see what happens. Increase the time if there are no problems. When all seems fine release them together. Remember one thing though, occasionally territorial problems may crop up again. Let the cats settle it themselves. They usually do. Also if your little one is not spayed it would be good to get that done. And one last thing, most problems settle out with time. Good luck and let me know what happens.

Ciao, Karen