My Cat and kitten constanly fight

Question
Hi

I have a 9 month old very dosile, placide and quite female cat. She is a house cat and became very lonley when i went out so i got another cat to keep her company. This is where my problem began. I got a 10 week old  male kitten who is very playful and active and constanly bites my cat who runs away from himand hides.Ocassionaly she bites him back but considering her size i dont want her to hurt the little kiten. i have introduced them slowly as recomended. the kitten also constanly bits me and never sits still unless he is exshusted. He also does not enjoy being handled. will this match ever work out or are theses cats incompatible. please help. i really dont want to rehome the small kitten but i cannot have him hurting mt older cat.  

Answer
Veronica,

When you get a companion cat it's best to get one approximately the same age and temperment. A lot of cats do NOT like kittens and won't have anything to do with them until they are grown. It could be because of their smell, or because of their energy.

It take approximately 2 weeks, and sometimes longer, for things to smooth out between the cats. They may become playmates and friends or the older cat may just put up with the new cat.

You also need to take the adjustment period slow and do the introduction process correctly for a better shot of it working out. Feed both cats yummy cat treats (like tuna or pieces of raw steak) TOGETHER. That is so the cats will associate each other with something pleasant.

Getting a pet laser light (at PetSmart, etc.) is great for interaction between the two cats. They both can chase the 'little red bug' on the floor, ceilings, and walls, and they tend to forget about the other cat as they focus on the 'bug' which helps them get used to each other.

I am including some links on cat introductions that you may find helpful: (copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar:

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

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

It just takes time and patience and lots of love and attention to your older cat, but it will soon work out OK
.
Tabbi