is it ok to leave my kitten and cat home alone for a week together?

Question
Hi, i have a 9 year old female siamese and now almost 5 month male siamese. Things are progressing well in our house hold, but there is still alot of hissing and spitting from the older one whenever the little is around her, and lots of growling. No fur flying or bleeding. The littlel just wants to play with the older one, and she absolutley wants nothing to do with him. My husband said absolutley not to getting another kitten, 3 cats is too much anyways. and i am not re homing the little one because i enjoy him, hes fun and i would worry that someone else would treat him badly. My husband and i are going on vacation in March for 1 week. I am not going to pay to kennel them, so my options are to seperate them when we leave or to leave them both home and have someone come by daily to check on them.. I don't know what is the right thing, if they were friends and cuddled i would not even worry about it. the older one is sooooo mad and hates the kitten! i dont want anyone to get hurt if they are home alone for 7 nights. both are fixed and declawed. Everyone says if they have not killed each other yet, they wont.. What is your opinion? the kitten is my first cat. My husband had the older cat years back before we met, so i am not as familiar with cats yet. They are fine together its just when he wants to play with her, he jumps on her and i think he bites her because she makes this horrific sound like she is dying and runs away and he chases her and tries to jump on her again. and she just hides and growls and tries to swat him, but no claws. Any advice? will they be ok for a week with out us here and just being checked on daily? or should i send the kitten off with a friend and have the older one home alone?? Thanks for your help
Rebecca

Answer
Rebecca,

You can leave them alone but it would be lonely for the kitten with no one to play with except "grouchy kitty". But a lot of times the hissing and growing is for show and they get along OK when they are alone. Your Siamese may never like him but will learn to tolerate him, which is sad for the kitten who wants to play. But he will adapt.

If a friend would take good care of the kitty and give it love and play with it that would be good. The only drawback is that the kitten is getting used to you and your home and will have to get used to another one so soon after yours, then come back and get used to yours again. It's a 50-50 decision.

She also needs more types of toys to play with to keep her amused by herself. A kitty condo that she can climb up on and look out the window at birds, etc. would be nice for her too. (a nice guilt present for leaving her alone!)

Have a nice vacation. Everything shoud be OK.
Tabbi