I have a new kitten, its now four days old. I have an older cat who is eight years old and it keeps hissing?

Question

I slowly let the older cat smell the kitten but it keeps hissing at it. I have the kitten in a box and my older cat peeks at it. how long does it generally take for my older cat to accept the kitten?

Answer 1

It'll all depend on the animals. In my experience it takes a few months. Just make sure old kitty gets plenty of attention around the kitten; it shows him that he's not being replaced.

Answer 2

give it time it'll take a while

Answer 3

Don't forget to show the older cat that you still love it. When you're with both of them you may need to ignore the kitten a bit and just give affection to the older cat. Once it knows it's not being usurped by the kitten in your eyes it might be more accepting.

Answer 4

Our "old" cats did the same thing after we got two new kittens.  They feel threatened and want to protect themselves and their territory, like your cat does.  The only way they can get used to each other is with time.  Maybe you could keep the kitten in a crate for a few hours and let your cat approach it on its own so it can get used to its scent.  Even if it still hisses, that's only normal.  I'd say maybe a few weeks.  Let your other cat see that it is still loved; maybe sit with it and stroke it while your new kitten plays.  This way your cat will learn to accept the kitten and know that it is not being replaced.

Good luck!!! : )

Answer 5

This happened with my cat. she is very old and we brought in a new kitten. she hissed too. all you can do is just try to keep them seperated. or remove a cat.

Answer 6

my cat did the same thing to a kitten but it died... but we got another and he hissed a while but he got used to it after a week or so

the first kitten we got it was the place we got it from falt

Answer 7

I would keep the older cat away from the kittens for a while, the mom cat will not appreciate him being near them.  Moms are very protective of their babies.

Answer 8

Cats/Dogs are very similar to human. Just don't let your older cat think you are doting on the kitten and neglecting him, continue letting your cat (under your supervision) smell the kitten, they will be fine after a while.

When I first introduced a kitten to my then 3 year old cat, he too takes a while (one or two months) before he totally embraces the young kitten. Your's is already 8 years old, he might have marked his territory (in your house) long enough, now there's an intruder (even if it's a kitten) to share the love and care, it will take some more time before he really get used to it. Just be patient and remember to treat them equally, or even the older cat more, just to let him know he isn't being replaced.

Answer 9

Each cat has a different personality, and you can't guess how its will take for a cat to accept a new friend.

We acquired two kittens a couple of years ago, one of our existing cats took them under her wing straight away and they've been firm friends ever since.  Our other existing cat however, still hisses when she sees them, albeit with far less gusto than before!  I think it's more for my benefit anyway, I always catch them lying together and there's only ever hissing when my presence is noticed!



You are doing the right things, introducing smells etc.  You just need to give it time and have a lot of patience.  Best of luck!!

Answer 10

I just got a kitten and my older cats did the same thing. They all stopped after about a week...

Answer 11

It takes a while for them to get used

to eachother just be patient.

Answer 12

This type of stuff takes a whille the older cat need to get used to the kitten! So Give it time sooner or later they will be friends!

Answer 13

The exact same thing happened with my cat and kittens! This happened because they are probably both males. The older cat will hiss at the kitten for probably a week or so. After that they will adjust and will be fine. They are just not used to having another kitten in the house that is getting all of the attention just yet.

Answer 14

Yeah, the older cat should even tally get used to the smell of the kitten. Just make sure you supervise the kitten and cat well they are together for the kittens safety.