Kitten/Cat Introduction - 6 weeks in, final form?

I've posted before, we had a fairly tense kitten/cat introduction with a 7-year-old adult and a 3-month-old kitten in our 900 sq ft studio apartment.

We saw progress and changes about every other day. Now, 6 weeks in, it seems like we've arrived at how things are going to be.

They coexist, but have such drastically different personalities that no amount of separating + reintroduction is going to make them friends right now. The difference in energy levels is the issue and will be for a very long time I suspect. The adult is a runt so these two are already the same size. As expected, the kitten is a fun-loving ball of energy that wants to be in the adult's face and play. He'll ambush but is always very gentle and lands on his back under her in a submissive way. The adult doesn't see the fun in it and pretty much hates his guts. We play with both cats to get a lot of energy out as well.

So I'm left wondering, do I focus on encouraging the adult to tolerate the kitten somehow? Or do I focus on making the kitten understand that the adult doesn't want to play with him? How do I balance positive reinforcement with punishment for taking it too far?

I know I know, everyone is going to say get another kitten so he can have a playmate. That's often the only advise I get on this forum. I recognize it has the possibility of being the best solution, but for a variety of reasons I am not going to do that.

Thanks

Things are likely to improve as the kitten gets older and mellows out. I think that it is unlikely that they will ever be friends with the difference in energy level. If they are tolerating each other and not fighting., I don't see a problem with leaving them as is. If you notice the kitten bugging the older cat, play with the kitten. Punishment doesn't really work for cats so positive reinforcement such as rewarding the older cat for spending time peacefully anywhere near the kitten would be good. Rewarding the kitten for playing with other things and leaving the older cat alone might also help some.

I think redirecting the kitten is likely to be easier than addressing the adult's behaviour (assuming that the adult ignores the kitten so long as the kitten leaves him alone). Try to be aware of what the kitten is doing, and redirect with a toy/play as soon as he shows signs of trying to pounce the adult.

Opening up as much vertical space as possible should help too - especially if it's possible to create places the adult can access but the kitten can't (ie by careful placement of cat shelves so that the jump between them id just a little too far for the kitten to make).

If there's any hint of actual fighting or bullying, do make sure they're separated when you're not home. The last thing you want is to come back to a bloodbath!

Some bigger interactive toys (such as Catit Design Senses tracks) may help give the kitten more self play options that don't involve your adult. Dangle toys that fix to the wall are another self play option for kitten. It's a case of thinking laterally so that the kitten has options that are, ideally, more interesting than your adult cat.

You might find things level out sooner than you expect. I have a 1 year old and a 13 year old, and the 1 year old is already mature enough to accept a firm 'no' from the 13 year old when it comes to play. I'm assuming your 7 year old still has some play drive, but is just objecting to being bounced at/on by a fluffy ball of energy who doesn't know when to quit!

You might find leash training your kitten and walking him helps too - its a great way to burn off youthful energy, with the added advantage that it gives your adult some definite alone time.

I have the same situation with a 14 year old female and just got a 4 month old female due to having to put down my 13 year old boy. The older tolerates her and hisses to tell the kitten no. I bought 2 feliway diffusers to help, but mostly feel like when the kitten calms down they'll hang together.

Until then I play with the kitten to expend her energy, and also hold and cuddle the older every day in front of the kitten.

My vet said to let them work out their relationship themselves unless there's fighting. The kitten backs off with the hissing of the older so I feel safe leaving them in the house together now, first week I closed up kitten in her own room.

I praise both when they're good and just watch over interactions. When holding the older, she allows the kitten to climb up and lick her! Of course I'm praising both the whole time! It's only been 2 weeks, so I'm excited with this progress!