Help please!!!

My cat Tilly just turned one-year-old about two weeks ago maybe and I just found a new kitten today he's about 4 weeks old and Tilly hissing at me and the kitten, I don't want to give him away because I accidentally hit my sister's cat with the car and I feel bad about it and I feel like tilly needs a new companion and he's just so tiny and I've already gotten attached what do I do to make tilly like him? it's not that he's a baby I know that for sure because when I had my daughter 10 months ago, Tilly was fine so why doesn't she like this kitten? I guess it's not a human baby but why doesn't she like him?

Hi @jordie13098!

You seem kind of upset/distraught, so I suggest that you start by taking a few deep breaths.  Cats are quite good at reading our emotions and knowing how we are feeling, and you might be making your original resident kitty more upset about the newcomer.

That said, how did you introduce the two cats to each other?  There are several articles here on TCS that I found helpful several weeks ago when I brought home a new cat:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-successfully-introduce-cats-the-ultimate-guide

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

Jordie13098,

It just takes time for an existing cat to get used to someone coming into their territory. dorimon gives great links and they should help and we can fill in the blanks.

Tilly is feeling a little insecure most likely. The hissing is normal but do not let them together. I am not an expert in kittens (I only take in older cats) so others can fill you in on the proper process of introducing a kitten but I would keep the kitten quarantined and get him checked out by a vet and then the proper treatments tests when the vet sees fit.

In the meantime you want to build Tilly's confidence. That is done by play and then treats and food, you want to pay attention to Tilly and give her love. Eventually you'll do the feeding and play near the room the kitten is in, then some scent swapping, then some site swapping (all with good stuff like food, play and treats) and then you would want them to see each other a little while their eating and playing and then a little bit more and then finally they'll be able to meet. It is a process but done slowly and correctly it will help get them to at worst tolerate each other and at best be best friends. I have done this many times and it has not failed me yet. but it is a process that should not be rushed.

I totally agree with dorimon, cats take on our energy and emotions, If we are stressed or afraid they become like that, if we are calm and confident then they take that on. Try to be as calm and confident as possible.

Once Tilly associates the kitten with good stuff (food, play) then Tilly should accept him (and vice versa).

I am so glad you are taking this new kitten in. Thank you so much for caring about him.

Please feel free to ask any questions, we'll hopefully be able to help you through the process.