Introduction not going so well...

Hi guys! I am in need of some help.

We have a cat/kitty who is around 8 months old now and he enjoyed biting a lot so we decided it would be a good idea to get a kitten for him to play with. 

Our new kitty is very beautiful however she is constantly meowing even if she doesn't want something. She will meow when you stare at her, or touch her. She meows when she is hungry or is held. She is just a very vocal kitten which is new for us as our boy cat Odie was never like this at all. 

I let the two have time together everyday however Odie will start getting rough with the new kitty as in biting her etc and she tends to meow very loud and then start hissing, but I don't know whether she is even being hurt or it is because she is just very vocal. 

I'm also not sure why Odie is being like this with her as it seems like he really wants to spend time around her. He has been 'crying' more lately if they are in two different rooms and he wont stop carrying on until he is in the room with her but then he will start attacking her. He has even learnt how to open the door to get in the room.  

Is there anyway I can get these two to play nice?!

Hi and welcome to TCS, are they both neutered, 8 months is not too young to have hormones and sexual maturity, this would be my first thought. If not make this your priority and ensure that they are both done before any further meetings. you certainly don't want 6+ tiny babies to worry about as well.

It may also be that Odie is very playful, and your new little girl is more interested in humans. Our little girl (10MO) is very vocal, and I am having to consider options carefully as OH and myself would like another pet ( preferably to re-home a greyhound, but you know race dogs, small furry creatures). We've also thought about another cat, but my girl is indoor only, and then comes the difficulty of shelters, cats being allowed outside (we live in the UK indoor cats are certainly unusual).

But enough about us.

If you want to create a calmer environment for introductions, you can try many things, from what you have posted it seems that they are excitable when they meet. I would recommend some cardboard scratchers (you don't have to buy them, just grab some scrap card, cut it into strips and tape it together)  put one or two in with each cat. After a couple of days, swap them over. Keep doing this as the smell will mingle together. eventually they will get used to the other cat's smell. then you can start putting a few treats down in the swapped areas to encourage positive reinforcement. You need to build the relationship over time.

Even though they have already met, you can still do this effectively to make the whole process go a little more smoothly.

When you do get them in the same area, try and play with them at the same time, but separately so that they do not see each other as targets but more companions, and play mates.

I hope this helps keep us posted.

~Kiss

They will work it out, it just takes time. I have had dozens of cats over the past several decades & introductions are always stressful, but eventually they figure it our. Also kittens & cats can play very rough, which is painful (at least to me) to watch. Why can't they just groom each other & be loving?!?!!! It's just normal cat behavior in my experience. Try not to stress & let them work it out. If Odie is significantly larger than the kitten, you may want to supervise them when they are together and keep them separated when you arent' there, only until the kitten is big enough to hold her own. 

I'm a big believer in doing systematic introductions.. it solves a whole lot of problems, you can take it at their pace and quite often they'll get on much better in the long run.

We even have this, to help you along  [article="32680"]How To Successfully Introduce Cats The Ultimate Guide​[/article] and you can certainly start all over again, even though they've met.

I would echo the others suggestions. Go through the introduction process, it is really important (though I have to admit I only take in adult ferals so I am not experienced in introducing kittens).

Also, play with the Odie, tire him out. I mean really play with him and then after play feed him. If they are together (which they really shouldn't be yet) then if Odie focuses on the new kitten distract him with play. You want him to play with toys not the kitten. 

Please feel free to ask anything, we are here to help. You'll get them to get along but it is a process adn going through the process will help a lot.