Can a kitten stress an adult cat too much?

About a month ago I added a 6 year old cat to the family. I already had a 1 year old kitten, Misty. Misty is very needy and after adjusting to the new cat, JoJo, she now loves him. Misty pounces on his back whenever he tries to walk through the house. She will bat at him on her back and he will bat back. Misty doesn't have claws so I know she won't hurt him but he does, so I figured that he would just smack her hard if she pissed him off too much. That doesn't seem to be the case. He definetly seems annoyed at her, and she just won't lay off him. The relationship is great for her because she has become alot less destructive with him here, but I am afraid it is wearing him out and stressing him too much.

JoJo is normally the sweetest cat. He would sleep next to my head every night and jump on my lap wherever I was. He would love attention from anyone and would sit where everyone walked past him so they would have to pet him. He was so much more social than Misty. Lately though, he has been hiding under the bed constantly and being very antisocial. He even hissed at my fiance the other day when he looked at him under the bed yesterday. Even today, when I tried to pet him under the bed, he backed away from me. I don't want him being unhappy and I don't know what to do. Was it a mistake getting an older cat or could he just be moody the past few days? Any advice would be great!

Originally Posted by AliAbrams

JoJo is normally the sweetest cat. He would sleep next to my head every night and jump on my lap wherever I was. He would love attention from anyone and would sit where everyone walked past him so they would have to pet him. He was so much more social than Misty. Lately though, he has been hiding under the bed constantly and being very antisocial. He even hissed at my fiance the other day when he looked at him under the bed yesterday. Even today, when I tried to pet him under the bed, he backed away from me. I don't want him being unhappy and I don't know what to do. Was it a mistake getting an older cat or could he just be moody the past few days? Any advice would be great!

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Since this is a recent change in JoJo's behavior, please take him to a vet to make sure he is ok. The changes you are describing could mean JoJo is either ill or in pain. If the vet says everything is ok, then you can start dealing with behavioral issues between the two cats...it could be they just need more time to get used to each other.

AliAbrams, wow, I could have written that myself .

I have recently introduced Napoleon to Cassie in the last few months. Cassie was the resident cat, and had essentially no cat interaction or socialization since she was a kitten.

If I said it was easy, I'd really be lying to everyone here and to myself!!!

It's been a lot of work...

I would venture to say that it's behavioral than anything else...of course, if you notice any litter box changes, eating changes, vomiting, etc DEFINITELY take h im to the vet...otherwise, I think the kitten just wants a playmate, and JoJo, never having dealt with this before, does not know how to react to the little one.

My advice would be to invest in a feliway diffuser and feliway spray...I'm not going to say it's life altering, but I can say, it certainly has helped...if you notice there is a particular area where the little one pounces on JoJo, spritz a little Feliway there (it's expensive, so make it last LOL)...I've been doing that in places here and there and again, I'm not saying it was everything to do with it, but my cats have almost called a truce between one another!

Also, play therapy makes a HUGE difference in the behavior of a cat...it's a natural stress reliever and gives you time to interact with both of your cats in a positive manner. I had fashioned a jingly mouse on a long shoe lace and will drag it across the house which Napoleon goes NUTSO over!!! I also invested in Da Bird which is the BEST CAT TOY IN THE WORLD (cannot stress that enough). A laser pointer works wonders too.

There is a link here on PT for cats and its importance in integration of cats. Also, be sure to carry a nice slew of treats for them...believe me, when I say "treats" the cats could be having a staring contest, and they come running from every direction!!!!

Cassie has been getting better although she has been depressed as of recently...as soon as I break out Da Bird though, all things fall to the wayside .

I hope this helps! This board is also full of so many experts too, and be sure to page through the behavior site!