I got a 2.5-month-old intact male kitten about a week and a half ago, and already have had a 3-year-old spayed adult female for almost a year. Since the kitten came home I’ve been feeding them on opposite sides of the door, keeping them in separate rooms, and letting them smell things that smell like the other. They currently are no longer hissing or growling at all. However, there have been several instances where one of them will break out of their room while I am coming in or out, and they will instantly begin chasing and fighting each other, even if one is distracted with a toy.

In the most recent instance of this, my older cat didn’t do anything, but ignored the kitten swatting at her. My older cat never throws the first punch either, and she tried to lick him when I was holding him the other day.

With so many negative interactions though, I’m worried they will never get along, and my kitten doesn’t seem to be lessening any aggression. We have an appointment to get him neutered but there weren’t any openings until about a month from now.

Does anyone have any advice or wise words for helping my cat and new kitten get along? Should I try to get a neuter appointment that’s sooner?

Thank you!