Gradual behavior change in Missy

I currently have 2 female cats. Missy is around 10 months and Ashley is around 2 years. Ever since I got Ashley a few months ago I've been noticing that Missy has slowly been getting more and more timid. Before Ashley whenever someone came to the door Missy would be sitting just inside to see who it was. Now she finds some cover and peeks out to see who it is. If it's someone she recognizes then she'll come out after 10-15 seconds. If it's someone new she'll stay under cover or slink her way around the edges of the room for 5 minutes or so before coming over to investigate the new person. I've also noticed that occasionally when Missy goes to another room she will slowly approach the doorway and take a look around the room before entering as if she's expecting something to jump out at her.

Another behavior change I've noticed just in the past week is that if Missy is involved with a toy and she spots Ashley she will freeze and her tail will puff up. She'll stare at Ashley for 4-5 seconds before resuming playing. It doesn't matter where Ashley is or how near or far she is.

This would lead me to think that Missy is wary of Ashley except that they frequently sleep next to each other and Missy initiates 90% or so of the wrestling that I see and they haven't fought or hissed at each other since the first week Ashley was here.

Is this anything that I should try to do something about? Does it sound like a dominance issue? Or might it just be part of her maturing from kitten to adult?

Mez

Just wondering - have you made sure her eye sight is ok?

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Just wondering - have you made sure her eye sight is ok?

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How do I check (other than a vet visit or whatever)? Missy never jumps or hesitates when she sees me and I can wave a piece of food from across the room and Missy will come running.

Mez

Sounds like cat stuff to me. I would chalk it up to pecking order, #2 kitty has some way has made #1 kitty feel different. I had this happen about 7 years ago. I brought home a new kitten, and my cat turned into a different person, I found a home for my new kitten, and my cat changed right back to her old ways! It was wonderful!

K.

A vet check would be the best. Is she due for an annual check up soon, anyways?

And I wouldn't jump to get rid of either kitty, I'm sure mezlo is very attached to both of them. You can try using some of the plug in diffusers like Feliway - though it doesn't sound as if Missy is afraid of Ashley.
As for why she recognizes you instantly, and the "I have food" motion - scent, voice/tone, you probably say her name or "food", and she recognizes that you're offering her food.
If it is her eye sight, think of it as maybe someone who's very near sighted - we can still see, but details are fuzzy.