New kitten and cat fighting or playing?

Hey all, great forum and I hope someone can offer some insight. We have a one year old girl called Simba who is a lovely cat, wouldn't harm a fly. Two weeks ago we got a 13 week old kitten called Lily, she is very loving and has adapted brilliantly. I introduced them properly and in the day Lily is in her own large room with litter tray and food etc, I come to feed her and let her out at lunch. So they are getting on in they will eat near eachother, even share the same bowl the naughty things haha which is great ( they have their own of course) . Lily likes to tease and chase Simba and they have started playing/fighting, it seems fine until Simba pins Lily down and goes in on her. Simba appears to sniff/breathe very heavily, Lily lies on her back and bats her still. Often Lily will chase her back but sometimes Lily does let out a screech. I have a video but not sure how to post? would love some help or peace of mind!

Chris

Posted the video on YouTube, thoughts? [VIDEO][/VIDEO]

For a two-week period of knowing each other, it doesn't seem too bad to me. Simba, obviously, is confused as to who this is. (Humans are the exact same way, especially females.) It sounds alarming when one or other of them shrieks, but I think they will work it out eventually. Simba is not going berserk or even hiding. She wants to engage with this interloper. Notice that Lily frequently lies on her back & exposes her tummy. This is the most vulnerable position for a cat & she is trying to tell Simba that she accepts her as alpha cat. You might consider buying a cat tree so one or other of them can get away from the other & "be on top", which they love.

Thank you Primula, really good observations and what you are saying makes sense. Do you think it's too early to leave them alone in the day or shall I keep Lily in her large room? I've got a three storey house and Simba uses the cat flap so they are not on top of each other as such. I will get a cat tree this week also, good idea I just want both to be happy ( as much as a pud can be haha grumpy things).

Cheers

Let me ask you this 1st: is Simba using the cat flap to go outside? It is very dangerous for a cat to go outside & Lily definitely can't follow her & also go outside.

No, I would not leave them alone all day. Simba might resent you for leaving her with Lily all day. Best to supervise them & break them up, if necessary. You don't want them to get into bad habits while you are away. My 2 females, e.g., are not allowed in my bedroom unsupervised. For some reason they get very rambunctious in there.

I suggest 3 litter boxes. One each & a spare since cats like options.

You have a 3-story house, which is good. Lots of room for them to play.

Hello, yes Simba goes outside, we live in a rural area in a nice quiet cul de sac with lots of cats around, it's a great environment for any cat to live. Lily does not go outside yet, she has had her jabs of course and when the time is right she will go outside too. Lily has her own litter box and Simba goes outside so that's not an issue. I have today noticed Lily is not starting a play session as much as usual, but Simba is. Simba is being a little less rough though but that could be just for now. I shall continue to supervise. Las night Simba was sleeping in my sock draw and Lily was also in there, they slept for a while together. The one thing I find strange is the noise Simba keeps making when they play, it's like a big sniffing noise? Quite loud. I don't know if this is aggression or not, it doesn't seem it but I am not sure.

Amazing that they slept together for a while. Very encouraging. Don't know about Simba's noise - maybe just excitement? One thing I forgot to say - keep in mind that even if occasionally things get tense it is still stimulating & interesting for both of them, especially Simba who was alone before. Even if a cat's companion annoys them sometimes I still think it is better than the cat living alone. I shouldn't over-generalize though. Obviously many cats prefer to be alone.

Thanks Primula I know what you mean and it makes sense. Yesterday they were playing like in my video but Lily didn't make any noise, even fought back more, I am encouraged and feeling much better now. I love my girls and their happiness is paramount to me. Now I just need to work out why Lily is making the most horrendous smells. I feed her on royal canin but it's quite new to her so maybe she needs to get used to it.

This is playful wrestling, no doubt.  Laying ont the back is here not for praying for mercy, but its a classical and rahter  strong defensive position.  You can see she Lily reaches out and teases anew Simba.  The moments when Sima is pinning her down is to show whom is the master cat here,  its no realy bad will behind...

And yeas there may be some screetching and shrieking.  Lotsa of fun, precisely alike you riding on the amusement park on the highest up and down attractions there, no?

Do keep an eye on them, but its pure friendly wrestling. No doubt.

Lily is btw classic tabby (marble, blortched, bulls eye), while Sima is a tortie and tabby - probalby broken mackerel - ie she is a torbie

simbalily said:

Thanks Primula I know what you mean and it makes sense. Yesterday they were playing like in my video but Lily didn't make any noise, even fought back more, I am encouraged and feeling much better now. I love my girls and their happiness is paramount to me. Now I just need to work out why Lily is making the most horrendous smells. I feed her on royal canin but it's quite new to her so maybe she needs to get used to it.

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Hmm, not once have I had that problem with a cat.