- Joined
- Aug 9, 2016
- Messages
- 38
- Purraise
- 6
I'll try and keep this short! We have 2 kittens, both 14 weeks but unrelated (this was unplanned, we got one and then happened to rescue another who was being neglected because we just couldn't leave him). 2 mlds, currently unneutered.
The neglected kitty needed lots of meds, so for first couple of weeks was completely quarantined. We then started slow introductions with the vets say so - meeting through bars, spending time in each other's spaces, sniffing through doors etc.
Now we have started to give them full contact short play sessions, which I think are going OK, but my boyfriend is flapping and worrying about!
They pounce on each other from first sight and wrestle almost continuously. It looks rough but is almost completely silent. One kitten is definitely a bit more boisterous than the other and doesn't seem to understand cat social cues about when is too much, so there can be a bit of hissing and squealing (from both) but not so I would worry.
They take it in turns being the 'hunter' although that again is slightly unfairly weighed towards the boisterous kitten.
Although the wrestling is near constant, if they are allowed a long time to play it does slow down (takes about 2hours!) Yesterday they even took a break together and ate food from bowls next to each other which I feel like they wouldn't do if they were too stressed or one felt bullied.
The calmer one does hide sometimes, hissing if the other cat gets too close to his hiding spot, but immediately pounces on him as soon as his back is turned. He often softly starts the play if the other one is bored.
My questions are then, is this normal? I'd say yes but my boyfriend is very worried about how rough they play (it does look awful sometimes, but again silent) and how relentless it is. He says he's concerned the calmer kitten won't be able to get away if it's too much for him. Valid concerns, but it doesn't seem that bad to me. He has his safe places and is immediately OK whether the play stops or if they are separated. No indication of stress. I am concerned that the more boisterous kitty doesn't seem to know when to stop however. He suckles still too so I feel was inadequately socialised.
My boyfriend separates them sometimes and not others. I've said that it will just seem arbitrary to the cats and they won't be learning anything. I think we should let them at it for an entire evening to start, give them more space and time. I feel like right now every time they see each other is a novelty so are going in all guns blazing.
What are your thoughts? And how best to integrate when one is undersocialised?
The neglected kitty needed lots of meds, so for first couple of weeks was completely quarantined. We then started slow introductions with the vets say so - meeting through bars, spending time in each other's spaces, sniffing through doors etc.
Now we have started to give them full contact short play sessions, which I think are going OK, but my boyfriend is flapping and worrying about!
They pounce on each other from first sight and wrestle almost continuously. It looks rough but is almost completely silent. One kitten is definitely a bit more boisterous than the other and doesn't seem to understand cat social cues about when is too much, so there can be a bit of hissing and squealing (from both) but not so I would worry.
They take it in turns being the 'hunter' although that again is slightly unfairly weighed towards the boisterous kitten.
Although the wrestling is near constant, if they are allowed a long time to play it does slow down (takes about 2hours!) Yesterday they even took a break together and ate food from bowls next to each other which I feel like they wouldn't do if they were too stressed or one felt bullied.
The calmer one does hide sometimes, hissing if the other cat gets too close to his hiding spot, but immediately pounces on him as soon as his back is turned. He often softly starts the play if the other one is bored.
My questions are then, is this normal? I'd say yes but my boyfriend is very worried about how rough they play (it does look awful sometimes, but again silent) and how relentless it is. He says he's concerned the calmer kitten won't be able to get away if it's too much for him. Valid concerns, but it doesn't seem that bad to me. He has his safe places and is immediately OK whether the play stops or if they are separated. No indication of stress. I am concerned that the more boisterous kitty doesn't seem to know when to stop however. He suckles still too so I feel was inadequately socialised.
My boyfriend separates them sometimes and not others. I've said that it will just seem arbitrary to the cats and they won't be learning anything. I think we should let them at it for an entire evening to start, give them more space and time. I feel like right now every time they see each other is a novelty so are going in all guns blazing.
What are your thoughts? And how best to integrate when one is undersocialised?
