I just have a few questions regarding introducing a new cat. My two seem to be having some issues and I don't know if I'm being paranoid and it's fine or if there are problems.
Catsby, who is 8 months old, has been living with us since she was 8 weeks old. She was adopted from the county animal shelter and has been a wonderful kitty. My husband and I decided that maybe she needed a friend. We've not had any luck finding a suitable kitty, but yesterday found a beautiful little male, 8 weeks old, who was playful but not insane. We adopted him and picked him up today from the vet after his checkup. He was given a clean bill of health, and we took him home to introduce to Catsby.
We tried just having him in the cage and there was no hissing or angry looking ears, so we let him out. They sniffed and played a bit, and we were really excited that they were getting along. About an hour later things changed... the kitten was invading Catsby's space and she swatted at him, no claws (I know this is fine, and normal) but the kitten attacked back! We had to pull them apart as the kitten had all of his claws out and was biting- thankfully Catsby has longer hair and didn't get smacked in the eyes or anything.
The problem is this keeps happening. Catsby doesn't seem to especially like the kitten, but isn't hissing, keeps her ears up, and is actually more cuddly with us than before. I'm just concerned about the kitten. He doesn't seem to get that he's smaller and not the alpha kitty here. He is part bengal (his mom was what looked to be a first gen. cross) and she bred with a non-bengal- we were concerned the bengal part of him might just be a little feisty and unwilling to back down. Any suggestions? I know this little guy is going to be a handful (he likes to climb on everything and jump off everything, and screams-not meows but screams- when you move him off of tables and stuff). We're just worried he won't learn to backdown and one of them will get hurt!
Catsby, who is 8 months old, has been living with us since she was 8 weeks old. She was adopted from the county animal shelter and has been a wonderful kitty. My husband and I decided that maybe she needed a friend. We've not had any luck finding a suitable kitty, but yesterday found a beautiful little male, 8 weeks old, who was playful but not insane. We adopted him and picked him up today from the vet after his checkup. He was given a clean bill of health, and we took him home to introduce to Catsby.
We tried just having him in the cage and there was no hissing or angry looking ears, so we let him out. They sniffed and played a bit, and we were really excited that they were getting along. About an hour later things changed... the kitten was invading Catsby's space and she swatted at him, no claws (I know this is fine, and normal) but the kitten attacked back! We had to pull them apart as the kitten had all of his claws out and was biting- thankfully Catsby has longer hair and didn't get smacked in the eyes or anything.
The problem is this keeps happening. Catsby doesn't seem to especially like the kitten, but isn't hissing, keeps her ears up, and is actually more cuddly with us than before. I'm just concerned about the kitten. He doesn't seem to get that he's smaller and not the alpha kitty here. He is part bengal (his mom was what looked to be a first gen. cross) and she bred with a non-bengal- we were concerned the bengal part of him might just be a little feisty and unwilling to back down. Any suggestions? I know this little guy is going to be a handful (he likes to climb on everything and jump off everything, and screams-not meows but screams- when you move him off of tables and stuff). We're just worried he won't learn to backdown and one of them will get hurt!