So, a couple of days ago we brought home our second cat, Milo. He's nearing on 13 weeks old as we speak. He was primarily meant as company for our big guy, Charlie. Me and my domestic partner is home a large portion of the day due to me currently studying and him working 50-75%, but since we know that's going to change in the future we thought we might as well nip that problem in the butt and get him a little buddy during the holidays.
Charlie is 6-7 months old and still very playful, great we thought, as he might match a little kitten's energy levels for the majority of it's adolesence. However we did not expect to be going home with the runt of the litter so the size difference between the two is quite apparent (picture here). Aside from the first day and a half, where Charlie was a bit growly and hissy, he's accepted the newcomer's presence pretty well. If he knows the little guy is sleeping or not moving around too much, he can do the same and relax. They can eat together, no problem, even from the same bowl. The problem is, if Milo is up and moving about, Charlie will follow him around wherever he goes. He will kind of stalk him a bit, but even if he pounces and runs towrads Milo he will let out a trill and usually stop a couple of decimeters away from Milo with chest puffed out and lower body held low, as if he doesn't want to catch him TOO off guard. At this point Charlie will swat at him lightly or even go in for a grab. He doesn't use his claws but he bites Milo a little, usually not too roughly and he lets him go after a while. If Milo starts to protest we break it off between the two.
His body language is what I percieve as playful throughout this, with dilated pupils and ears pricked forward. He will also trill quite excessively. However, Milo doesn't seem too bothered with Charlie's antics. He will throw him a glance and continue with whatever he's doing. Milo used to stop, turn sideways and arch his back and hiss when he wanted Charlie to back off, now he just kind of trots/runs away. He doesn't initiate contact, nor fight back too much when he's grabbed. He'll usually just kind of go limp and maybe hiss or cry out a bit if he wants to be let go of.
I'm mainly worried about how Milo doesn't seem interested in Charlie at all. He loves playing with toys, eats like a horse and drinks healthily. He seems completely normal in every other way. I'm mainly worried about if we're somehow giving him bad experiences with Charlie and that it might spell trouble for the future. Are we wrong to let them play in the manner they're doing now? It's seems kind of awkward that the play is so one-sided.
Both were removed from their siblings at 12 weeks old so they should have been socialized plenty and Charlie has been neutered. Naturally, playtime is limited and supervised and both cats are taking turns between the bathroom and the rest of the apartment when they're kept apart.
Charlie is 6-7 months old and still very playful, great we thought, as he might match a little kitten's energy levels for the majority of it's adolesence. However we did not expect to be going home with the runt of the litter so the size difference between the two is quite apparent (picture here). Aside from the first day and a half, where Charlie was a bit growly and hissy, he's accepted the newcomer's presence pretty well. If he knows the little guy is sleeping or not moving around too much, he can do the same and relax. They can eat together, no problem, even from the same bowl. The problem is, if Milo is up and moving about, Charlie will follow him around wherever he goes. He will kind of stalk him a bit, but even if he pounces and runs towrads Milo he will let out a trill and usually stop a couple of decimeters away from Milo with chest puffed out and lower body held low, as if he doesn't want to catch him TOO off guard. At this point Charlie will swat at him lightly or even go in for a grab. He doesn't use his claws but he bites Milo a little, usually not too roughly and he lets him go after a while. If Milo starts to protest we break it off between the two.
His body language is what I percieve as playful throughout this, with dilated pupils and ears pricked forward. He will also trill quite excessively. However, Milo doesn't seem too bothered with Charlie's antics. He will throw him a glance and continue with whatever he's doing. Milo used to stop, turn sideways and arch his back and hiss when he wanted Charlie to back off, now he just kind of trots/runs away. He doesn't initiate contact, nor fight back too much when he's grabbed. He'll usually just kind of go limp and maybe hiss or cry out a bit if he wants to be let go of.
I'm mainly worried about how Milo doesn't seem interested in Charlie at all. He loves playing with toys, eats like a horse and drinks healthily. He seems completely normal in every other way. I'm mainly worried about if we're somehow giving him bad experiences with Charlie and that it might spell trouble for the future. Are we wrong to let them play in the manner they're doing now? It's seems kind of awkward that the play is so one-sided.
Both were removed from their siblings at 12 weeks old so they should have been socialized plenty and Charlie has been neutered. Naturally, playtime is limited and supervised and both cats are taking turns between the bathroom and the rest of the apartment when they're kept apart.
