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- Nov 4, 2021
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I've got 2 kittens, Pip (female, about 11-12 weeks) and Peanut (male, about 10 weeks). We've had them about 6 weeks now.. They are both fixed and while not siblings, got them within a week of each other. They used to sleep together and groom each other, Pip being very gentle and sweet with him (we had to bottle feed him for awhile because he was taken from his mother a few weeks too early.)
Lately I've noticed some aggressive behavior with Peanut towards Pip and it feels like he's bullying her.
They play often together and sleep about a few feet apart fine, but the playing always gets rough. She doesn't seem afraid of him, despite the following, but she always submits.
Peanut often bites her on the neck and she screams and I think he's hurting her. Whenever they eat he goes for her food first despite having separate bowls and they both have plenty to eat. If they get any special treats he will eat his and then try to steal hers too if I don't stop him.
I know a lot of this is him asserting dominance and she always let's him but is there a way to minimize this? Is it just kitty puberty? Will it fade in time? I don't like him hurting her or trying to bully her food away. I think he likes her and they often get along well, but it's like lately he's constantly having to prove he's the alpha cat (he even tries to steal MY food as if he's entitled to it, while she begs but doesn't get aggressive). I'm not sure if I should let it play out or if there's something more I should do. I love them both dearly but sometimes he's a jerk and I want her to feel as if she's equal to him in my eyes.
Lately I've noticed some aggressive behavior with Peanut towards Pip and it feels like he's bullying her.
They play often together and sleep about a few feet apart fine, but the playing always gets rough. She doesn't seem afraid of him, despite the following, but she always submits.
Peanut often bites her on the neck and she screams and I think he's hurting her. Whenever they eat he goes for her food first despite having separate bowls and they both have plenty to eat. If they get any special treats he will eat his and then try to steal hers too if I don't stop him.
I know a lot of this is him asserting dominance and she always let's him but is there a way to minimize this? Is it just kitty puberty? Will it fade in time? I don't like him hurting her or trying to bully her food away. I think he likes her and they often get along well, but it's like lately he's constantly having to prove he's the alpha cat (he even tries to steal MY food as if he's entitled to it, while she begs but doesn't get aggressive). I'm not sure if I should let it play out or if there's something more I should do. I love them both dearly but sometimes he's a jerk and I want her to feel as if she's equal to him in my eyes.