We have a 15-month old cat, Bella, and we recently acquired a new 4-month old kitten, Mae. Both are spayed females. We've kept Mae isolated in a room for a few days, and she's been checked by our vet. We let the cats sniff each other through a gap in the door, and tonight we introduced them. These are my first 2 cats and I've never really observed cats, and I'm scared to death and having trouble interpreting their behaviour!
- Bella chased Mae around and the two of them rolled around and appeared to be biting each other, but not scratching. The kitten squeaked sometimes and we sort of distracted them and they stopped.
- Mae started drinking from Bella's water bowl, and Bella drank at the same time and then licked Mae's head a few times.
- Sometimes they both lay down and stared at each other.
- Mae occasionally hid under the couch (Bella can't get there) but didn't really appear to be hiding much.
- Neither cat hissed or growled.
Basically, I don't know if they were getting along or fighting, and while Bella is generally a very laid-back cat, I don't want her to hurt Mae by biting her or something. Were the squeaks pain squeaks? I just don't know! Any advice would be much appreciated. We plan on continuing to separate the cats at night and while we're out during the day, but should we let them continue the behaviour described above while we supervise? I just don't know what to do!
- Bella chased Mae around and the two of them rolled around and appeared to be biting each other, but not scratching. The kitten squeaked sometimes and we sort of distracted them and they stopped.
- Mae started drinking from Bella's water bowl, and Bella drank at the same time and then licked Mae's head a few times.
- Sometimes they both lay down and stared at each other.
- Mae occasionally hid under the couch (Bella can't get there) but didn't really appear to be hiding much.
- Neither cat hissed or growled.
Basically, I don't know if they were getting along or fighting, and while Bella is generally a very laid-back cat, I don't want her to hurt Mae by biting her or something. Were the squeaks pain squeaks? I just don't know! Any advice would be much appreciated. We plan on continuing to separate the cats at night and while we're out during the day, but should we let them continue the behaviour described above while we supervise? I just don't know what to do!