I just adopted a 9 week old female tabby (2 weeks ago). I have an 8 year old male tabby. I assumed that he would exert his "alpha male" power right away, but he seems AFRAID of the kitten. She always "rushes" him, all puffed up, stiff legged, and he runs away. As a last resort he'll bat at her and growl, but she is unfazed. She chases him all over the house about two times a day!
She sleeps a LOT and she's not ALWAYS bothering him - he has plenty of "no kitten" time. But I'm worried. She seems so sweet with me and my husband, but I really want my 2 cats to be friends. Will she always dominate him? Is there anything I can do? She even lashes out at him if he tries to bat at her toy or sniffs at "her" food bowl.
...but maybe this is just the way kittens are? I've only had 1 kitten, and it was a long time ago, and never with another cat.
Thanks!
She sleeps a LOT and she's not ALWAYS bothering him - he has plenty of "no kitten" time. But I'm worried. She seems so sweet with me and my husband, but I really want my 2 cats to be friends. Will she always dominate him? Is there anything I can do? She even lashes out at him if he tries to bat at her toy or sniffs at "her" food bowl.
...but maybe this is just the way kittens are? I've only had 1 kitten, and it was a long time ago, and never with another cat.
Thanks!