I need some advice on whether what I'm seeing is aggression between my two cats or just rough play.
I have 3 year old spayed female (Emily) and 6 weeks ago adopted an 18 month neutered male (Goblin). I followed the suggested guidelines for cat introductions on this site and initially things were going well. After 2 weeks they both snoozed on my lap as I watched TV. Since then things have gone downhill. Individually they are both quite timid, but Goblin is very playful (he's a teenager after all). As he has grown in confidence, he has become quite territorial. For example, if Emily is on my lap, he will jump up and she runs away. He then gets down as he isn't really a lap cat. He just doesn't like it when she is getting my attention.
Most of the time, they spend their days in different parts of the house. They do eat near each other without drama. I have three play sessions with them - before breakfast, before dinner and before their bedtime snack. These are mainly me playing with Goblin while Emily watches. This is the only time they interact. During these sessions their ears are forward, they aren't fluffed up, they aren't keeping close to the ground, there is little fur (Goblin is a long-haired cat so he is always shedding some) and definitely no yowling or blood. However, there is much tail lashing .
During these session Goblin will often stalk and pounce on Emily. She then squawks (understandably) and runs away. He chases her around and there is hissing (on her part) and swiping at each other. Emily never chases him. I can usually distract him with a toy but sometimes he just gets too riled up and won't leave her alone. I then will put in a room by himself until he calms down. Emily will sometimes go away when he is in seclusion but sometimes she hangs around until I let him out and play resumes.
So, are their interactions playful (although rougher than Emily likes) or is it aggression? I'm worried it is aggression and poor Emily is having a miserable time. Should I keep doing what I'm doing (distracting and/or separating them) when it seems to be too much or should I just leave them to it?
They are both eating normally and using the litter boxes.
Thanks
Barbara
I have 3 year old spayed female (Emily) and 6 weeks ago adopted an 18 month neutered male (Goblin). I followed the suggested guidelines for cat introductions on this site and initially things were going well. After 2 weeks they both snoozed on my lap as I watched TV. Since then things have gone downhill. Individually they are both quite timid, but Goblin is very playful (he's a teenager after all). As he has grown in confidence, he has become quite territorial. For example, if Emily is on my lap, he will jump up and she runs away. He then gets down as he isn't really a lap cat. He just doesn't like it when she is getting my attention.
Most of the time, they spend their days in different parts of the house. They do eat near each other without drama. I have three play sessions with them - before breakfast, before dinner and before their bedtime snack. These are mainly me playing with Goblin while Emily watches. This is the only time they interact. During these sessions their ears are forward, they aren't fluffed up, they aren't keeping close to the ground, there is little fur (Goblin is a long-haired cat so he is always shedding some) and definitely no yowling or blood. However, there is much tail lashing .
During these session Goblin will often stalk and pounce on Emily. She then squawks (understandably) and runs away. He chases her around and there is hissing (on her part) and swiping at each other. Emily never chases him. I can usually distract him with a toy but sometimes he just gets too riled up and won't leave her alone. I then will put in a room by himself until he calms down. Emily will sometimes go away when he is in seclusion but sometimes she hangs around until I let him out and play resumes.
So, are their interactions playful (although rougher than Emily likes) or is it aggression? I'm worried it is aggression and poor Emily is having a miserable time. Should I keep doing what I'm doing (distracting and/or separating them) when it seems to be too much or should I just leave them to it?
They are both eating normally and using the litter boxes.
Thanks
Barbara
