Hello, a newcomer to the forums here! 
I'm worried, and I need your input to put my mind at ease.
My concern is about the relationship between my 1-year-old oriental shorthair, Nanna (female), and a new addition, 5-month-old Sulo (male, also OSH).
Like a typical oriental, Nanna is energetic, super active and a little clingy. She need a lot of attention and a LOT of playtime. I've done my best to play with her a lot daily and offering her plenty of toys and perches, but it simply doesn't seem to cut it! Whenever I'd sit down to do some work, she'd start wandering around and yowling for my attention.
Naturally I thought a cat friend could ease her boredom, so two weeks ago I found a kitten of the same breed to match her personality and energy levels, a brave little boy, Sulo. I started the introduction slowly, giving Sulo his own "safe room" with everything he needs, and allowing the two cats to sniff each other under the door and eventually from both sides of a cracked door, switching rooms every now and then.
Nanna's reactions were very aggressive from the start, with a lot of hissing, growling and attempted swatting.
After a week and a half the hissing and growling stopped enough for me to see how the two would fare face to face. The little boy was brave and curious, eager to make friends despite the cold welcome. Nanna took an approach I didn't expect; Instead of directly challenging the kitten, she started stalking him around the house, following him and never letting him leave her sight. Whenever the opportunity arises, she'll charge at Sulo; she doesn't even always swat him, but it seems as if she wants to intimidate and startle him. Sulo has become wary of Nanna, not daring to approach me if Nanna is between us. I can distract Sulo with a toy, but there is no distracting Nanna; whenever Sulo is out of his safe room, all of her energy goes into staring at and stalking him.
When they're both free, Nanna often chases the kitten around the house, but I am not sure if this is aggressive or not. There is no puffed tails, hissing, growling, or flattened ears. There is some mad tail swishing, though. Sulo sometimes swats back, but Nanna seems to always be the aggressor, a bit of a "bully". I often break the fight up just in case, without really knowing if it was necessary or not.
Even though the little one is being bullied, Nanna is clearly the one who is more stressed out, being less affectionate and playful than prior to Sulo moving in. Even when Sulo is locked away in the other room, Nanna can't seem to properly relax. It's very likely she's jealous, but she doesn't really want my affection when Sulo is around.
I'd really like the two to get along as friends, and not simply tolerate each other, as I got a second cat specifically to keep company to Nanna!
Should I be worried yet? Will the "bullying" eventually end? Or would Nanna be happier as the only cat, after all?
Thanks in advance! Let me know if there's more information I could provide.
I'm worried, and I need your input to put my mind at ease.My concern is about the relationship between my 1-year-old oriental shorthair, Nanna (female), and a new addition, 5-month-old Sulo (male, also OSH).
Like a typical oriental, Nanna is energetic, super active and a little clingy. She need a lot of attention and a LOT of playtime. I've done my best to play with her a lot daily and offering her plenty of toys and perches, but it simply doesn't seem to cut it! Whenever I'd sit down to do some work, she'd start wandering around and yowling for my attention.
Naturally I thought a cat friend could ease her boredom, so two weeks ago I found a kitten of the same breed to match her personality and energy levels, a brave little boy, Sulo. I started the introduction slowly, giving Sulo his own "safe room" with everything he needs, and allowing the two cats to sniff each other under the door and eventually from both sides of a cracked door, switching rooms every now and then.
Nanna's reactions were very aggressive from the start, with a lot of hissing, growling and attempted swatting.
After a week and a half the hissing and growling stopped enough for me to see how the two would fare face to face. The little boy was brave and curious, eager to make friends despite the cold welcome. Nanna took an approach I didn't expect; Instead of directly challenging the kitten, she started stalking him around the house, following him and never letting him leave her sight. Whenever the opportunity arises, she'll charge at Sulo; she doesn't even always swat him, but it seems as if she wants to intimidate and startle him. Sulo has become wary of Nanna, not daring to approach me if Nanna is between us. I can distract Sulo with a toy, but there is no distracting Nanna; whenever Sulo is out of his safe room, all of her energy goes into staring at and stalking him.
When they're both free, Nanna often chases the kitten around the house, but I am not sure if this is aggressive or not. There is no puffed tails, hissing, growling, or flattened ears. There is some mad tail swishing, though. Sulo sometimes swats back, but Nanna seems to always be the aggressor, a bit of a "bully". I often break the fight up just in case, without really knowing if it was necessary or not.
Even though the little one is being bullied, Nanna is clearly the one who is more stressed out, being less affectionate and playful than prior to Sulo moving in. Even when Sulo is locked away in the other room, Nanna can't seem to properly relax. It's very likely she's jealous, but she doesn't really want my affection when Sulo is around.
I'd really like the two to get along as friends, and not simply tolerate each other, as I got a second cat specifically to keep company to Nanna!
Should I be worried yet? Will the "bullying" eventually end? Or would Nanna be happier as the only cat, after all?
Thanks in advance! Let me know if there's more information I could provide.
It breaks my heart. I try to be with both cats equally, but still. Should I just let the cat meow?
