Let me start by saying that there's been no fighting between the boys, just the usual dominance posturing and slapping, nothing more serious than that.
But Radar has decided that he is bottom of the pecking order, and has taken up residence on the bookcases. He made early advances of friendship towards Jacob but was rebuffed, he's now decided that Jacob is bigger and can slap harder, and Jacob seems to take great delight in chasing him off and swatting him when he comes near.
Radar will come down when Jacob is in quiet mode or asleep, has his cuddles, even lies down on the sofa in his usual place near us and near the boys - but when Jacob is active and playful he takes to the heights of the top shelves and his favourite hidey holes amongst the books to avoid him.
The main problem is that mealtimes have become an issue and that's when he's most likely to hide! Jacob appears to be a little anxious when it comes to food, he is used to being free fed but I don't do that because of Sonic the little pig and the vet's raised eyebrows the last time he weighed him. At mealtimes the others both avoid Jacob, and I feed him in a separate room. But this morning Radar wouldn't come down off the bookcases even though I shut Jacob in the kitchen to eat, I had to put his bowl on a shelf
I'm not hugely worried, in that it's good that Radar has his places where he feels safe and comfortable, he still comes down to play and get attention, and it's somewhat normal in a multicat household to have submissive and dominant individuals. I'm just looking for opinions really as to whether I am treating it the right way ie. letting them get on with it as there's no fighting, and giving Radar plenty of attention when he emerges and making sure he gets enough food in an area where he's not going to be chased away from his bowl etc.
But Radar has decided that he is bottom of the pecking order, and has taken up residence on the bookcases. He made early advances of friendship towards Jacob but was rebuffed, he's now decided that Jacob is bigger and can slap harder, and Jacob seems to take great delight in chasing him off and swatting him when he comes near.
Radar will come down when Jacob is in quiet mode or asleep, has his cuddles, even lies down on the sofa in his usual place near us and near the boys - but when Jacob is active and playful he takes to the heights of the top shelves and his favourite hidey holes amongst the books to avoid him.
The main problem is that mealtimes have become an issue and that's when he's most likely to hide! Jacob appears to be a little anxious when it comes to food, he is used to being free fed but I don't do that because of Sonic the little pig and the vet's raised eyebrows the last time he weighed him. At mealtimes the others both avoid Jacob, and I feed him in a separate room. But this morning Radar wouldn't come down off the bookcases even though I shut Jacob in the kitchen to eat, I had to put his bowl on a shelf
I'm not hugely worried, in that it's good that Radar has his places where he feels safe and comfortable, he still comes down to play and get attention, and it's somewhat normal in a multicat household to have submissive and dominant individuals. I'm just looking for opinions really as to whether I am treating it the right way ie. letting them get on with it as there's no fighting, and giving Radar plenty of attention when he emerges and making sure he gets enough food in an area where he's not going to be chased away from his bowl etc.