Hey guys. As I've been going through a lengthy reintroduction process with my cats, I feel I have noticed a real pattern.
I only let them both out together when I am around to supervise. I have noticed that, as long as they're both calm, neither has a problem with the other. They pass each other in the hallway (a little warily, but nothing crazy), they can go about their business as usual ... sometimes, one or the other gets the zoomies and will just take off running up and down the whole house. This doesn't always instigate anything, but Journey may go full hunter mode. The thing is, it doesn't look like "attack mode" as much as it looks like she wants to play. The problem is, Belle really doesn't appreciate the type of chase/pounce play that Journey seems to want to instigate. It has happened a couple times where Journey and/or Belle will get the zoomies. They'll both run around like crazy (not chasing each other ... just both jumping and running) and if they get too close, Belle gets scared and might arch her back/hiss. This has only ever happened twice and both times, Journey backed off right away. It was very obvious Belle was saying that's enough, I'm done playing now.
That being said, sometimes Journey thinks it's really fun to stalk Belle. Belle will be just minding her own business and I will watch Journey as she goes full slink mode. She'll go hide behind something and tamp her feet and wiggle her butt like she is getting ready to pounce ... I always intervene before Journey gets a chance to do anything but I'm realizing that most of Journey's behaviour seems more like poor socialization and inability to play appropriately (even though she grew up surrounded by other cats). If that's the case, my focus should be more on draining Journey's energy and satisfying her prey drive more than anything else. I have toys and I play with her as much as I can, but I feel like I need more for her. I need her to feel like she doesn't need to "hunt" any more because Belle doesn't think hide and pounce is a fun game. I've heard of people having fake aquariums or leaving fish videos on the tv for their cats to "hunt" on their own.
I have "da' bird" and I have lots of bouncy balls and stuffed mice and balls etc ... but what else do you recommend for draining the energy of an animal with a high prey drive and who tries to instigate "inappropriate" play? I really feel that keeping Journey's hunting desires satisfied will go a long way towards keeping peace in the house in the long run. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I only let them both out together when I am around to supervise. I have noticed that, as long as they're both calm, neither has a problem with the other. They pass each other in the hallway (a little warily, but nothing crazy), they can go about their business as usual ... sometimes, one or the other gets the zoomies and will just take off running up and down the whole house. This doesn't always instigate anything, but Journey may go full hunter mode. The thing is, it doesn't look like "attack mode" as much as it looks like she wants to play. The problem is, Belle really doesn't appreciate the type of chase/pounce play that Journey seems to want to instigate. It has happened a couple times where Journey and/or Belle will get the zoomies. They'll both run around like crazy (not chasing each other ... just both jumping and running) and if they get too close, Belle gets scared and might arch her back/hiss. This has only ever happened twice and both times, Journey backed off right away. It was very obvious Belle was saying that's enough, I'm done playing now.
That being said, sometimes Journey thinks it's really fun to stalk Belle. Belle will be just minding her own business and I will watch Journey as she goes full slink mode. She'll go hide behind something and tamp her feet and wiggle her butt like she is getting ready to pounce ... I always intervene before Journey gets a chance to do anything but I'm realizing that most of Journey's behaviour seems more like poor socialization and inability to play appropriately (even though she grew up surrounded by other cats). If that's the case, my focus should be more on draining Journey's energy and satisfying her prey drive more than anything else. I have toys and I play with her as much as I can, but I feel like I need more for her. I need her to feel like she doesn't need to "hunt" any more because Belle doesn't think hide and pounce is a fun game. I've heard of people having fake aquariums or leaving fish videos on the tv for their cats to "hunt" on their own.
I have "da' bird" and I have lots of bouncy balls and stuffed mice and balls etc ... but what else do you recommend for draining the energy of an animal with a high prey drive and who tries to instigate "inappropriate" play? I really feel that keeping Journey's hunting desires satisfied will go a long way towards keeping peace in the house in the long run. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!