Hi,
I recently brought home two 11 to 12 week old Bengal kittens from different breeders. I brought Freya home last Saturday(a week ago) and Thor this past Tuesday. The first few days alone with Freya she was super cuddly, affectionate and purred like crazy. After a couple days of keeping them separate to help Thor adjust to his new home I decided to introduce them because they were both doing great and it was a pain going back and fourth between the two(one would cry if I was in the other room and vice versa). After a few sniffs(no hisses) they immediately started playing and got along great. These first few days together they consistently play, eat together and even sleep together. Which I'm SO happy about. But Freya's behavior towards me has changed a bit. She lets me play with her as usual but doesn't purr hardly at all when I pet or hold her and isn't nearly as affectionate. It totally makes sense that now that she has a play mate she doesn't need or want as much attention from me but the lack of purring and affection concerns me. Like I said she seems to be getting along with Thor great, still eats normal and bowel movements are the same, she's just not as affectionate towards me.
Any idea why this may be? Could it just be she is more content and not needing attention? Could she be a bit stressed or angry towards me even though they seem to get along great?
I'd appreciate any help:)
Bailey

Hi Bailey. Welcome to our forum! Congratulations on your two babies! A couple of things can be happening here. First your breeder did not socialize Freya with a lot of human interaction and the kitty's interaction was with her siblings and mom. And she prefers the company of another kitty to a human.

Secondly, it is very common for a bengal to bond more closely with another bengal than a human. One bengal will bond with a human. Two bengals tend to bond with each other -- and it sounds as if Freya was super happy to have another kitty to play with.

I don't believe there is anything physically wrong with Freya. You've just added a wonderful sibling for her to the family mix. These two are still VERY young -- and they will change over time, so Freya may come back to you at some point -- once the newness wears off. In the meantime, don't take it personally! I have two kitties myself (only one is a bengal). I can't ever hear him purr unless I put my head right on him. The other one, I can hear him purr from across the room.

Hi Shery,

Thanks for your response!

Freya seemed to be socialized very well and was extremely friendly, cuddly and affection those first few days that's why it was so surprising. But I think it makes total sense that she's just bonded with Thor well and has been super happy to have a friend making her less dependent on me for attention and comfort.

I did get a few loud purrs this morning when I gave them both some pets while they were snuggled up in their cat tree bed :)).

Overall they both seem very happy and healthy and that is what matters most:) attaching photos below!

Bailey

I don't see any photos, Bailey, but I am happy to hear things are going well with Thor and Freya. You will have many, many years with them so the whole "introduction" phase can be a little iffy! Freya is super happy to have a feline playmate. So, just sit back and enjoy the adventures.

Yeah sorry about that I couldn't figure out how to attach pictures using my phone. See below, I think I got it this time =) The one looking directly at the camera is Freya(also has the silver collar), the other one is Thor.

Aww, what sweet, beautiful kitties!