Hi,

Have been looking around for a post to help me out with understanding my cats behaviour..
Have seen tonnes of posts on helping introduce 2 cats but not many on what happens after this!

Otto was 8 months old when we got our new kitten Rufio (4 weeks ago) - otto acted like a typical bengal (from what i have read) since we got him, he was very shy to begin with but then really settled and turned into a real lap cat; but was always jumpy (any noise made him turn his head!). As he got older he started being very nosy - as i expected!!

We both work full time so although otto wasn't massively unhappy (i didn't think) we thought we would love to get a kitten for ourselves (i am not in denial) but also for Otto.

We brought home a 3month old charcoal bengal (so both boys) - he is called Rufio (Rufi).

Rufi was completely different to otto as a kitten - really cuddly and confident!

After 3 days we started to introduce them, after a couple of supervised visits they were allowed together (still separated at night and during the day when we were out for about another 4 days). After this week of getting to know each other they are always together (sometimes separated for feeding).

They get on really well - run around playing, Otto at first did pin him down my his neck but i read this was to show dominance, they clean each other and the little one has been seen suckling off Otto! So they definitely get on.

Since rufi has arrived however Ottos behavior has definitely changed..
he is so uninterested in us
no more lapcat
doesn't do any of his naughty behaviour (used to jump up at doors and windows)
is much quieter - only makes a peep now when he is looking for Rufi

I am sure its just that he prefers Rufi to us - which i am thankful for!! But really hoping he settles down and comes back to being a Mummys boy!!

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated!!

Thanks
Charlotte[/i][/color]

Congratulations on your kitten! They are both so beautiful. This is so easy to solve. You got Otto a playmate that he prefers! Cats prefer cats -- plain and simple! You thought he might want a buddy and he did. Now you feel left out in the cold. Don't worry. Things are still new and things will change as the kitten grows and gets older. In the meantime, engage both of the kitties in play with toys so you are interacting with them. In the beginning, you were the only friend Otto had. Now you're not! Sometimes we owners get replaced. And your new kitty has made a real difference in Otto's behavior -- some for the better, but you're feeling left out. I think if you engage the both of them in play at the same time, you'll feel more a part of the mix.

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The little monsters 3

That's so great that they bonded. That's what you want. You will work into the mix, give it time. I have two females and one just adores me, the other one aloof and jealous so I have to be careful and be sensitive to their feelings. I discovered Grace likes to be brushed and patted. Now she comes to me often for that interaction. It's her version of being affectionate so I always reward her when she comes over for a brush. The other day I tried using the brush on little Blondie. Grace FLEW across the room and pounced at my feet. Blondie gasped and disappeared. I had to chuckle, apparently Grace owns the brush and Blondie is not permitted to engage in that activity. There is very little overlap in the things they do.

Jill, separate brushes are required, you know. You have two little princesses! LOL

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The little monsters 3

I have a grooming mitt but Blondie doesn't sit still for it. I think she might for a very soft brush, like a boar bristle brush maybe. I keep looking for one at a pet store but never find one soft enough. Maybe I should just give her mine. I have half a dozen types of brushes that she has rejected. She lets me pet her or run wet fingers through her fur and she loves a sponge bath. She acts like a brush hurts her or can't understand why I would brush her.

The wire brush I have has rubber tips on the other side and that's what I use on Raiden. He has such short fur. The rubber massages him and picks up some of the loose hair. I know I have a comb for cats around here somewhere. Raiden doesn't shed except in the spring when he's losing his winter coat.