We are relatively new cat people (just over a year) and are so happy with our little cat family and how well they get along. We appreciate your blog so much. My 6 year old son overheard my husband and I discussing which cat type our 3 cats were yesterday. Since then he has been pointing out different behaviors of each cat that would point to their type. I thought you’d like to know you are influencing the next generation of cat lovers.

And some funny background to Leo having alpha traits. He was chosen (as our third cat) from a foster home. We were so thrilled that his foster mom could tell us about his personality since we thought personality was more important than ever with the third cat. We thought since Emily and Eko had only been living together for 6 weeks and still sorting out their relationship that it would be wise to choose a kitten who would not come in and try to dominate things. So we asked foster mom to keep an eye out for the least assertive, okay with letting others take the lead kitten. She chose the least assertive of two 4 month old orange tabby brothers…our Leo. Now from her description of his brother, she did choose well. But Leo turned out much more assertive than we were expecting (he’s a benevolent dictator, though.) But even though his personality was a little different than we expected he has been the perfect addition to our family. The “cat energy” in the house was brought to the perfect level with Leo. He and Eko get along great, grooming each other and having silent chasing and wresling matches. And Emily enjoys both her brothers in her own unique Emily way.

It does sound like Leo has some Alpha traits — but what he does to Emily seems mutual from what you describe. If this move is not always the same place, then it’s just his way of interacting with her.

My question…during chases and wrestles Emily does hiss and yowl. She also (I think) really enjoys having other cats in the house and likes her brothers….just fusses about the contact. She never seems scared of them after a “hissy fit” and sometimes starts things herself, so she’s not always the “victim.” Do you think she could just “like it noisy.”

The boys do tend to pin their ears back and come after her at times, but it seems harmless enough to me…like play. But I want to make sure I’m not fooling myself. I do talk to them about being nice and try to distract them when it seems like they are being really persistant.

And here’s one example where I wasn’t sure if I should intervene. Sometimes Leo will just pester Emily (nothing violent) until she moves then rest where she was. Should this be tolerated?