I'm hoping it's me but - having always had cats - I doubt it very much.
Recently adopted three rescue cats after the loss of my beloved 17 year old in Jan and her brother two years previously. Two nine month old siblings and their ten month old friend from the shelter. Had forgotten how adorable but naughty and destructive younger cats are ☺
My last two had a clear hierarchy and - apart from a few skirmishes - it seemed to satisfy them both.
My newbies - I just can't work it out and am curious.
Would say girl sibling is the least dominant or she is a master manipulator. She is tiny and playful; very affectionate, constantly nuzzling, licking, nibbling and suckling; skittles the other pair at least eight times a day which they allow making me think they see her as no threat. She is first to investigate which would suggest dominance but I wonder if the other two send her out as a sacrificial kit/distraction.
Boy sibling seems most dominant. He is medium sized and is always first to eat. He is also the only one that has a set place when food is put out whereas other two happily switch. He is most skittish though when new people come into house.
Third puss is biggest by significant amount. He came from abusive home so was slower to settle and still not keen on being picked up. Lady at shelter convinced me to take all three by pointing out how much boy sibling and friend loved each other and she seems to have been right. They play fight a lot but never any claws or yowling and fights frequently turn into love-ins.
The three sleep together in whatever combination appeals; they all bury their waste (which previous dominant cats have def not done!); they swap favourite places and all 'steal' wherever other has been; they groom each other, swap toys etc
So - feline experts - do I have a dominant cat? If not, will one take charge as they mature or will they happily continue with their communal cooperative life style? OR ... Am I top cat?
I'd really like to think I was in charge although I suspect one or all three are manipulating me!
Sorry, that's very long esp for something that is just idle musing and totally unimportant really.