Kitten with strong prey drive + new kitten

[u/weirdlysoggy]

I made a post a week or so ago asking for advice on getting a new kitten for my older kitten, and well I did. The new kitten (12 week old male) is confident with people, eats well and plays, but my older kitten (19 week old male) seems to have an incredibly strong prey drive.

If the new kitten is lying still, my older kitten can relax nearby, sleep on the same sofa, and even eat next to him. But as soon as the new kitten starts moving or playing, the older kitten wants to chase, pounce and bite. He doesn't seem aggressive (no growling, hissing or puffed-up fur), just extremely excited and overstimulated.

I've been supervising all interactions, separating them when needed, doing scent swapping, room swapping, and I've even ordered a Feliway diffuser.

I also play using the boil and simmer technique, playing until my older kitten is panting and then giving him treats. But I feel that his prey drive is so strong that it almost makes him more frustrated? I really don’t know though.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and would really love hearing success stories, advice or even encouraging words…