Sphynx resource-guarding toys from new kitten

Resource-guarding from a new kitten is really common in established cats — your Sphynx has decided those toys are his, and sharing isn't on the agenda. The good news is that dedicated, separate toy sets for each cat almost always dissolves the tension, because there's nothing left to guard. Before I point you toward a specific setup, can I ask: is the guarding mostly around wand toys and interactive stuff you're holding, or is he also standing over toy mice and crinkle balls he's not even playing with? And is the kitten getting any solo play time at all right now?

That's a really clear picture, and honestly it's the most manageable version of this problem. He's not broadly territorial — he just wants your undivided attention during interactive play, which is very Sphynx. The kitten watching from a distance means she hasn't been properly introduced to interactive play yet either, so you've got two cats who both need their own dedicated sessions. How much time do you realistically have for play each day, and do you have a second person in the house who could run a parallel session, or is it just you?

Two separate wands is exactly right — and I'd go one step further and keep them visually distinct so even you know which belongs to whom, which helps reinforce the routine. For your Sphynx specifically, I'd recommend the Da Bird Original Feather Wand. It's the one toy I've seen work reliably with high-drive cats like Sphynxes — the feathers spin and the movement genuinely mimics a bird in flight, so it holds their attention fully rather than them getting bored after two minutes. It also means your Sphynx gets something genuinely satisfying in his dedicated session, which actually reduces the guarding instinct because he's not anxious about missing out. For the kitten, get a second, visually different wand — something like a ribbon or crinkle foil teaser — so the two are clearly separate from day one. Play with your Sphynx first, put his wand away completely, then bring out the kitten's. The sequencing matters as much as the toys.

Most cats do settle once the kitten stops being a chaotic unpredictable presence — usually somewhere around the kitten reaching 12 to 18 months and calming down a bit. Sphynxes can be surprisingly sociable once they stop feeling threatened, so there's a decent chance they'll end up playing near each other eventually. But I'd honestly keep the separate wand sessions as a permanent habit regardless — it only costs you ten minutes each and it means both cats get proper focused play rather than one dominating. The Da Bird for him, something different for her, and sequential sessions in the evening. That's the whole fix.

Great plan. When the Da Bird arrives, let your Sphynx have the first session with it before the kitten has even sniffed it — establishing it as his from the start will help. Good luck with them both; it sounds like they're going to be fine once the routine is in place.