stray cats

[splange]

We have just taken in two stray cats, one first, (the news doing the feline rounds that we were obviously a soft touch) and then the other a few days later. However, they are always sizing each other up for a scrap and then at other times seem tolerant of each other. When is the fighting going to stop?

[wolf63]

Maybe soon, maybe never.

I have learned to accept that 'cats will be cats'. If either of them was really unhappy it would leave home.

My cat was previously a stray, I got him via Cats Protection. He is really timid most of the time, but turns into the furrball from hell when it suits him.

Good luck with your new family.

[mr.bungle]

They're sorting out who's the dominant cat out of the two.I have two cats who are brothers and are 6 years old and they still do it now.My advice would be to let them get on with it although it might look brutal sometimes as long as they're not tearing peices out of each other.

[WendyS]

I suspect if they've been strays, they're probably used to having to fight for the food and the very existence, which will mean having to ward off any others who seem a threat. My guess is that once they've all got used to their new home and a settled routine in which they feel secure, they will probably settle down to some kind of hierarchy. The odd fight may break out if one of them feels the other is encroaching on its rights but hopefully gradually they'll get used to each other and realise that they have can share the same territory without the other being a threat.

[Ava77]

I may be worth helping them to get used to one another's scent. When stroking one of them, wipe a slightly damp cloth along their scent glands (cheeks etc.), then stroke the other cat with this - then vice-versa.

This will help to mix-up their scents, and eventually feel calmer and slightly less territorial at home. Should help to deter territorial spraying also!

You might also want to try one of those pheremone plug-ins. Although they seem to work better for some cats than others.