incredibly stupid

[mandimoo]

briefly... ive just moved in with boyfriend and introduced two adult cats. stupidly we managed to convince oursself they would be ok, but obviously they were not. theyve had serious fisticuffs, with the new cat somewhat in shock for a couple of hours afterwards. i have now done what i should have in the first place and researched it on the net. the cats are being kept apart now and will be re-introduced very slowly and carefully according to the advice ive downloaded. i just want to know if the initial spat will be got over, or is the new cat now forever destined to be chased, attached, howled and spat at. im so scared that as soon as he is able hes just gonna think 'sod this, im off' im sorely tempted to move back out again.

[Roughquest]

Unfortunately, with cats, and indeed most animals, when introduced to each other they have to be left alone to sort out the 'pecking order'. With cats, yes there will be lots of 'hissy-fits' fighting and growling but this is all part of the 'getting to know each other' process, you have got to be patient and let them get on with it, peace and harmony will reign once more Im sure. You will need patience too to put up with the fighting, but try not to interfere, it will be ok.

[ruthann58]

Hang on in there. We have had over 20 cats over the years and we always get the initial uproar . When the new one comes out make sure hes got plenty of places to hide where he can feel safe so that he can get out of the others way, We had one that lived behind the sofa for weeks only coming out to eat and use the tray. Dont let him outside until hes settled in. 2 of ours still have to have a hissing fit every time they meet and they have been together for over 7 years( females of course), the males all seem quite tolerant of each other and only disagree now and then ,we have got 8 at the moment. good luck .Ruth

[andy-hughes]

Have to agree with the previous responses.

Cats are pack animals, and a pecking order has to be established. In the wild, if it got too much for one cat, it would move away and set up elsewhere, but domestic cats can, and will, settle down together.

They may simply establish that one cat is head of the pack, and the rest will fall into line. The top cat will usually feed first, and have its favourite places, which will be left by the others. It may be that one or more will not give way, and there could be occasional spats and avoidance, but this is cats - it's their way, so don;t worry too much.

You should only be concerned if one cat is getting bullied and is coming off worse in fights, or is prevented from feeding - but this is pretty rare.

Cats are independent creatures - they find a way to rub along together - bit like us!

[wolf63]

I have a boy and girl, brother and sister. He is outgoing and pesters his sister to the point of bullying. He wants to play and she wants to sit and look pretty. Every now and then she wallops him, he ends up at the vet for some nasty cut or other and peace reigns again.

Even when cats are playing they sound like they are beating hell out of each other.

Weird bleeding animals.

[davkel]

hang in, they will come to tolerate each other soon.had same probs myself but they ok now.they not overly overjoyed to see each other but they cope.

[mandimoo]

thank you all so much for your answers. i cant believe how guilty i felt, i felt like id betrayed him by putting him in that situation. i understand now that it takes several weeks for them to become adjusted, and knowing that you all have experienced similar without ongoing unhappiness on the cats has eased my mind no end xx

[bednobs]

ha! have you ever tried to introduce a dog into and independent cat's home?
Just to put your mind at ease things really do get better!