Thank you all for the advice and reassurance.

I definitely thought introducing a male would be easier. Oscar has taken it in his stride, and appears completely bemused when Olive hisses at him. He hasnt quite worked out that it's on Olive's terms, and her tail is NOT a toy!

x

I'd say give it time too. It took a good few months for our new kittens to be accepted by our existing tom and we've since introduced a puppy to the mix. They will adapt. But only the cats can decide what kind of relationship they will have when the dust settles. They may happily settle down for a cuddle from time to time and then have a good hiss afterwards just for good measure. My girl cats have always had too much to say for themselves As long as they're not going tooth for nail you're doing well.

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Mummy to 1 puppy, 3 cats, 3 chickens, 2 guinea pigs and 2 small children

Sorry I forgot to say. feeding them together always works well. A cat that eats in front of another isn't that bothered. Get a favourite treat, like tuna, and give them the treat from your hands, both together taking turns. It works miracles.

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Mummy to 1 puppy, 3 cats, 3 chickens, 2 guinea pigs and 2 small children

Thanks for the advice.
We have been feeding them together and this seems to be working well. Olive tends to go out in the morning but popped back in for a snooze since it was raining. Oscar got himself comfy on the chair with her for an hour. She gave him a real good clean. Then when she had had enough hissed at him and went back out again! It does seem to be getting better slowly - and i dont feel any where near as stressed about it!

xx

leave em to it, but be warned, olive may never like oscar, it's certainly what's happened with our 2 girls bubs has never fully taken to neeps, neeps thinks bubs is fun to play with tho.
bubs tolerates neeps at times but generally doesn't like her too close and regularly smacks neeps in the chops for no reason.

it will get better and if your lucky they might actually like each other eventually but don't expect this.

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This is not a game of 'who the fek are you'.

Not a single gram of fek shall be given today.

Would just like to say thank you for all your advice and a little update.

Olive and Oscar are getting on amazingly!

In the past week they have been making so much progress. We basically let them get on with it and Olive has virtually stopped hissing. We have also made sure that they eat together at every meal. She has only hissed when he has pushed it a bit too much.

They are having cuddles, play fights and groom each other, and Olive has even tolerated Oscar trying to nick her food. I'm so happy they are getting on, it's been a huge relief.

xxx

so pleased for you - it's lovely when it works out

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