Hello all,

I REALLY could do with some advice please...

It's been two weeks since we collected our little monster oscar.We've had quite a bit of trouble with him - he's got flu (but thats a whole new thread). As some may already know, we already have a cat, Olive.

We having been trying to introduce the two of them for the past couple of weeks gradually. Oscar doesnt seem in the slightest bit bothered by Olive. However Olive has been hissing and growling eveytime they meet. Today she tried to have a right good swipe at him.

We have bought a feliway diffuser. That doesnt seem to have had much change on Olive's behaviour. I'd really like to know if there is anything else i can do to help them get used to each other? Should i let her give him a swipe to assert her dominance?

Your thoughts would be really appreciated

xxx

i just bring in my cats and let them get on with it, have to say the longer you keep them apart the longer the hissing and spitting will go on every time they do meet.

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We brought Lily home 15 days ago. Millie our 9 month old moggie was fine and curious and wanted to play but Lily hissed and growled etc. Things have improved in so much they will sit on separate chairs in the conservatory and sit on the window sill together but the swiping started about a week ago and they are still doing it. To be honest it is really getting me down but am assured it will get better. They did have a moment the other day when they virtually kissed and shared a leg of lamb and have really seen a huge imporvement so I guess its a case of give it timedawn 072.jpg

That's what I've done in the past, too. I remember seeing them look into a mirror that was behind the couch they were on and hissing at their own reflection .
They all ended up one big happy family. Getting them to eat together seemed to help.

Give it more time - some cats take a while (i.e. a couple of months - my parents cats took 6 months and then ended up best buddies and that was after 6 months of proper cat fight with fur flying and blood!).

Someone has to be boss and the swiping is merely a reminder of who that someone is going to be. Have you tried scent swapping? If not I'll rewrite it all down. Also let them be together - as long as there's no blood they will sort it out. Try to look at it from Olive's point of view. There is an intruder in the house and she needs to deal with him. If you keep taking him away she thinks she's scared him off but then he keeps coming back for more and so she needs to scare him off again.

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Thank you for all your replies.

It does seem to be getting better, i know its going to take time. It has suprised me that Olive is has been unaccepting. She has no problems with dogs, my mum brings the family spaniel over regularly. they are besotted with each other! And she gets on with all the cats in the neighbourhood.

Olive seems to settle down quicker and pretty much ignore him until Oscar comes too close. And i think Oscar is beginning to understand its on her terms not his.

Anyway...i'm avoiding writing reports...

Thank you again x

A little bit of a breakthrough (and school report avoidance!!!)

Olive went to sleep on her little tub chair. Oscar couldnt control himself and decided he wanted to join her. I thought there would be fur flying. Olive lifted her head had a quick groom and went back to sleep!!

I'm absolutely gob smacked!

She has had a quick swipe and hiss, but he hasnt budged. i feel like we've taken a little step forward. will upload a pic later

xxx

Well Olive seemed pretty tolerant. They slept on the same chair for well over half an hour. Then she began to groom herself. And then astonishingly began to groom Oscar. Was all going so well, until Oscar decided to roll onto his belly and stick out his paws. Olive responded by having a good old hiss!

it was bliss while it lasted!

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Still! It's a start! And a good one!

My "girls" are sisters from the same litter (rescue kittens (they'll be 10 yrs. old in Aug) left at a local shelter in a cage with their mom) and STILL to this day they don't get along. I brought Ghost home one day sooner than Angel and Ghost thinks she's alpha cat. I don't have the heart to remind her she had a less-than-24 hour-start over her sister. Within seconds of grooming each other they fight.

Like the others say, it will take time for Olive to accept newcomer Oscar fully. Though it is much easier to introduce a male to a female, rather than female to female. FACT!!!! So hope that helps. Olive will eventually mother him, and groom him. I have four cats, all aquired at different times and ALL took time to adjust to each other. Though male cats are far more laid back and accepting than the females. Don't wory, they will eventually become firm friends, though there ALWAYS be the odd fight and hiss/fallout, just like us humans! We fall out from time to time and so do cats, but the love for each other will still be there.