Older and younger cat rescue troubles

Hi everyone. I am brand new to the forum and, am a first time cat owner. I adopted two cats from the local Humane Society a week ago. One is an 8 pound 10yr old spayed female. The other is a 15 pound 3 yr old Neutered Male.

Both cats were living together for three months in the same "Kitty Condo" at the humane society. My thought here was that they had already set their boundaries and lived well together. I spent an hour with them at the shelter and had no problems.

Now at my apartment. It is a one bedroom with a living room, a kitchen and the bedroom I figure about 900 sq feet.  The cats don't seem to be getting along.

The older cat, Boots really does not want the younger one around her to much and she hisses often at him. She may even roll on her back with claws out , growling if he comes to close. The younger cat, Truman just wants to play...although sometimes he does get jealous if Boots is getting to much attention from me.

They both seem to be eating fine, they both use the litter boxes equally and they do not fight over the food.

They both have also staked out their private spaces, Truman gets my bed and Boots gets the couch. Trouble does come up when Boots gets one the bed...usually, it's Truman getting excited that Boots has jumped on the bed, He thinks Boots wants to play...I think Boots wants the bed and hisses at Truman to make him move.

Anyways, I am assuming that this is a normal adjustment period and if the aggressive behavior continues for more than  month I should then start getting concerned. I don't know how they are when I am gone for the day...Nothing is messed up or knocked over, so I assume they get along. Maybe I am the variable they are trying to get used to.

I also make sure sure they get the same attention and I will often have them together for a petting session. Boots will hiss at Truman as soon as I leave them alone however.

How long should I let this behavior go until I get worried?

Hi Anne,

My humane shelter is overcapacity and most of the cats there are over 7 yrs. I wish I could of taken them all!!!.

I have two litter boxes and there is really no place for a third.

They got into a fight this morning (not clawing but alot of aggressive yowling and "Roaring" on the part of Boots.) Boots had violated Truman's personal territory by getting on the bed. I just let them hash it out, even though I wanted to jump in...Major adjustment period for me as well!!! Truman does not get on Boots couch either unless I am giving attention to them both

It does not seem that there is anger between them and alot of the friction comes when Truman wants to play...but Truman is starting to follow Boots around and making her leave an area. He even lies down in doorways to keep Boots from going into the bedroom or kitchen.

They also semm to get real worked up after I feed them as well, I mix wet food with dry.

Well, we'll see how they hash things out...It has only been a week...

I was at the shelter yesterday to get their take...They use Feliway throughout the shelter...I bought some immediately. The troubles seem to happen for a couple of hours after feeding. I mix dry and wet foodtwice a day. I also keep an eye on them and when there is a bit of hissing from Boots she gets put into her private space. It's actually kind of funny. Boots hisses at Truman and Truman immediately lays down right in front of her...as if to say "look...down be a hater...I just want to play!" Still I seperate them at that point anyways.

The food bowls are across the kitchen from each other. Anywhere else and one cat walks past the other while eating...hisses abound...I think I will put one food station in the bedroom, and leave one in the kitchen