New addition not getting along with my cats. How long till she gets adjusted?

mces97

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So I took in a stray. Been caring for her outside for 3 months. She is very sweet and loving. I am actually rather surprised how well she made the transition to becoming an indoor only cat. Purs all the time, rolls on her back for me to pet her belly. The only problem is I have two 9 year old cats. They both have been curious, and my female cat has stayed her distance, but will occationally hiss at her. My bigger concern though is the new cat swats and trys to hit my cats sometimes. She had her spay surgery on thursday, and today she was much more active so I think with her feeling better, she is getting back to her old ways, maybe acting out her instinct and defending herself from other cats. Today when she saw my male cat come walk over to me she ran towards him and went to swat at him in a much more aggressive way then I had seen before. For those who have introduced new cats did the cats eventually get along? I don't mind if they won't ever be buddy buddy, but I don't want her to always hit and attack them, as my two cats never ever fight. I did read on other websites that hissing and swatting initially is normal. As long as she doesn't take out her claws or bite I'm not super worried either. Thanks
 

StefanZ

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As long as she doesn't take out her claws or bite I'm not super worried either. Thanks
so she swats with soft paw?  Very good sign. They teach lessons to their friends and family members with soft paws. Claws out is more serious for unfriendlies..

Still, Im a little baffled.  Adopted homeless "usually" try to please themselves in, are submissive to the residents. Not everyone of course, but as a rule of thumb more often than say, home raised, bought cats.

If I shall have to guess the why, may be because she is (was into very recently) fertile, and thus feels herself standing higher in hierarchy then the neuters.

You are no unknown person to her, it makes her dare a little more. Although her friendliness to you may be partly this pleasing herself - strategy, menioned before.

Another gues my be she is jealous of you...

Good luck!
 

feralvr

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Well, I think it is good news that you were able to just introduce her right away ! Actually, surprised that there are not more scuffs going on. So that is the great news. You could always put her in a confined room though if things get to stessful for the 9 yrs. olds. It is always best to do introductions very, very slowly so that lifelong, trusting relationships can be made and built on from the start. She also still has some hormones in her system and will might have that "protective" nature about her for a bit of time until she can fully trust the two other cats. Again, if you think it is too much too soon, then confine the new kitty to her own safe room for a week or two and start over with intros. ;) :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:

Here is a TCS article written by a very experienced longtime member ! Hopefully this will help :cross: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats
 
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mces97

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Thanks for the advise guys. She and my female cat were about 3 feet from each other, one in the kitchen and one in the hallway and the new cat made a meow, like a sweet maybe trying to say I am a friend meow towards my female cat. It has only been 4 days so still not a lot of time. I am sure with each passing day as they see each other more they will trust each other. I do believe also that her hormones are playing a role, as she was just spayed, and was very early pregnant as well. I do believe the swats are opened pawed, and not claws out. She had her nails trimmed, so even if she did take them out, they would not hurt for at least a week or so. She has to get some stitches out next Monday, so I will see if they grew back enough to be trimmed again. 
 

feralvr

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I agree in that as each day passes, the cats will all learn to co-habitat together. Let's hope it goes smoothly. It was a fast intro. :lol3: Usually, when the cats swat and swipe at each other like that, the claws are not used. It is more a fear reaction then an aggressive reaction. I think all will be well with all of your kitties. :cross: :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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