My Feral Shadow and lates stray having issues

shadowsrescue

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My feral (mostly semi feral now) Shadow has been with me now almost 3 years.  I can pet him, pick him up, he comes for visits in the house, uses a litter box when inside and just recently will sit on my lap for short bits!  He has come a long way.  Yet, he loves to be outside.  He lives on my deck and has a wonderful set up with shelter, feeding stations and plenty of places to lounge and stretch out.  He had a companion stray, Patches who comes and goes, but has been MIA for almost 6 weeks now.  In December another stray found his way to my yard.  He was starving and so very skittish.  I had minimal contact with him during the winter, but provided food/water each day.  Shadow was very scared of this new cat and would hide under the love seat most of the time.  Shadow also loves to sniff (almost dog like!).  He would sniff Patches head to toe when he would return after being gone for a few days and Patches didn't mind at all.  During the winter, he tried sniffing the new cat ( oh, his name is Orange kitty).  Orange kitty, did not like this at all.  He postured and gave Shadow warning, but Shadow continued.  A fight broke out on the deck which I had to break up.  No one was hurt, but feathers were ruffled. Shortly after this incident, I was able to trap Orange kitty and have him neutered.  I had hoped it would help.  The cats mostly ignore each other and Orange kitty would come to eat, then stay for a bit and go on his way.  He did appear a few times during the night, but just to check to see if I left out any food.  Last week I began to spend some time outside so I could start to get to know Orange kitty.  The weather was warming so it wasn't so cold to sit out.  He was curious and used to my voice, but still would run if I sat down.  By the end of the week, he was coming closer and would eat with me outside.  Then Saturday night when I took his food out, he didn't leave and came right up to me.  He rubbed against me and wanted to be pet.  I was shocked.  He could not get enough.  Shadow appeared and hid for awhile and then came out.  I was petting them both and I could tell Orange kitty gave a stare and Shadow hissed and ran.  He did come back and ended up in my lap, but hissed and ran again.  Next time, he was in my lap again, stiff as a board, but didn't hiss.  This has been the same issue since Saturday night.  Last night, Shadow didn't even want to come out from under the loveseat when Orange kitty appeared.  Eventually he came out, but hissed and then ran to his shelter.  Orange kitty has decided to spend most of his nights on the deck.  He sleeps on a chair pad on the deck and isn't leaving.  Now Shadow is restricted of his movement since Orange kitty is blocking a section of the deck. Shadow is too afraid to venture over there. Shadow left the deck for bit last night and when he came back, he went under the loveseat.  Orange kitty got up  and went over to Shadow.  I could tell it wasn't good.  Orange kitty then tried to get under the love seat to go after Shadow.  Shadow must have hissed and spat as Orange kitty retreated and all seemed ok the rest of the night.  I have surveillance cameras on my deck so I can see some of what the cats do during the night. 

Shadow has always been a scardey cat.  He is not brave and is often bullied.  He was also attacked for by another cat (who is unknown) in February.  He was a mess.  I have been treating him with some flower essences, but emotionally he is a mess.  Any suggestions on how to get these two to coexist?  Do they just need to work it out?  The deck area was Shadow's first.  I do not want Orange kitty taking over.  I just want peace and coexistence.  They are both males.  Shadow was neutered years ago and Orange kitty about 7 weeks ago.  They are both about 3-4 years old. 

I can see that I might have another issue on my hand if Patches ever returns.  I assume it is territorial issues as well as personality as well as fighting for me.  Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 

StefanZ

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I think part of this is, Shadow feels Orange is taking over, and you are allowing this.

I interpret it from these descriptions when you had them both simultaneously on your laps. Everyone happy? No, Shadow hissed...

I understand you want to show Orange he is welcome, to make sure he gets socialized and no longer a shy semiferale.  But it comes into the classical dilemma: the standard advice is to always let the resident know he is number one in your heart and on your lap.

The newbe knows he is new, so he really dont mind he is coming as number two. He is contentend by the rests from the table, so to speak.

There may be other aspects as well, but this is one of them, I think...

Do you talk a lot sweetly to them?  I know rescuers whose main tool in such fostering situations is to talk, literally talk, them over into mutual peace and understanding, including fostering.  :)

Good luck!
 
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shadowsrescue

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Thank you so much for you reply.  I only had Shadow on my lap, but Orange kitty was right next to my lap and wanting to be petted at the same time.  I believe you are correct that Shadow felt encroached upon.  I will try to pet one cat at a time and shower more attention on Shadow.  Shadow is here 24/7 and I am outside during the day with him several times.  Orange kitty seems to be here only at dusk and then throughout the night.  I will make sure to give love and attention to Shadow first then see Orange kitty.
 
 

ondine

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I wonder if maybe Orange kitty still has some testosterone. It would explain his aggressiveness and Shadow's behavior. Keep doing what you're doing but give it some time. I'll bet things calm down some more over the next few weeks. Is Patches fixed? That would be the first thing i did if and when he comes back. Once they all realize there's food and shelter for everyone, things should calm down. You might also try putting out two food bowls so they don't feel as if the other cat is threatening their noms!
 
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shadowsrescue

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I wonder if maybe Orange kitty still has some testosterone. It would explain his aggressiveness and Shadow's behavior. Keep doing what you're doing but give it some time. I'll bet things calm down some more over the next few weeks. Is Patches fixed? That would be the first thing i did if and when he comes back. Once they all realize there's food and shelter for everyone, things should calm down. You might also try putting out two food bowls so they don't feel as if the other cat is threatening their noms!
It could be that Orange kitty has testosterone still pumping through him.  His biggest aggressive factor is that he postures.  He used to yowl, but that has ceased.  I would hope that things calm down if I am able to keep working with them.  Our spring weather is nice for a few days, then back to cold and rain. 

Patches is neutered as well.  I neutered him a week after Orange kitty.  I had been trying to trap him for a year and was finally successful.  Once I released him, he has never returned:(

I have two separate feeding stations, but they are right next to each other.  Orange kitty always starts in one feeding station, but then helps himself to Shadow's leftovers.  Shadow is a very slow eater and prefers to graze throughout the day.  Orange kitty and Patches just gobble right away!  I may need to move the feeding stations farther apart, but I don't think it will stop Orange kitty from going into Shadow's feeding station.  Maybe I will just pick up Shadow's food when Orange kitty comes.

If only they could talk.....

Thanks for the suggestions!
 

di and bob

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Good luck, it sounds like you are doing everything you can! I really think it will just take time, probably a year, before everyone settles down. You are doing everything exactly right, especially with being there to mediate. I do think the hormones are still hanging on to, plus they are USED to being intact and aggressive, so that will take time too.Patches may still show up after he 'forgives you'1 LOL At least he will be happier now that he isn't 'compelled ' to fight!  Once again, thanks for caring for these babies, and good luck!
 
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