Help needed with male cat introductions

shadowsrescue

TCS Member
Thread starter
Veteran
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
7,022
Purraise
5,083
Location
Ohio
Here I thought all was going well with Marvin and Jake, but now there is definite tension. 

Marvin has been inside in his safe room since late May.  For the first few weeks we allowed no contact at all.  Jake couldn't even get to the door.  We moved to scent swapping and all went well.  Next we moved to sight swapping with a screen door and gate and then moved to nose to nose sniffing through the screen door.  We did feedings at the screen door too.  There was no growling, hissing , posturing...nothing, but sniffing and each laying on one side of the screen.  In mid July we started allowing Marvin to come out of his room for short periods with Jake put away.  We then allowed Marvin to come out while putting Jake on a harness.  They would sniff and then ignore each other.  We offered yummy treats or chicken.  We did this for almost a week and then decided to take Jake off the harness.  Once again no issues.  Marvin would be out of his room for 3-4 hours, then increasing to 6-8, but always going in his room at night.  Last Saturday we allowed Marvin to be out of his room at night.  We put Jake away.  Marvin mostly stayed outside of my bedroom door all night.  The next day, Marvin stayed out, but the tension started.  We heard hissing, growling, yowling and saw posturing.  It happens when they pass by each other.  Jake also may be lounging in a sunny spot on the floor and Marvin sneaks up on him.  Not in an aggressive way, just passing by or coming over for a sniff.  This scares Jake, which scares Marvin which starts posturing and growling.  Yesterday we kept a close eye on the boys and even put Jake away for awhile.  Yet once or twice when I thought Marvin was sleeping, out of no where the hissing, yowling, fisting started.  We put Marvin away and he stayed in his room the rest of the evening and all night.  Now today when Marvin came out, we decided to not let them out of sight.  Of course this gets difficult.  All at once, there was this very strange sound and the two were posturing and growling again.  We brought out some chicken and had some positive interaction time and then played with each of the boys at the same time.  They did just fine.  As soon as play time was over, Jake got up to leave and walked very cautiously by Marvin into another room.  All at once, Marvin took off after him.  Nothing happened, but there is this constant need to know where the other cat is and then go after him.  There has not been an all out fight, but way too much growling, yowling and posturing.  From what I have read this can happen with a new cat in the house and can last for awhile.  I am unsure how much to control the situation.  Do I try to stop it or let it happen and break it up?  Should Marvin go back to his room more and not be allowed so much freedom?  I had so hopped this would go smoothly. 

Marvin was the one with the awful territorial issues when he lived outside.  He could not get along with Shadow.  Yet, Shadow is a baby, nonfighter and basic wimp!  Jake my inside boy, is not a wimp at all. He stands up for himself and knows this has been his house and his house alone (except for the dog!) for 5 years.  Maybe this is all to be expected.  I just do not want Marvin to be doing what he did outside.  Any tips, tricks, advice? 

Thanks for any help.
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,997
Purraise
10,645
Location
Sweden
As you did such a scientifically approach, with scent swapping etc, and it went excellent.

I wonder if they "just"  are trying each other out, their positions on the ladder.  Hopefully not going worse.

This being exactly because they had no occasion to this natural showing of themselves earlier.

I mean, even my own residents, although good friends, are sometimes blowing up against each other.

And it is not always the older one, the revire holder, who starts it up.

Just thinking aloud.

Are they friendly with each other at any other occasion?  Playing or chasing, or sleeping near?

Good luck!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

shadowsrescue

TCS Member
Thread starter
Veteran
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
7,022
Purraise
5,083
Location
Ohio
As you did such a scientifically approach, with scent swapping etc, and it went excellent.

I wonder if they "just"  are trying each other out, their positions on the ladder.  Hopefully not going worse.

This being exactly because they had no occasion to this natural showing of themselves earlier.

I mean, even my own residents, although good friends, are sometimes blowing up against each other.

And it is not always the older one, the revire holder, who starts it up.

Just thinking aloud.

Are they friendly with each other at any other occasion?  Playing or chasing, or sleeping near?

Good luck!
I do believe they may be trying out their positions.  It's not getting any worse, but it is happening more frequently.  They have appeared friendly and will lounge near each other, but not exactly close.  They have not played or chased each other.  Mostly they ignore each other.  My resident cat, Jake wants to know where Marvin is at all times.  Wherever Marvin goes he follows.  I am sure he is not liking having his territory invaded. 

Now I worry whenever they are near each other. 

Of course I also have the dog for Marvin to get used to!!  Yet, she may be to my advantage since Marvin is so scared of her and would never go after Jake in her presence. 

I just wonder if it is better to let me hiss/growl, etc... or stop it before it happens.
 

susank521

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
857
Purraise
103
Location
North Georgia, USA
You certainly did all of the right things, as far as introduction goes. This process is so stressful and I sure do feel for you. I really think that it's more stressful for the humans and the other animals than it is for the 2 cats involved. How old is Marvin? I'm assuming both boys are neutered? How long ago? Usually, the longer ago it's been, the easier it is. But I have 2 outdoor males  that have been been neutered and coexisting here for over 2 years and they still puff up, posture and vocalize at each other almost daily. It really seems like they take turns backing down from each other. Sometimes I interfere, but I'm at work during the day. Thankfully, no one has ever been injured and it all seems to be bluff. All of the outside cats get kenneled at night and these 2 go into separate kennels just to be on the safe side.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

shadowsrescue

TCS Member
Thread starter
Veteran
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
7,022
Purraise
5,083
Location
Ohio
You certainly did all of the right things, as far as introduction goes. This process is so stressful and I sure do feel for you. I really think that it's more stressful for the humans and the other animals than it is for the 2 cats involved. How old is Marvin? I'm assuming both boys are neutered? How long ago? Usually, the longer ago it's been, the easier it is. But I have 2 outdoor males  that have been been neutered and coexisting here for over 2 years and they still puff up, posture and vocalize at each other almost daily. It really seems like they take turns backing down from each other. Sometimes I interfere, but I'm at work during the day. Thankfully, no one has ever been injured and it all seems to be bluff. All of the outside cats get kenneled at night and these 2 go into separate kennels just to be on the safe side.
Marvin is around 3 was neutered in March.  I found him as a stray/feral.  Jake came from the Humane Society and was neutered around 10 weeks.  Marvin did calm down a bit after his neutering, but he still has a very dominant side to him as does Jake. 

Since Wednesday the boys have been supervised when they are together.  We started giving them some cooked chicken when they are together as well as playing feather wand with them.  I have 2 wands and my son helps out.  All is well when there is chicken and play time.  Then when one wants to walk by the other, there seems to be hesitation on both sides.  Jake likes to get up high and peer down on Marvin.  Marvin will hardly jump onto anything.  I definitely have a bush dweller and a tree dweller!  It seems better, but supervision is still necessary.  Earlier today, Jake was upstairs and Marvin got spooked.  He ran upstairs and smack into Jake at the top of the stairs.  Both were giving the massive stare/glare.  I clapped my hands and both ran off. 

The vet told me it could take 6 weeks or longer for them to fully adjust.  Fortunately I work from home, but getting any work done supervising these boys is hard.  I often take turns putting one of them away.  Of course then I have the dog too!!  I know it will all calm down soon.  It just takes dedication and work. 
 

susank521

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jul 25, 2013
Messages
857
Purraise
103
Location
North Georgia, USA
It sure sounds like you are on the right path and for now the supervised visits are best. Seems it's a little early on to let them work it out by themselves. Marvin should settle down, at least a little bit more, as time progresses. Thankfully, one likes up and the other likes down, so they aren't always trying to be in the same place at the same time. 
 

ondine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
5,312
Purraise
780
Location
Burlington, North Carolina
Honestly, sometimes it seems worse than having a houseful of teenagers, doesn't it? 


It does sound like you're doing everything right.  Hang in there!
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

shadowsrescue

TCS Member
Thread starter
Veteran
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
7,022
Purraise
5,083
Location
Ohio
Honestly, sometimes it seems worse than having a houseful of teenagers, doesn't it? 


It does sound like you're doing everything right.  Hang in there!
Teenagers might be easier at this point! 

For most of the time, the boys tend to ignore each other.  Trouble brews when one of them is on the move.  Jake needs to know at all times where Marvin is.  He's like a child with a new sibling.  He doesn't want Marvin into his "stuff"! 

Today is a hard time.  DH is away, DS is back in school and I am home with these 3.  I have all 3 out right now.  It was peaceful momentarily with all of them in one room with me.  Then Marvin ambushed Jake for the heck of it and there was peace no more. 

Marvin is hating being put back in his room.  He hates to be picked up and he has scratched DH and DS when they have taken him to his room for the night.  He is fine once inside, but is now trying to escape every time someone goes into the room.  I am having to use a chair pad to push him back.  He stays in the room all night and until after feeding time in the morning.  The boys are no where near ready to be out alone all night. 
 
Top