Will neutered strays ever get along?

somanycats

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We have a real problem with stray cats that find their way to our rural home.  We have three house cats, two of which came to us half-grown; we spayed the female and neutered the male and they get along fairly well with the other spayed female in the house.  But a couple of years ago a feral female and stray male (her young adult son?) showed up.  We had the female spayed and the male neutered and fixed up outdoor accommodations for them as best we could.  We can touch the female; the male is very friendly.  But a few months ago another adult male arrived.  He and the neutered male fought, with the neuter suffering severe bites.  We've had the latest arrival neutered, and he's a bit mellower after 10 days.  But the original boy is terrified of him, and we fear they will continue to fight.  We've kept them separate, but with mild weather arriving it is increasingly difficult.

Is there any hope that these two boys will ever tolerate each other?  We just cannot accommodate any more house cats, and our county shelter is always full.  There are way too many cats for the number of homes available; we hate to euthanize healthy young cats, but what alternative is there!?
 

ondine

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Neutering him will certainly cut down on the fights.  Is there a way you can perhaps build an enclosure for the newest arrival?  It will keep him separated from the others.

I have two cats in my enclosure, Schofield and Alfred, neutered males who sort of get along.  I should have named them Oscar and Felix as that's the kind of relationship they have.  Interestingly, since they've arrived, the strays have stopped coming.  And I used to have at least one stray here every six weeks or so.

If no enclosure is possible, can you set the newbie up on the opposite side of the house?  Give mom and Junior the back yard and the newbie the front yard?

Thank you for helping them.  Fingers crossed the newbie settles in soon.
 

shadowsrescue

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I have 3 neutered ferals living on my property.  Two are very bonded and the third is just trying to figure everything out.  The third one when he first showed up was all about spraying and chasing the other 2.  Since he was neutered he has greatly calmed. 

I also had a situation a few years back where I had one feral living on my deck and another non neutered male came along.  I neutered him.  The attacks on the other cat stopped, but the chasing did not.  He wanted my other feral gone.  I had to temporarily move one of the ferals to the front porch.  It was a night mare.  They lived like this for about 6 weeks.  Then I could not take it any longer.  My poor meek feral was so scared.  This was his home.  I was able to get the other feral into a carrier.  It took hours and hours.  I then decided to bring him into the house.  He had been on my property for almost 6 months and had truly warmed up to me.  It took him a year to adjust to inside living and adjust to my indoor only male. 

I think it not only depends on neutering, but also personality.  How strong is the cats drive for territory?  For some it is a big deal.  Others are fine just sharing. 

I feel for you as it is a difficult situation. 
 
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