We occasionally take in a stray, and I can tell you, it's not easy. Our vet advised us to make the "introductions" gradually, and increase the time spent together a little more as time went on. It might have helped, but it still wasn't easy. The two cats we already had wanted to trounce the newbie, and we had to keep them in separate (but of course equal) spaces for a time. These days they curl up together all in a pile (all three of them) in front of the fireplace--so eventually it gets better.
I tried the gradual introduction thing. Again, it might have helped a bit.
Mine, unfortunately, still fight regularly. Sometimes they get along and sometimes they don't.
Thanks... everything you say seems to be true. It's always worse though, I guess, when the new cats are not kittens.
I know cats ALWAYS cop an attitude. What would they be if they didn't cop an attitude!
I'm not looking forward to this. I'm going to put the newbies in the finished basement and hope that the "oldies" can tolerate them after some time.
I have no illusions about this. (this is going to be like getting used to John Kerry lecturing about my time in the Army Security Agency!!!)
I KNOW cats, and I love them........... but they can be a pain in the *ss with this kind of thing!
That helps a lot :)
I have a lot of cats at home and my experience (sorry for the spelling) has been that there is no controlling them so sit back drink a hot cup of tea or coffee witch ever one you prefer and watch the happenings
Phiebe (the newbie)