Advice on Cat Introductions - Feeling a Bit Lost

[pearl99]

pearl99 , just out of curiousity, how did you keep your spirits up during the 10 months it took to do the intro for Ziggy? How did you keep her spirits up?

I had Ziggy in a room with her cat tower at a window, beds, toys etc. from her previous owner (he died suddenly at age 37 last February, his parents are my neighbors.)
I was lucky, she's kind of a shy cat so she was happy in there. She was 13 years at the time I took her in so somewhat less active, though she is quite playful, and once she was out in the house for short periods she was more active than I thought she'd be. She loves sitting in her tower looking out the window.
I'd go in and visit and play with her. She's not a velcro cat, maybe a little the opposite so when she had her fill of me she'd go sit somewhere else and ignore me.
And she would have sensed there were other cats around so I think that kept her happy in her space too.

As for my spirits, I'm a newbie at intros and had to do some jolly-ing up! I'd adopted Gracie from the shelter I volunteer at the previous November so I had my hands full. Sometimes I thought "maybe I shouldn't have done this..." I love animals and have since my earliest memories so sometimes I get overzealous.
I kept my eye on the positive signs- no fighting, no aggression as in all out attacks with wounds, it takes time and patience, the rewards are priceless, all I need is tolerance- not best friends, all the little steps forward (like eating a meal closer and closer, less hissing and growling, sitting and watching each other then walking away at the gate, any little step. And with the age of the ones I adopted it could take a long time. Cats are complex creatures but with learning about them when you understand them better it is a big help on staying positive. What looks like "yikes!" to us can be totally normal and contain positive signs.
And the rewards are great.
You're in the best hands with the people who advise here, so much experience and willingness to help.
I would text my daughter (she has cats too) on any little step like "Waffles sat at the door of Ziggy's room (door was closed) and didn't hiss or growl!! He just sat there!!" haha so little steps are the bomb.

 

[Furmama22]

I had Ziggy in a room with her cat tower at a window, beds, toys etc. from her previous owner (he died suddenly at age 37 last February, his parents are my neighbors.)
I was lucky, she's kind of a shy cat so she was happy in there. She was 13 years at the time I took her in so somewhat less active, though she is quite playful, and once she was out in the house for short periods she was more active than I thought she'd be. She loves sitting in her tower looking out the window.
I'd go in and visit and play with her. She's not a velcro cat, maybe a little the opposite so when she had her fill of me she'd go sit somewhere else and ignore me.
And she would have sensed there were other cats around so I think that kept her happy in her space too.

As for my spirits, I'm a newbie at intros and had to do some jolly-ing up! I'd adopted Gracie from the shelter I volunteer at the previous November so I had my hands full. Sometimes I thought "maybe I shouldn't have done this..." I love animals and have since my earliest memories so sometimes I get overzealous.
I kept my eye on the positive signs- no fighting, no aggression as in all out attacks with wounds, it takes time and patience, the rewards are priceless, all I need is tolerance- not best friends, all the little steps forward (like eating a meal closer and closer, less hissing and growling, sitting and watching each other then walking away at the gate, any little step. And with the age of the ones I adopted it could take a long time. Cats are complex creatures but with learning about them when you understand them better it is a big help on staying positive. What looks like "yikes!" to us can be totally normal and contain positive signs.
And the rewards are great.
You're in the best hands with the people who advise here, so much experience and willingness to help.
I would text my daughter (she has cats too) on any little step like "Waffles sat at the door of Ziggy's room (door was closed) and didn't hiss or growl!! He just sat there!!" haha so little steps are the bomb.

I love your idea of jollying-up pearl99 . Hahah, that's what I need to do too. And, I also appreciate the idea of looking for the very small signs of progress or even just 'non-negativity' as things soften over time.

I'm finding that now that I can think of it not as "IF" they'll be able to intro successfully to "WHEN," even though the work and process and schedule is just as intensive, it feels way less pressure-filled. It's effort and it sucks at times (to have to divide up attention and time and rooms and so on) but it's just what it is. Removing the emotions from it helps.

And C calicosrspecial , you'd asked a few questions about Florence's growling! I observed carefully this morning during treat time. I think she's a bit like the feral cat you shared, in terms of the growling - as in, it's kind of an isolated action. Sometimes she growls if she and Hawthorne make eye contact; other times Hawthorne might be eating (i.e. not looking at her) and she growls while chasing a treat, or she growls while eating her food, or while grabbing a kibble from the food puzzle. It happens some times and it doesn't happen other times. She isn't puffed up or focussed on him or frightened. If she weren't growling, nothing else about her behaviour or body language would be different than usual. The growling is the only thing that manifests (plus of course, the occasional hiss if he tries for the bop or he's too close).

And I'm going to try to watch him a little more closely too, in terms of his response to the growling. As I noted, he's often apprehensive and has big dilated pupils, and is curious/a bit forward/obnoxious at the gate sometimes (I would love to see him just chill out a bit more - a bit more 'business as usual'), but when she growls, he continues to eat his treats and do his thing too. So I guess what I'm saying is, they're both very easily distracted by the treats. She might still growl while eating the treat, but she definitely still goes for it.

Happy almost new year. Hawthorne has come over to join me and is stepping on the keyboard. I've attached two photos of him. He's a big handsome boy. He's a bit of a mystery but he is a handsome fella.

 

[pearl99]

I'm glad you're thinking of "when" not "if." Patience it takes.
My cat Mooshoo growls sometimes when she's playing with her toys alone!

 

[calicosrspecial]

I love your idea of jollying-up pearl99 . Hahah, that's what I need to do too. And, I also appreciate the idea of looking for the very small signs of progress or even just 'non-negativity' as things soften over time.

I'm finding that now that I can think of it not as "IF" they'll be able to intro successfully to "WHEN," even though the work and process and schedule is just as intensive, it feels way less pressure-filled. It's effort and it sucks at times (to have to divide up attention and time and rooms and so on) but it's just what it is. Removing the emotions from it helps.

And C calicosrspecial , you'd asked a few questions about Florence's growling! I observed carefully this morning during treat time. I think she's a bit like the feral cat you shared, in terms of the growling - as in, it's kind of an isolated action. Sometimes she growls if she and Hawthorne make eye contact; other times Hawthorne might be eating (i.e. not looking at her) and she growls while chasing a treat, or she growls while eating her food, or while grabbing a kibble from the food puzzle. It happens some times and it doesn't happen other times. She isn't puffed up or focussed on him or frightened. If she weren't growling, nothing else about her behaviour or body language would be different than usual. The growling is the only thing that manifests (plus of course, the occasional hiss if he tries for the bop or he's too close).

And I'm going to try to watch him a little more closely too, in terms of his response to the growling. As I noted, he's often apprehensive and has big dilated pupils, and is curious/a bit forward/obnoxious at the gate sometimes (I would love to see him just chill out a bit more - a bit more 'business as usual'), but when she growls, he continues to eat his treats and do his thing too. So I guess what I'm saying is, they're both very easily distracted by the treats. She might still growl while eating the treat, but she definitely still goes for it.

Happy almost new year. Hawthorne has come over to join me and is stepping on the keyboard. I've attached two photos of him. He's a big handsome boy. He's a bit of a mystery but he is a handsome fella.
View attachment 364555View attachment 364557

Awwwwwwwww, he is SO GORGEOUS!!!

"I also appreciate the idea of looking for the very small signs of progress or even just 'non-negativity' as things soften over time." - Exactly correct!!

"I'm finding that now that I can think of it not as "IF" they'll be able to intro successfully to "WHEN," even though the work and process and schedule is just as intensive, it feels way less pressure-filled." - That is great.

" It's effort and it sucks at times (to have to divide up attention and time and rooms and so on) but it's just what it is. Removing the emotions from it helps. " - Yep. We all have been there. All the emotions you are feeling we all have gone through. That is why we understand. I think understanding the emotions is best. Not ignoring them or covering them up but realizing them and then understanding them. EVERYTHING you are feeling, going through, etc is what pretty much everyone else goes through. It is worth it in the end though.

"And C calicosrspecial C calicosrspecial , you'd asked a few questions about Florence's growling! I observed carefully this morning during treat time. I think she's a bit like the feral cat you shared, in terms of the growling - as in, it's kind of an isolated action." - Yes

"Sometimes she growls if she and Hawthorne make eye contact;" - Yep, that is just to say "watch it" probably - kinda like my feral and me. And the more he says and acts like "whatever" the more they get by it.

"other times Hawthorne might be eating (i.e. not looking at her) and she growls while chasing a treat, or she growls while eating her food, or while grabbing a kibble from the food puzzle." - Yep, cats will do that.

" It happens some times and it doesn't happen other times." - Yep, it is interesting.

" She isn't puffed up or focussed on him or frightened." - AND THIS is what is important. IF there were real issues other things would be happening. Some cats are just like that. And the more confident he is the more it will result in nothing.

"If she weren't growling, nothing else about her behaviour or body language would be different than usual. The growling is the only thing that manifests (plus of course, the occasional hiss if he tries for the bop or he's too close)." - That is great. And that is why I am not worried about it. Hissing is really just communication and if it is respected it doesn't escalate into something negative.

"And I'm going to try to watch him a little more closely too, in terms of his response to the growling." - Great, that will help us understand more.

" As I noted, he's often apprehensive and has big dilated pupils," - Yes, that is normal.

" and is curious/a bit forward/obnoxious at the gate sometimes (I would love to see him just chill out a bit more - a bit more 'business as usual')," - Hahahaha, well, one would be. He is doing fine. He is probably falling in love!!

"but when she growls, he continues to eat his treats and do his thing too." - THAT is GREAT. If there were real issues there is no way he would do that.

"So I guess what I'm saying is, they're both very easily distracted by the treats. " - Great. So they chose something good over confrontation which is EXACTLY what we want to see. And another reason why I am so confident they will be intro'd successfully.

"She might still growl while eating the treat, but she definitely still goes for it." - Yep, some will do that and he isn;t taking it from her etc. So it ends in a positive.

"Happy almost new year. " - Happy almost new year!!! Let's hope 2021 is better for all!!!

"Hawthorne has come over to join me and is stepping on the keyboard. " - Awwwww, he wants to help. They do sure like to!!

"I've attached two photos of him. He's a big handsome boy. He's a bit of a mystery but he is a handsome fella." - He is GORGEOUS!!

 

[Furmama22]

Now that I have two pet gates and they can't physically interact, I've gotten a little bit lax about letting them see each other a bit even outside of treat times, like say when I'm going into her room and she goes to the gate before I'm able to close the door. Hawthorne always comes to the gate when he hears it opening. He wants to see what's up.

This afternoon, I went in to visit Florence and they saw each other through the gates and she hissed, just once. Hawthorne was crouching and staring a bit. She was easily distracted and came to eat some treats in her food puzzle. Then I closed the door. They would have been about five or six feet apart (with two pet gates in between).

Two questions from this: 1. Is the goal to get to the point where there is NO hissing and they are friendly towards each other through the gate? 2. Would this count as a 'negative' encounter? I'm wondering if I should be more careful and really ONLY let them see each other when it's a positive treat time. I don't want to be undoing the good work of those times.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I, personally, wouldn't count that single hiss as a negative encounter. More of an, "Oh, spit, it's you again," then off to something else.

 

[Furmama22]

That made me laugh.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I'm glad. It was meant to. Gots to keep your humor about it all, that even helps the cats. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed they will be!

 

[pearl99]

Two questions from this: 1. Is the goal to get to the point where there is NO hissing and they are friendly towards each other through the gate? 2. Would this count as a 'negative' encounter? I'm wondering if I should be more careful and really ONLY let them see each other when it's a positive treat time. I don't want to be undoing the good work of those times.

There will be hissing once they are together, "Don't try anything funny. I'm not at ease with you yet." Hiss happens and is normal. What happened isn't negative to me.

 

[calicosrspecial]

Now that I have two pet gates and they can't physically interact, I've gotten a little bit lax about letting them see each other a bit even outside of treat times, like say when I'm going into her room and she goes to the gate before I'm able to close the door. Hawthorne always comes to the gate when he hears it opening. He wants to see what's up.

This afternoon, I went in to visit Florence and they saw each other through the gates and she hissed, just once. Hawthorne was crouching and staring a bit. She was easily distracted and came to eat some treats in her food puzzle. Then I closed the door. They would have been about five or six feet apart (with two pet gates in between).

Two questions from this: 1. Is the goal to get to the point where there is NO hissing and they are friendly towards each other through the gate? 2. Would this count as a 'negative' encounter? I'm wondering if I should be more careful and really ONLY let them see each other when it's a positive treat time. I don't want to be undoing the good work of those times.

I am with MamanyT and Pearl. The hissing is not a big deal.

"Now that I have two pet gates and they can't physically interact, I've gotten a little bit lax about letting them see each other a bit even outside of treat times, like say when I'm going into her room and she goes to the gate before I'm able to close the door. " - I am not sure I understand. It is ok if they see each other outside of treat time as long as it is positive.

"Hawthorne always comes to the gate when he hears it opening. He wants to see what's up." - Yes, totally normal.

"This afternoon, I went in to visit Florence and they saw each other through the gates and she hissed, just once." - Yes, as MamanyT and Pearl said that is fine and normal. They said it better than I could. Hissing is just communication so as long as nothing negative happens after then it is fine.

"Hawthorne was crouching and staring a bit. " - Yes, he would He is intrigued by this beautiful girl in the other room!!

"She was easily distracted and came to eat some treats in her food puzzle." - Perfect!! The fact she is easily distracted was a great sign.

" Then I closed the door." - You can leave the door open at that point. Just make it positive, reassure. It is good for him to see her distracted.

"They would have been about five or six feet apart (with two pet gates in between)." - OK, that is fine.

"Two questions from this: 1. Is the goal to get to the point where there is NO hissing and they are friendly towards each other through the gate?" - The goal is to have nothing negative. So a hiss and then nothing else is totally fine and good (what we want). Of course, we prefer no hiss but if it happens it is not a big deal. As long as they then have a positive encounter.

"2. Would this count as a 'negative' encounter?" - If it is just a hiss and they go back to "normal" then it is a positive. The communication was respected which is what we want.

" I'm wondering if I should be more careful and really ONLY let them see each other when it's a positive treat time." - No, I think you can give a little bit more leeway and she how they do.

" I don't want to be undoing the good work of those times. " - Naw, you will not do that. Now, if they would get out and get into a big fight and then one or both are hiding after, acting differently, etc for a long while after then we would have some work to do. But as long as there is just a hiss, then distraction it is a positive. Even if there as pawing at the gates, etc if they get distracted and look away, stop the pawing, etc then it is a positive. Avoiding or stopping a negative encounter is a positive. It builds trust when one thinks "oh, they are not absolutely after me. They chose something else to focus on". Does that make sense? Not sure that was very well written.

Just don't overthink things. It really is more art than science. With the goal of positive associations, positive encounters while avoiding or limiting negative encounters using distraction with something positive and reassurance.

 

[Furmama22]

Thank you all. I am DEFINITELY overthinking things. It's what I do. Every interaction I'm like, is that negative? Part of me wonders if I'm in fact bottlenecking the process and going too slowly. But C calicosrspecial I think I'm understanding better now! A positive encounter isn't just one where only positive behaviours are demonstrated; it's also where any negative behaviour gets redirected or distracted or doesn't escalate. Your explanation was very clear!

We're moving now to a bit more 'free time' with the door open and the pet gates closed. A little bit more like what A ArtNJ described in an earlier post, i.e. letting them see each other and theoretically start to get used to the sight of each other for longer stretches - and to see from that that nothing bad happens. Right now I'm reading in the room with Florence with the door open (and the pet gates closed). Both cats are taking naps (so nothing is happening - in part because Hawthorne doesn't quite realize the door is open) but we'll see what happens when he wakes up.

Otherwise we might try a bit of what A ArtNJ described - just let Florence growl it out while trying to distract/show her nothing bad happens (and distract Hawthorne as well). I want to see if that helps move things along.

 

[pearl99]

then one or both are hiding after, acting differently, etc for a long while after then we would have some work to do.

C calicosrspecial , I have a question I keep meaning to ask but keep forgetting to. What do you consider a long while to return to normal? Would it be 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes? Or more?

 

[calicosrspecial]

C calicosrspecial , I have a question I keep meaning to ask but keep forgetting to. What do you consider a long while to return to normal? Would it be 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes? Or more?

It depends on body language and the actions they are taking and where in the process. So in the early part I would say many hours into days. In the middle (and again depending on where they are) hours (say 6-24). Near the end, an hour to two would be long.

It also really depends on how severe the abnormal is. So if they aren't normal but it is more just cautious walking then it isn't a big deal while hiding, avoiding, and other issues all combined would be more severe (which tend to last longer). But sometimes the cautious walking can last a while but not really be a true issue.

You kinda know when you see it. It is a bit hard to explain and there are so set rules. The cats typically will tell us if it was really an issue or just more of a temporary issue.

Going through examples tend to be best as they can be more in context. It has been a while since I have seen a concerning long rebound time on here. (Which I guess is good but makes it difficult to show).

Do you have an example to take a look at?

 

[calicosrspecial]

Thank you all. I am DEFINITELY overthinking things. It's what I do. Every interaction I'm like, is that negative? Part of me wonders if I'm in fact bottlenecking the process and going too slowly. But C calicosrspecial I think I'm understanding better now! A positive encounter isn't just one where only positive behaviours are demonstrated; it's also where any negative behaviour gets redirected or distracted or doesn't escalate. Your explanation was very clear!

We're moving now to a bit more 'free time' with the door open and the pet gates closed. A little bit more like what A ArtNJ described in an earlier post, i.e. letting them see each other and theoretically start to get used to the sight of each other for longer stretches - and to see from that that nothing bad happens. Right now I'm reading in the room with Florence with the door open (and the pet gates closed). Both cats are taking naps (so nothing is happening - in part because Hawthorne doesn't quite realize the door is open) but we'll see what happens when he wakes up.

Otherwise we might try a bit of what A ArtNJ described - just let Florence growl it out while trying to distract/show her nothing bad happens (and distract Hawthorne as well). I want to see if that helps move things along.

You are welcome.

"I am DEFINITELY overthinking things. It's what I do. " - It is what we all pretty much do when we are new to it.

"Every interaction I'm like, is that negative?" - I know. But I do think you will know it when you see it. And watching how they respond after. So if you can;t distract, if their body language is really negative, if they are hiding, avoiding, not eating, not looking for food or attention (if they do otherwise) etc then it is more negative. And negative is a spectrum where there are blips, mild, concerning, severe etc. The best thing to do is mention it on here and I can let you know. So far I haven't read anything concering.

"Part of me wonders if I'm in fact bottlenecking the process and going too slowly." - Yes, it is hard to find the right balance. I tend to go slower but we don't want to impede the "getting to know you" process. So tolerating some "negativity" is reasonable. BUT we don't want negativity to get ingrained. So how they respond to a negative (speed of rebound) is key. It really is art. I think your instincts are good so just trust them and of course share with us. With the gates the negative encounters can't get too bad and distrust can't get too ingrained. If you sense changes from "normal" behavior for prolonged times then we know the negative was too much.

"But C calicosrspecial I think I'm understanding better now! A positive encounter isn't just one where only positive behaviours are demonstrated; it's also where any negative behaviour gets redirected or distracted or doesn't escalate. Your explanation was very clear!" - EXACTLY!!! SO if there is high tension, staring, growling, etc and we get a cat to look away and it diffuses then that is actually a positive encounter. We avoided a negative which is a positive. We don't ideally want that situation BUT if it presents itself and we diffuse it then it actually is a positive that will build trust.

"We're moving now to a bit more 'free time' with the door open and the pet gates closed. A little bit more like what A ArtNJ described in an earlier post, i.e. letting them see each other and theoretically start to get used to the sight of each other for longer stretches - and to see from that that nothing bad happens." - I think that is great. If you see them getting a little "funny" just distract, reassure, etc.

"Right now I'm reading in the room with Florence with the door open (and the pet gates closed). Both cats are taking naps (so nothing is happening - in part because Hawthorne doesn't quite realize the door is open) but we'll see what happens when he wakes up." - PERFECT!!! EXACTLY the right thing to do.

"Otherwise we might try a bit of what A ArtNJ described - just let Florence growl it out while trying to distract/show her nothing bad happens (and distract Hawthorne as well). I want to see if that helps move things along." - Yes, as long as she isn't really growling and it is escalating. As long as you can distract and keep it positive (nothing bad really happening) I think that is good. If one of them is starting to act a bit different then we'll adjust.

It really comes down to knowledge and effort and in rare cases the cats. Pretty much in 98 or 99% of the cases it is the first two that matter. I find very, very, very rarely the cats prevent a successful intro in spite of knowledge and effort. Once in a great while the cats are challenging even with the first two but that is actually pretty rare.

Everything in your situation points to success. I am not worried about the knowledge, I am not worried about the effort and I am not worried about the cats. IF there were issues I would know it by now. My instinct is pretty good about just knowing.

I get a sense Florence's growling is "much ado about nothing" but we'll watch Hawthorne's response.

I really am not worried. Everything you are seeing is normal. Just feel free to try things with the basic principles in mind (positive association, positive encounter, distract as needed).

Keep up the great work!!!

 

[pearl99]

Do you have an example to take a look at?

I don't really have an example, mine are pretty well getting along and just some cautious walking at times and sitting under the coffee table to observe sometimes. Just looking for some detail, which you have given- I get it better now. Very helpful.

 

[calicosrspecial]

I don't really have an example, mine are pretty well getting along and just some cautious walking at times and sitting under the coffee table to observe sometimes. Just looking for some detail, which you have given- I get it better now. Very helpful.

Hopefully it helps.

Cautious walking can just be to let the other know they don't mean anything. So even if something like that lasted for days I wouldn't be worried. There would have to be other issues.

Sitting under a coffee table to observe (in isolation) again wouldn't be an issue even if it was lasting a long time. If there were a number of others things combined with it and they were getting into some pretty serious tussles, etc then some work would need to be done.

I think try to think of quality of life is key. So if a cat is in constant fear, etc then work needs to be done. But if they are generally doing well, enjoying themselves, eating well, etc then it is just minor clean up type stuff.

But once they are successfully intro'd it is really, really rare where there wouldn't be enough time to stem any issues. It is the "risk point" I mention that is really important. If they pass that then it is really clean up work rather than serious work that needs to be done.

Your instincts are really good so I think you would really know if there was an issue rather than fear or suspect there might be an issue.

It is hard but just send me a message anytime. I would need some context (which is easy in threads like this rather than one off questions) but typically it is pretty quick to drill down on to what is going on.

I wish it was more science than art but sadly it isn't. There is a lot of nuance. But being on here (the site much more than this thread since this thread is pretty vanilla ) gives a lot of good examples to learn from. If I come across some I will try to remember to point them out.

 

[Furmama22]

I've never been happier to be considered vanilla, hahaha! I take that as a positive.

 

[pearl99]

Hopefully it helps.

Cautious walking can just be to let the other know they don't mean anything. So even if something like that lasted for days I wouldn't be worried. There would have to be other issues.

Sitting under a coffee table to observe (in isolation) again wouldn't be an issue even if it was lasting a long time. If there were a number of others things combined with it and they were getting into some pretty serious tussles, etc then some work would need to be done.

I think try to think of quality of life is key. So if a cat is in constant fear, etc then work needs to be done. But if they are generally doing well, enjoying themselves, eating well, etc then it is just minor clean up type stuff.

But once they are successfully intro'd it is really, really rare where there wouldn't be enough time to stem any issues. It is the "risk point" I mention that is really important. If they pass that then it is really clean up work rather than serious work that needs to be done.

Your instincts are really good so I think you would really know if there was an issue rather than fear or suspect there might be an issue.

It is hard but just send me a message anytime. I would need some context (which is easy in threads like this rather than one off questions) but typically it is pretty quick to drill down on to what is going on.

I wish it was more science than art but sadly it isn't. There is a lot of nuance. But being on here (the site much more than this thread since this thread is pretty vanilla ) gives a lot of good examples to learn from. If I come across some I will try to remember to point them out.

Yeah Waffles has always liked to have a "roof" over his head and enjoys under the coffee table, cave beds, bottom of a tower etc. before I brought in any new cats. Yep we are intro'd and in a bit of cleanup here and there.

 

[pearl99]

I've never been happier to be considered vanilla, hahaha! I take that as a positive.

Vanilla with cats is good I think! Too funny.

 

[calicosrspecial]

Yeah Waffles has always liked to have a "roof" over his head and enjoys under the coffee table, cave beds, bottom of a tower etc. before I brought in any new cats. Yep we are intro'd and in a bit of cleanup here and there.

Yes, some cats do. So that is "normal".

A lot of households have some clean up here and there over the years. Very few multi cat households are perfect. And as the number of cats increases the number of "clean up" moments increases almost exponentially. But there are fundamental basics and as long as those lines are not crossed then it really is just clean up.

One other thing I should ad on 'fast rebound" is also the location. So, say they have a negative encounter in a hallway passing each other. It gets a bit messy and they separate. They go to other areas and "fast rebound" while in that hallway they tend to be a bit more cautious. So is that a fast rebound or not? I would say yes as long as there isn't any real negativity in that hallway again. So the timeframes I mentioned above are really full rebounds where they are fine in the territory or location the negative encounter happened.

And it also depends on the severity of the encounter. So a full blown fight, blood, vet visit etc would have a different timeframe than a hiss and a swat across the face.

It is at least 3 dimensional if not 4 dimensional with a lot of moving parts. BUT when you are in it you can tell. It is kind of like describing love. I mean, a person can say they think of the other person first, do things for them, etc. But describing the feeling is really difficult until you feel it (or see a troubled rebound). :/.

This will all make more sense in time with experience. You will instinctively know.