Does anyone have cats that just don't like each other?

[Cf24248]

I have four kitties - Two boys (the cats in question, Fruit Loop and Ori) and two girls (bonded pair). The boys were absolute hell to introduce to each other for a lot of factors - The full workup is in my last thread about them, lol. I have, FINALLY, gotten to the point that Fruit Loop is integrated into the household, and he's a free cat 24/7. It took a very, very long time and a lot of effort to get here. I do have Feliway diffusers, and both boys wear a pheromone collar. Ori is a bit neurotic so he is on a low dose of Prozac as well.

The boys do not like each other. They don't trust each other. If one looks askance at the other they'll freeze and growl, and possibly fight. They get testy if the other walks past them too close, and will growl. There's generally one "fight" per day, where one will chase and ambush the other and they'll spat for a second before splitting up, but sometimes we go a day-two-three without. If one walks past the other one lying down or something, half the time they will SLINK - slooowly creep past. None of these fights are "real" with claws and teeth, but it does usually result in both of them slinking away and one coming to me for cover and being tense (not relaxing, lip licking, etc) for a while.

At the same time, they cohabitate mostly fine. They're sleeping on my bed together right now - And both slept with me last night, one on my legs and one curled up by my side. They'll both play with a wand toy at the same time. They'll look out the sliding door together and ignore each other. When I come home, all four kitties will come greet me, and they all swarm my legs for mealtime generally without issue. They're good at ignoring each other much of the time.

Anyone else have this dynamic? Fruit Loop has been a free cat for several months now, and it's been generally the same. I generally live by the house rule of "you don't have to like each other, but you have to live with each other" so as it stands, it's fine if they don't learn to love each other, so long as the situation doesn't get worse or something. I'm mostly curious if anyone has had this same kind of situation, and how did it go long term? Did the cats learn to tolerate each other more? Trust is clearly their main issue so I'm hoping with (lots of) time, it'll improve, but I'd love input from cat parents in similar situations!

Black cat is Ori, tabby is Fruit Loop looking out the window as if they like each other

 

[Kris107]

Sometimes the best you can hope for is cats who coexist in relative peace as roommates. Cats are generally creatures of habit and comfort, so with more time they might mellow more as they really learn who each other are. Your attitude is right about not forcing them to like each other but to live together. Just help them with boundaries and reinforce positive interactions.

 

[guarua]

Yes, my two older cats were like this. In hindsight, the younger of the two needed more playtime because he would pick on the other cat when bored. They're 10 and 7 now and both mellowed out a bit. The first two years or so were the worst. Now they have occasional, monthly spats (just hissing) but get along mostly just fine. I did notice the younger will chase the older one at night so they are kept separate then. He is much better now that he has playmates. Also we live in a bigger house with more cat furniture spread around so they can comfortably avoid each other and have their own spaces.
Definitely keep reinforcing positive interactions as said above. Mealtime together is a good way to build a bond as well as parallel play. But don't take the fights too lightly. Make sure their nails are clipped or capped so you don't have any injuries. I know you said there usually aren't claws out but it's good to be safe. And distribute the resources around your house so that there isn't competition.

 

[Sarah M]

I have four kitties - Two boys (the cats in question, Fruit Loop and Ori) and two girls (bonded pair). The boys were absolute hell to introduce to each other for a lot of factors - The full workup is in my last thread about them, lol. I have, FINALLY, gotten to the point that Fruit Loop is integrated into the household, and he's a free cat 24/7. It took a very, very long time and a lot of effort to get here. I do have Feliway diffusers, and both boys wear a pheromone collar. Ori is a bit neurotic so he is on a low dose of Prozac as well.

The boys do not like each other. They don't trust each other. If one looks askance at the other they'll freeze and growl, and possibly fight. They get testy if the other walks past them too close, and will growl. There's generally one "fight" per day, where one will chase and ambush the other and they'll spat for a second before splitting up, but sometimes we go a day-two-three without. If one walks past the other one lying down or something, half the time they will SLINK - slooowly creep past. None of these fights are "real" with claws and teeth, but it does usually result in both of them slinking away and one coming to me for cover and being tense (not relaxing, lip licking, etc) for a while.

At the same time, they cohabitate mostly fine. They're sleeping on my bed together right now - And both slept with me last night, one on my legs and one curled up by my side. They'll both play with a wand toy at the same time. They'll look out the sliding door together and ignore each other. When I come home, all four kitties will come greet me, and they all swarm my legs for mealtime generally without issue. They're good at ignoring each other much of the time.

Anyone else have this dynamic? Fruit Loop has been a free cat for several months now, and it's been generally the same. I generally live by the house rule of "you don't have to like each other, but you have to live with each other" so as it stands, it's fine if they don't learn to love each other, so long as the situation doesn't get worse or something. I'm mostly curious if anyone has had this same kind of situation, and how did it go long term? Did the cats learn to tolerate each other more? Trust is clearly their main issue so I'm hoping with (lots of) time, it'll improve, but I'd love input from cat parents in similar situations!

Black cat is Ori, tabby is Fruit Loop looking out the window as if they like each other View attachment 487981

Heya! I'm also in the middle of a long introduction process, so curious to read what other pet parents have to say. But I just wanted to hop on and say that Ori is such a mood! Gorgeous Regal

And Fruit Loops! Cutie patotie!

 

[Cf24248]

Yes, my two older cats were like this. In hindsight, the younger of the two needed more playtime because he would pick on the other cat when bored. They're 10 and 7 now and both mellowed out a bit. The first two years or so were the worst. Now they have occasional, monthly spats (just hissing) but get along mostly just fine. I did notice the younger will chase the older one at night so they are kept separate then. He is much better now that he has playmates. Also we live in a bigger house with more cat furniture spread around so they can comfortably avoid each other and have their own spaces.
Definitely keep reinforcing positive interactions as said above. Mealtime together is a good way to build a bond as well as parallel play. But don't take the fights too lightly. Make sure their nails are clipped or capped so you don't have any injuries. I know you said there usually aren't claws out but it's good to be safe. And distribute the resources around your house so that there isn't competition.

All four of mine have clipped claws! There's no sharp bits, they're all nice and blunt, lol.

Unfortunately Ori is a little food aggressive, so mealtimes absolutely need to be separated, but they do okay with treats. I've been playing with all of them together instead. If there's ever a spat that seems more than a scuffle, the instigator goes into the bedroom for a bit of a time out and that usually is enough to chill them out. Luckily it's less frequent now than it used to be - Once a week maybe. Playing with the wand toy and tiring them out seems to be helping as well.

Heya! I'm also in the middle of a long introduction process, so curious to read what other pet parents have to say. But I just wanted to hop on and say that Ori is such a mood! Gorgeous Regal

And Fruit Loops! Cutie patotie!

Thank you! I have SO many pictures of Ori looking like royalty lmaooo. He's a handsome kitty, and so svelte and sleek - Like a little panther

 

[vampiric_conure]

My second and third cats, Countess and Gerta, were roommates more than friends. This was before I knew how to introduce cats properly. They would eat beside each other, use the same litterbox, and sit next to each other, but stick them in a kennel together and they fought like demons. They were rarely seen sleeping next to each other, if ever.

 

[LeiLatte]

Yes some of my cats are very territorial. I have to keep them in separate areas from the ones they dislike. They will fight with and attack certain ones.

 

[aliceneko]

I had two cats who didn't get along, so sadly we now only have the one as we suspect Fudge rehomed himself. They're both very territorial and by the end of their time together, they were constantly fighting and it wasn't pleasant for them or for us. In hindsight, the shelter probably should have rehomed them separately or we could have separated them for the time being when we first adopted them, but their clashes were only evident later on as they grew older.