Hi all!
We have a 7 month old female Abyssinian and three days ago adopted a 12 week old male Abyssinian (both neutered). We did our best to follow suggestions as to gently introducing them over time, however in a small apartment with two lightening fast cats things didn't go perfectly to plan. At first there was a lot of hissing and swatting, but we continued with scent swapping/keeping them separated/distracting with play and treats when around each other. We are now at a point where they can be in the same room and don't hiss or growl at each other, but do swat and boop each others heads and incessantly CHASE each other.
Sometimes ears flatten and it looks a little rough so we break it up, but both cats just keep going back for more. When put in different rooms they cry for the other to be released, just so they can go back to chasing. Sometimes the chasing leads to someone hiding/being trapped under something at which time we intervene - only to have that cat then bolt for the other again.
Everything I've read suggests that chasing is a sign of aggression, but we're finding it really hard to work out as they both some so EAGER for the behaviour to continue. They're clearly not entirely comfortable with each other because swatting/chasing/stalking/ears going back sometimes when someone comes on too fast... but also exhibit conflicting signs like rolling on their backs together gently swatting and nibbling. The older female is definitely the more wary one and 'stalks' him a little but he doesn't seem to mind and they're both happy to be in the same room to snooze/play/eat, she just maintains an eye on him.
My partner is a very "they'll be right" kind of guy whereas I am a definition helicopter mum so would really appreciate a third party perspective on this one! Essentially I just want to know if they want to kill or chill!
I've attached a photo of them catching their breaths in between rounds of chase and corner and repeat for reference of their confusing behaviour, would post video as its much more wholesome but I am not tech savvy!
Thanks
We have a 7 month old female Abyssinian and three days ago adopted a 12 week old male Abyssinian (both neutered). We did our best to follow suggestions as to gently introducing them over time, however in a small apartment with two lightening fast cats things didn't go perfectly to plan. At first there was a lot of hissing and swatting, but we continued with scent swapping/keeping them separated/distracting with play and treats when around each other. We are now at a point where they can be in the same room and don't hiss or growl at each other, but do swat and boop each others heads and incessantly CHASE each other.
Sometimes ears flatten and it looks a little rough so we break it up, but both cats just keep going back for more. When put in different rooms they cry for the other to be released, just so they can go back to chasing. Sometimes the chasing leads to someone hiding/being trapped under something at which time we intervene - only to have that cat then bolt for the other again.
Everything I've read suggests that chasing is a sign of aggression, but we're finding it really hard to work out as they both some so EAGER for the behaviour to continue. They're clearly not entirely comfortable with each other because swatting/chasing/stalking/ears going back sometimes when someone comes on too fast... but also exhibit conflicting signs like rolling on their backs together gently swatting and nibbling. The older female is definitely the more wary one and 'stalks' him a little but he doesn't seem to mind and they're both happy to be in the same room to snooze/play/eat, she just maintains an eye on him.
My partner is a very "they'll be right" kind of guy whereas I am a definition helicopter mum so would really appreciate a third party perspective on this one! Essentially I just want to know if they want to kill or chill!
I've attached a photo of them catching their breaths in between rounds of chase and corner and repeat for reference of their confusing behaviour, would post video as its much more wholesome but I am not tech savvy!
Thanks
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