Swatting

[RummyCats]

Still introducing my cats. I have two resident cats and a new cat (to them, he was actually mine from a previous relationship and we've been recently reunited). Introductions seem to be going fairly well! No fights or any big tiffs yet. We are at controlled introductions, we can eat in the same room together, play together, see each other without a fuss. But... the new cat wants a bath from one of my residents. He used to do this with his former cat friends, where he put his head under their chin to get a bath. But my resident cat does not understand what he's doing and swats him before running away. The new cat is pretty good at not getting offended but definitely does sometimes. Do I continue to let this interaction happen until they learn each other's boundaries or should I be discouraging the new cat from making my resident cat uncomfortable lol
Thanks!

 

[Kwik]

May I ask what you mean by " controlled" introductions? When did your new( old friend) come to live with you? Is he separated from the residents when not supervised?

Your resident that runs away only runs away from the new addition ? I'm asking if his behavior towards the unfamiliar cat is uncharacteristic of him?

One of my 5 cats has the same reaction to all his fellow residents- when anyone come " under " him instead of reciprocating and offer a groom he will try to put his arms around them ( which thats not what they want,lol) and then because they go " over" he runs away.... he's not scared though,he comes back to play..... so my point is if it's his personality or has he just not yet accepted the unfamiliar cat?

 

[Kris107]

I'd say let them work it out but also see if you can get the one to not bug the other? Cat parenting sometimes feels like parenting. I have seen some of my cats needle each other just for fun.

 

[VAMama]

Intervene when they fight. Otherwise let them work out awkward interaction.