2 Recent Cat Adoptions Behavior

Question
Dear Dr. Fry,

We just lost our beloved 13 year old red tabby and adopted 2 unrelated two year old females from a shelter.  They have been in residence since Saturday.  Chelsea was captured outside (no history, but not feral); Katie was in a house with 12 other cats and just had hernia surgery and they also were both neutered.  Both seem to be in good health.

Maybe we are expecting too much in too short a time, but they don't seem to get along.  Chelsea snarls at Katie.  Katie approaches her and Chelsea runs and hides under sofa, bed, etc. and will hiss or snarl.  When we are all together in one room - it is like High Noon.  They just stare at each other.  At least there has not been any out and out fighting - NOT YET!  

They sleep on the bed with us - Chelsea hisses at Katie though when she first attempted.  Are we being to idealistic at this point?

Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely,

Mary Henney

Answer
Hi Mary,

Cats can take several weeks to adjust to a new environment and then adding another cat plus the fact they just had surgery makes things a whole lot more stressful.  Cats are not very good with change.  A tincture of time and patience.

I would, however, recommend adding Rescue Remedy into the water dishes as well as purchasing Comfort Zone or Feliway diffusers to help ease the transition.

Some cats will not get along and some just learn to tolerate one another.  I have 4 cats and the one boy is always picking fights with everyone else.  And of course, sometimes the girls egg him on.

Best wishes!