Inside and Outside Cats

---

     It was just last year that we were adapting our new little Burmese kitten to our two dogs. That was a time-investing, heart committed time of months of special care and attention that the new kitty was protected, safe, developed a sense of self and that the dogs adjusted to this new, rather spoiled indoor kitten we have. We successfully did that, and the dogs and kittens within months were best of friends with everyone maintaining their own identities and sanity.

Well, come along a much older Tom cat that moved into our home along with a family friend. This was a much bigger challenge. Big difference in a Tom cat and a genteel indoor cat. We again took this on with special attention, careful observation and watchful waiting. It was rather disastrous it seemed at first. Neither liked each other, particularly our cat felt his home was infringed upon, and he was scared of this much bigger outdoor Tom cat. The hissing sounds that came out of our cat could have scared a lion. That is pretty much went on the first week. Our cat, Sid, hissed and made other worldly sounds at the Tom cat and the Tom cat, Tabby, sat back and watched and pounced.

We watched this behavior, protecting both cats for the first week. Nothing really changed that first week; they really did not like each other. Then Tabby started eating Sid抯 food and roaming and sleeping on his bed etc., and I thought all heck would break out. There were the hisses and now Sid was on the attack, but nothing near serious or enough to totally separate the two. We just kept observing that nothing serious happened.
Gradually this hissing stopped; although, not the pouncing and seemingly aggressive behavior. The watchful waiting and separation when necessary seemed fruitful. Eventually, even though it seemed that they were being rough with each other, tails began to wag and it appeared that the two of them were getting used to each other and tolerating each other at least. We still watched carefully but it did appear that their interactions were not as intense.

The worst night was when Tabby tried to sleep in our bedroom or take over our bedroom where Sid does sleep with us at night. We did have to separate them that night. Sid did not want to give up his room.

After that though things seemed to improve. Their aggression became watchful playfulness. They began chasing each other around the house and acting like old friends. They play what could appear to be a bit rough, but both are wagging their tails and enjoying their time. They now share their food and litter box. That really surprised me. Instead of Sid constantly pursuing Tabby, they can both have their time in the house in separate rooms and do their own thing, then hang out when they feel like it.

I finally knew that all had married well when Sid did not come to bed one night. He was on a downstairs chair all night; and Tabby was outside all night. Sid was waiting for Tabby to come back inside. He often sits at the back door if Tabby is outside awaiting his new friend抯 return.

So, it can be done, you just need to learn a little about Cat Behaviors. You can take a spoiled, squeamish, inside cat and it can become friends with an established outside Tom cat; it just takes that careful watching and observation, stepping in when it seems out of control, giving each cat their space when needed. Eventually these two lovely cats bonded and now seem to be brothers. Just be patient and take the time and you to can bond an indoor cat with an outdoor cat.