We adopted two rescue cats (one year old female litter pair) in October, they had been rehomed because the previous owner had moved in with someone with allergies, so no trauma or neglect.
They have settled in really well with our family and the time came for them to start going outdoors about 3 weeks ago. The first couple of days were fine, they explored our garden quite happily. Then, next doors cats got wind of them - they are young males and clearly consider our garden to be their territory. Every time they encounter one another there are standoffs and hissing plus a bit of scrapping. Our two are now very reluctant to go out - one goes out for a few minutes most days but doesn't venture any further than the patio, she will hold her own quite well with the other cats but eventually retreats indoors. The other won't go out at all.
Can anyone give me any idea if they are likely to settle their differences eventually or are we going to have to settle for them being house cats more or less, I guess that wouldn't be the end of the world, but it seems to me that it would be better all round for them to go out. We were thinking of putting in a microchip catflap so they can come and go as they please. Any other suggestions would be welcome.