Adopted 2 cats. They hate each other!

[MudLifeCrisis]

I got 2 cats from the Rspca a couple of weeks ago. They were in the same pen-not related. I was told they really loved each other. They slept separately in there though. As I was filling out the forms o e of the cats attacked the other. The woman said to them ‘come on, don’t spoil this for yourself!’
Anyway. The ginger one was horrible to the black one. Black would be minding her own business and BAM teeth around her neck in a headlock! She’s be meowing like max trying to get him off!
Well it seems she’s had enough now and fights back! Heard her in the middle of the night, growling, tail like a loo brush! The ginger one was terrified. Then ensued a fur-flying episode where I had to separate them!
I spoke to the Rspca after a few days of having them and they said see how it goes. Not great!
My kids are terrified of them now too because they keep scratching them in their fights!
What do I do? I can’t watch them constantly.
I think I might have to return them... 😢

I would return one. Most cats are happier by themselves - they are territorial. (There will be lots of posters saying how their cat loves their kitty friend, but in general the cat is a creature that walks alone - we anthropomorphise their friendships).

If you want to keep them you can work on it. Keep them in separate territories etc feed them in different rooms. Then gradually bring them together. It takes ages and doesnt always work. You are better adopting siblings. The RSPCA advised you badly

I just spoke to them. They said I can take one of them back. I feel so guilty though. Separately they’re lovely. It’s not practical at all for me to keep them apart. My kids don’t understand closing doors!
How on earth do I choose which one to send back?!
Here they are in a rare moment of calm!

Briefly Harmonious

Mine are siblings and still don't get on

When we first adopted them, they had a few scraps and the previous owner said they were just messing around. It turns out they weren't and we have had fur flying!

Unfortunately now we are far too attached to them both to rehome either, but they do spend most of their time apart. (We obviously would rehome if we felt they were in real danger but for now their behaviour is manageable).

It seems to be jealousy from the male one - if we fuss his sister in front of him he gets annoyed so we try to give him lots of attention. That has helped to an extent.

There is advice online but some cats just prefer living alone. I wish you the best of luck!

That's a shame, most adult pairs at rescues are genuinely bonded and happy together. Did they tell you anything about their history, such as if they came from the same home? Or had they been paired up whilst at the rescue?

I think I would take the ginger one back, purely because it will be easy for them to home a ginger cat (black and black & white cats unfortunately tend to be overlooked).

I had two a male and a much older female. When the male got to 6 months he started trying to assert dominance over the female and was always jumping on her from behind - blue murder ensued.
Eventually they gave up and peacefully co-existed but it did take a couple of years.
They then avoided each other completely and pretended the other didn't exist.
When the male died a year ago she took one sniff, walked over his body and off, she really didn't care.
I once caught them sleeping in the same basket and they both looked deeply, deeply uncomfortable with the situation
Probably best to give one back.

They are both 8 months old. Not related. They just paired them up at the centre. Probably due to space issues?
Ginger chap has gone back. I felt such a bastard but something had to give. This little lady is so much more chilled already though. Peace has been restored

I think it was best to take one back. A young ginger cat will be easy to home.
We often get pairs through my CP centre and some are genuinely bonded; others not. Often separating the cats brings out their personalities more and they are happier. We had someone adopt a pair and return the male as he was being horrible to his sister/other cat. The adopter tried several things but it just wasn't to be. He was rehomed again pretty quickly I recall.

That’s what the RSPCA said. He’ll find a home in no time. I did say I’d take him back if they struggled though. Hate the thought of him being cold and scared in the cattery tonight