Rikkitic:

 

First, cats can (eventually) get used to new arrivals, but it is more likely to be grudging tolerance than warm welcome. By nature, cats are mainly solitary creatures. The bonds they develop with humans are probably variations of the bonds they develop with their mothers. These don't usually extend to other cats. But of course there are exceptions. I am speaking in general.

 

Second, cats have a pecking order just like chickens. Even if there is no overt hostility new cat will never be  number 1.

 

Third, expect mass destruction. I adopted a one-eyed kitten many years ago. He is the most destructive creature ever put on this earth. He completely shredded a set of cane chairs I thought would be impervious to him. He has shredded me on more than one occasion, though he is getting better in middle age.

 

Both my cats are neutered males. The pissing competitions are energetic and ongoing. They have marked every square centimetre of this house. The carpets are all stained yellow. I had to make a protective screen for my monitor. even after 10 years they are still doing it, though not nearly as much as they were. I don't know if the pheremones have helped. They may have. All I can say is it is better than it used to be. Here is a tip, by the way: If you go the pheremone route, get them from Amazon. They are very expensive here and they are a third cheaper there than anywhere in New Zealand for the identical product.

 

Don't expect your cats to love or support each other. If you are very, very lucky, they will content themselves with just the occasional all-out battle, teeth and claws and horrible screeching. Usually they don't draw blood.

 

So why do I still have them after all that? Your cats are your children. The commitment is one-way and forever. You don't send them back for a better model because the one you have is damaged. Love is unconditional and absolute.

 

 

 

Holy smokes, that is totally different to my experience and not something I could live with. At one point I had 5 of the blighters (snipped males) and they all got on fine except for the grumpy old previous "only-child" tabby who would give them an opportunistic wallop, and even he often gets caught out doing a yin-yang with the tuxedo grey one on the sly.