Tale of Two Kitties, part the second

Well, it's been a busy two weeks here at Chez-Ranger.  In-law visits, end-of-grade-tests, and cat integration issues have made it very tiring here.  We've gotten the two girls face to face several times over the past few days and so far:  no blood.  Lots of noise, but no actual contact.  Here's Maddie keeping an eye on the competition:

And then we have a shot of Ivy doing the same, eyes actually glowing...

We've been really impressed with Maddie's behavior.  Oh, she's hissed and growled, and even charged once or twice, but she's been remarkably open-minded about this.  It's little Ivy that's been the very vocal growl-fiend.  Any time Maddie comes into the computer room, Ivy starts up with the opera.  They did occupy the same room for an hour or so last night in relative peace, and we're hoping to build on that. 

Ivy came out this eve while we were cleaning up from dinner, and walked all around the house.  Maddie took it well until Ivy stuck her head in Maddie's litterbox.  That almost lead to blows, but Ivy wisely retreated.  We thought it was funny that it's little Ivy that has the aggressive, trash-talking personality in the face of our 16 pound Maine Coon, but we realized that, since she's probably been on her own outside for a while, other cats have probably been pretty crappy to her, and she's just defensive and apprehensive about Catzilla here.  Anyway, we did find a way to soothe things somewhat.  A dab of Vanilla Ice Cream for Ivy and a handful of

chicken and cheese treats for Maddie and a chance to rest up in her chair-fort.

We'll try to keep any good vibes going.  If you have any good ideas, let me know.

UPDATE:  AAAAAGGGHHHH!!!  Well, after smelling eachother for two weeks, and 4 days of supervised visits, we just had our first violence.  Ivy was wandering around the house, and Maddie jumped her.  Literally on top of this cat half her size.  Chased her around the house and jumped her again.  Took us a water bottle and serious herding before everyone was back in their safe rooms.  We'd experienced hisses and growls, but we weren't expecting this sort of combat.  Is this normal?  We were afraid that Maddie would slaughter Ivy  Scared the crap outta us.  Probably all four of us.  HELP.

Comments

[Laurence Simon]

The glowy-eyed one of ivy would be great in the Carnival of the Cats homepage banner. Is it 4 by 3? if so, let me know. -ls

[D]

I was worried too when I brought home my second one. By then my older cat (a Maine Coon mix, male) was two years old. Thankfully they haven't killed each other yet and it's been almost a year. I think you're okay as long as they don't draw blood. My cats did the same thing when they first came face to face for an extended period of time. They really seemed to be killing each other. I had to get on the internet and do some research but apparently all the roughhousing is a way for them to bond! I don't get it but they survived. They still roughhouse like that and they seem to be having fun. If either of the cats don't like it they let the other one know. Just keep a close eye on them and let them work it out. I think that's the best way to deal with the situation. I hope this helps!

[Deann]

Now I can keep tabs on Maddie & Ivy during the summer! Maddie still cracks me up, so adorable! Deann~