Tom and Jez, an update

[sammyroo]

Regulars here may remember that back in February I adopted a pair of brothers, Tom and Jerry. I was told that they were about 2 1/2 years old, brothers, and had lived together all their lives. Unfortunately within days of arriving they were squabbling at a low level, things became worse and worse, until one day they fought (biting) and I had to separate them.
At first after separation they would not even share a lap without immediately tensing and looking hostile. But I kept trying from time to time and eventually (about June) they started to enjoy sharing a lap. Since then, they have been snuggling up together happily, so I started trying them on shared floor time.
They are fine under close supervision, but if left to themselves will rumblestrut, chatter their teeth, mount each other, you name it.....but each time, when it gets to it, they don't actually bite. Last time I had them out for 2 hours and despite several episodes of challenging, no actual fight took place. In between the challenges, they retreated to different parts of the room and ignored each other for a bit.

I don't know if they will ever bond as brothers again...do others think it's a pointless exercise giving them shared floor time, or a good thing?

 

[daisymay]

As long as they are supervised and not hurting each other I can't see what harm it can do....at least they get good exercise and
seem to be getting on better than before I say go for it.... O0

Good luck with them

 

[Glynis]

Gosh you've done so well love O0
I'd keep on with the way you are now
I too had the same problem and like you i perservered and found that floor time actually ended up being fun time :smitten:
Obviously as long as they've got their own space it sounds like they're happy little guys :smitten: :smitten:
When our Sully got sick, Duke cleaned his face for him and would just sit beside him all the time, so you see they can be friends just maybe not cage mates