Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A new neighbour has just moved in and she has a lovely looking Siamese tom who I have tried welcoming into my apartment to be a friend for my neutered shecat Tiggy who is fascinated with him. However, although the tom loves to come in here he acts very oddly and I cannot decide if he likes me or not. He is constantly making yowing noises and often comes over to my offered hand but if I go to touch him he bites me or scratches me and hisses. He also comes over and bites me gently in the ankle while holding on to it and my sock with his claws. This is somewhat annoying! Tiggy doesn't usually tolerate other cats coming in here or even outside on the path but she doesn't mind him. What is also very weird about this is she used to have a tomcat companion called Smudge who was another Siamese but who sadly died from poison he had eaten when he went out one night (on this island there are people who put poison down for cats but it is very difficult to keep a cat inside!) I am wondering if she is remembering Smudge? Smudge was nothing like this cat in behaviour though because all he liked to do was be cuddled and petted and would never act aggressively. I am just wondering what I should do about this new tom and if anyone knows if he is being friendly or aggressive to me.

Is this tom neutered? It sounds like he is showing some "love-making" behaviors. If he is not being aggressive towards Tiggy, this may be OK, although she would probably be better off not being exposed to any diseases a cat who can go outside might bring in.

It's hard to say what Tiggy is thinking. Sometimes two cats just hit it off for no clear reason. She might indeed remember Smudge.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Thank you for your thoughts on this. Tiggy has been spayed so I don't have to worry about that but as for the Siamese tom I don't know if he's neutered. The people who own him only moved in a couple of days ago. Tiggy doesn't like any of the other cats around here, male or female, and usually chases them away so it is different behavior for her to accept this cat.

Since it's only ben a few days I wouldn't yet worry about him liking you or not. He isn't at the point yet where he fully trusts you but is curious about you at the same time, is my impression. When you hold out your hand and he comes over, just let him sniff, don't try to pet him or hold him or anything. He's trying to check you out, just give him the time he needs. The day he himself rubs his head against your hand you'll know he's ready for cuddles. The fact that he already comes close to you and GENTLY bites you would suggest that all in all he likes you.

I would also think his behaviour suggests an intact male - can you see his testicles form behind? If he's intact indeed, you might have a spraying issue soon enough if you allow him in! Maybe keep the friendship a neighbourly one, restricted to the garden.

Or - pay a welcoming visit to the new neighbours and ask them?

Thank you for your advice, Tilda, all of which makes a lot of sense to me!