Is this "rumblestrutting?"

[Lady Chutterly]

I've seen the word but never seen it done. Lady C is getting very low to the ground and crawling forward, almost like a lion in the grass, making a grouchy purring sound when she gets close to Ginger. She'll do that once or twice, then walk up against Ginger, rubbing her full body length against her. Is that rumblestrutting?

[Jennicat]

That sounds very consistent with how I'd describe rumblestrutting!

[Josephine]

Yes, sounds like the crouching-rumblestrut!

[Lady Chutterly]

Okay, so that is "minor agressive" right? And the yawning - it's not taking place right in Ginger's face, but she seems to be yawning a bit more than normal. That's tooth-showing, right? Also a "minor agressive?"

I've separated them for the night, but want to try another introduction in the morning.

Is the rubbing up against like marking territory? That would be a good thing, right?

I REALLY want these two to get along eventually!! Can you tell?

[Jennicat]

I would consider it a normal part of an introduction, and not necessarily a bad sign. However, I really wouldn't separate and reintroduce them over and over again. They'll just have to start over from the beginning! It's better to block out several hours and just let them finish the henpecking.

[Lady Chutterly]

We'll try that today, Jennicat. I started at 2PM yesterday with a floor-time introduction, then I bathed them together and at 10PM they were still going at it. Chutt would chase and peck at Ginger, then they'd be okay for fifteen minutes or so. At one point Chutt snuggled up to Ginger and took a nap. I figured it was over at that point, but it wasn't.

The good news is that Ginger is very submissive and either stands there and takes it or runs and hides. So I don't think we'll get to the "mass of biting fur" stage.

I was afraid to go to bed and leave them in the same cage together. We haven't had any clumps of bitten fur or blood, so I guess I'm just being overprotective. Mommies get that way.

[Shadow]

You will find that they rumblestrut more when they are in heat.

[Lady Chutterly]

More than NOW? I can't imagine. She does this rumbling almost every time she spots Ginger.

Is it safe for me to leave them in the same cage overnight? Chutt is still nipping. This is so sad to watch. I know it's part of the pecking order scheme of things, but Chutt was so sweet and she's become such a bully. And poor Ginger, she's so tiny and submissive, and it's not doing her a lot of good. I am being careful to make sure I give Ginger food away from Chutt so I know she is able to eat and drink. I don't want the bullying to get to the point that Ginger can't eke out a survival!

I kept warning Chutt not to get so uppity when she said to Ginger, "I was here first!" A few minutes ago Ginger got into the pigloo first (we have three hidey places, one is even too small for Chutt) and she really let Chutt have it when she tried to kick her out! "I was HERE first!"

Maybe I should put a grid wall between them for a few days?

[Foggycreek]

I'd just leave them. You need to be brave, and let them figure it out for themselves! Unless there is blood, of course.

[Lady Chutterly]

Okay............

There seemed to be more fighting about the pigloo than anything, so I took it out and replaced it with a stepstool. Both piggies are happier now and only seem to fight at mealtime and if they get bored. Both are popcorning and zooming from time to time and Chutt seems to be okay with occasionally letting Ginger get to the food. Ginger's got a great set of lungs on her, and I think the very loud (compared to what I'm used to) squealing probably makes me nervous about the amount of pain she's in.