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Hi Tanja
This is pretty much a reintroduction that you need to go through. They recognise each other by scent and their scents are now different and don't reflect the fact they are part of the same social group anymore. An excellent book to get is 'Cat v Cat' by Pam Johnson-Bennett.
As I said before, Jagger broke out of our cat flap the first night Hendrix came home. We didn't really have time to think and I tried to keep Hendrix in with us so I could deal with this in the morning, but Jagger was terrified, he didn't recognise Hendrix (he stank to high heaven) and was also making the most horrendous feral noise pretty much non-stop. He didn't sound like Hendrix at all. The next day, we found the cat flap dismantled and no Jagger. He came home eventually that day but was really stressed and upset, pacing around and growling etc. We kept them separate for most of that day, got the grooming wipes and gave Hendrix a good rub down which got him started on grooming himself.
We had Feliway plugged in too - there is the original one and also one now called 'Friends' which gives off pheromones that help cats to tolerate each other I believe. I still have a Friends plug in going now as we did have issues for a while but that was due to their becoming socially mature and there being a bit of a squabble over who was the alpha male.
To be honest, we were incredibly lucky as Hendrix kind of took matters into his own little paws. He really wanted to be friends with Jagger again and kept trying to play with him. Jagger was very growly and unhappy at first but as Hendrix took back on the scent of home and could be recognised again, he gradually gave in.
Like Daisy, although Jagger was desperately upset initially when Hendrix went missing, he had adapted to being the only cat and had got used to being able to eat treats in his own time without Hendrix swooping in and stealing them from under his nose which also caused some upset in the first few days. But within ten days, they were sharing a cat tree with no issues! I had just bought the tree before Hendrix went missing and Jagger wouldn't share it at all initially so didn't think he would ever share it after having it to himself for nearly three weeks. Again this was a case of Hendrix deciding he was getting in it no matter what. Jagger did give him a bash on the head for being cheeky but then settled in the bed below - it was like a minor miracle.
You may need to keep them separate and then swap bedding etc, swap areas and try to feed them together on opposite sides of the room if they seem to be more accepting of each other. Let them associate each other with good things, give them treats together etc. The book will give you plenty of direction on this.
They both need plenty of love and reassurance which I know you will be providing in spades, but you'll need to move at their pace to help them reintegrate etc. With two males as opposed to a male and a female, you have different dynamics going on and it could be that you are right and Duke is now very confident after his experience and trying to take full control of the house. In which case, a behaviourist may be required. Debbie Connolly on the Bengal Cat Helpline would be able to help you with this, she has certainly helped me. She specialises with Bengals and it really wasn't too expensive either.
Keep us informed as to progress - you will get there I promise! xx
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Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK
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