Both female cats are fairly old (5&9), and we have introduced the younger one into the older one's house. They were aggressive the first few days, but then surprisingly they seemed to get along. They slept in the same room together, they barely fought, and they used only their own food dishes and litter boxes.
A few weeks have passed, and now they fight every morning. They now interchange litter boxes and they eat each other's food (though they both don't seem to mind this). They also drink out of the same water dish. The fights in the morning are very loud, with usually one cat approaching the other. The other will hiss, while the approaching one will remain calm. They will get closer and closer until they have an exchange of paws (both are declawed). Then one will leave and they'll do it again shortly. They both approach each other, but the smaller one backs down when approached and the other always stands her ground. Is this a problem? are they playing? They get along during theday
2006-07-11 12:32:11 · 11 answers · asked by vicl89 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Thank you for your responses so far. Ok, just to add a few things. I have heard the scary meow a few times, as the littler one gets scared when the big one approaches. The big one, very calmly walks towards her, and the little one gets scared and backs away.
Also, the big one is the younger one. They are both very large, though. One is 16 lbs and the other is 12 (after losing a lot of weight), and both are very long. And it's usually the younger one starting fights in the morning, though I don't think her intention is to fight. She's just walking calmly towards the older one. The older one does this to the younger ones sometimes too, but less frequently.
2006-07-11 12:46:22 · update #1
Also, one more thing: the most important thing to me is that the older, smaller one, is not miserable that a new cat has taken over her home. She acts and looks ok, and she does hold her ground and takes her turn harassing the other cat, but how do I know whether or not she's happy? This is, after all, her house and I wouldn't want her to lose it to another cat. Is there a way I can tell her happiness with the whole situation? Besides the fighting in the morning she seems fine. Just a little jumpy now and then.
2006-07-11 13:00:01 · update #2
no, they don't hiss at each other randomly. they only hiss when there is provocation.
when one is not approaching the other, they can sit quietly in the same room. they both sleep in bed with me.
2006-07-11 14:05:16 · update #3
Cats are hierarchal animals. There's a top cat, and other cats have to respect their place. But, they do challenge one another for the top spot. It sounds like your cats have it pretty well worked out who's boss, if the same one always backs down, but the morning quarrel and using the other's litter box sounds like they might be testing each other a bit. The food thing--well, the food in someone else's dish might be better, you know!
I doubt you need to worry; if you let them be, they will figure it out. I have 2 female cats who really, really don't like one another, and they've lived together for several years now without any major problems, or any injuries other than a scratch or two. They do get noisy, yelling at one another, from time to time, but it's pretty much just sound and fury. If you feel you must intervene, a squirt bottle filled with water when they start to get vocal works wonders!
2006-07-11 12:55:29 · answer #1 · answered by functionary01 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I read once that trying to acclimate TWO adult female cats is the hardest combination to do -- as in, "they don't call them QUEENS for nothing". I would make a point of giving the older cat special attention, and tell her she's not losing her space and won't be pushed aside, etc. It does make a difference, and they understand more than you think. It sounds definitely like territorial fighting -- at least threatening -- so you need to make the older kitty feel secure by "protecting" her if you're neaby and the other mean kitty comes to get her. Wrap your arms around her and shoo the other one from her gently, hold her in your lap and comfort her if she's scared. She feels exactly like you would if you were in that situation with all the emotions that would come with it.
2006-07-11 21:46:01 · answer #2 · answered by Shadycat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think one of them is just being moody, and I'm willing to bet the older cat is usually the one starting the fight. I've seen cats do this before, and it's because the older one is trying to keep the younger cat in line. In essence, cats who live together tend to set up a pecking order, where the cat who has been there the longest is at the top. It sounds like the older cat wants to give a "reminder" to the younger cat every morning.
2006-07-11 19:42:24 · answer #3 · answered by Kestra SpiritNova 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My two male cats always fought when they were hungry. Neither one was really trying to hurt the other one, but 30 minutes or so before feedings, they would go at it. If this is before breakfast, it could be the cause. I know how grumpy *I* get when I'm hungry!
If it's not hunger, it's probably just playing and play fighting for dominance. If they aren't hurting each other, try keeping a spray bottle nearby and spray them with a quick stream when it starts so that that it doesn't escalate.
Good luck to you!!
2006-07-11 19:37:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry. It seems more than likely that they took the time to fight it out in the beginning, then established boundaries, and now they're getting along. They are getting to know one another and are now pestering the other like brothers and sisters. This is totally normal. Until you hear the scary Meow (you know the one), I wouldn't worry, and even then, it's still probably just playing.
2006-07-11 19:37:11 · answer #5 · answered by blahblahgrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's probably a little bit of both. The cats are trying to show who's the boss but they're playing also. They have to show where they stand and get used to each other.
2006-07-11 21:25:03 · answer #6 · answered by zlew91 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have two cats that did the same thing. The morning is there freakout time. Watch your feet!!
2006-07-11 19:42:24 · answer #7 · answered by billy bob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a territory thing, the little wants to dominate while older one says no your not.
2006-07-11 19:37:54 · answer #8 · answered by spiritwalker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both. cats want to show that they are the boss and once they establish that they will get along
2006-07-11 20:05:00 · answer #9 · answered by jaijaimjp 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are they hissing at each other? if they are take them away from eachother imediatly
2006-07-11 21:00:40 · answer #10 · answered by Nikki M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋