My cats keep fighting?

Question

I have about 6 or 7 weeks ago, introduced a new cat into my home. She is about 3 years old. I already have a cat which is around 14 years old. They are both neutered females. My problem is that the younger cat is very aggressive towards the older one,.despite there having been 4 cats at her previous home whome she wasn't aggressive towards at all. This is causing a major headache, so much so that I will have to rehome the new cat if this continues. I really don't want to do that so has anyone got any idea's on why this is happening and what I can do to stop this aggressive behaviour. No silly or sarcastic answers please....it doesn't impress me and it does you no favours either.

Answer 1

One thing that helps is to make sure that each cat has her personal space and belongings, and make sure that these things are not close to one another's. For example, if your older cat has always been fed in the kitchen, put her toys or other things close by and move the other cat's belongings elsewhere. Cats will fight while establishing territory: by determining which belongs to whom, the transition will be a bit less aggressive. And most important, be sure to give each pet her own time of special attention so they don't have to compete for it (preferably in their own spaces). Good luck!

Answer 2

I know someone going thro the same thing, & it is definately a case of testing the dominance! It might just be that they are never going to like each other so be prepared for that. But 6 weeks is a long time to still be fighting, I recommend buying a spray that has an ingredient called "feliway" in it from one of the big box Pet Stores, it calms down stressed out cats, costs about $30 but is worth it. You can also get it from your vet but of course it will cost more then! Also make sure you have at least 2 ( 3 is better) litter boxes in diferent places around your home. Try & give your cats plenty of places to hide, think vertically ( cat trees, shoes boxes on chairs, etc) Keep your cats nails trimmed if possible to lessen any injuries. And Good Luck :)

Answer 3

I have 2 cats that I just adopted 6 months ago. They are sisters, 6 years old & grew up together. One is very aggressive toward the other one (who is passive). It drives me crazy too, but I've sort of gotten used to it. It seems to be worse at some times than others. (Like when they are both vying for affection & attention) I've read that it's a territorial thing. It's also a big change for both cats (the original one & the new one). One cat usually emerges as "top cat"...it sounds like the new one is trying to establish herself. I haven't tried this, but I've heard it works: Feliway spray. It also comes in a plug in deodorizer. It's a cat pheromone which supposedly relaxes cats, reduces aggression, fighting etc. It seems to be reputable because it is also sold by veterinarians

Answer 4

Cats are Territorial and the younger cat has to prove to the older cat that it can take it's territory for her and establish it as it's on. The older cat has to stand her ground and say I've already marked this place as my territory and you can't have it. They will either eventually learn to share space or the dominant cat will kill the other cat. You have to decide if you want that to happen. It would have been different if they had been raised together. You probably should decide which cat you want to keep and get rid of the other. Just be thankful you didn't get a Tom, they mark their territory by spraying urine on it like just like a skunk. Then you're whole house smells like cat.

Answer 5

Well, I lived with two female cats who were sisters from the same litter and they HATED each other! It was like living in a war zone. It's one of those things you just have to learn to live with. They sort out their own pecking order in the end which leaves a sort of uneasy truce. They lived like this more or less, for their entire 18 years.

I got a dog (a large Labrador) and they were both so horrified, that they joined together against their common enemy, and for the last 6 months of their lives, were quite friendly to each other. I wish I'd thought of it sooner!

Answer 6

Your older cat is of course jealous over the new kid being brought into 'her' home. The new cat wants to dominate the older. I would leave them to their fussing but make sure the older cat doesn't get hurt in the interim. Remember, she was the queen, and who know........perhaps the other cat was the queen at her previous residence, and she was accustomed to the other cats there. It's a game all cats play. 6-7 weeks times, they should be getting used to one another, but in time, they will learn to be more tolerant.

Answer 7

Yep, the younger one is trying to find out who is the boss of the house.. The older female probably feels like this "kid" has no idea what she's getting into. Give them time. They will get used to each other after they figure out who is dominant. They won't hurt each other too bad, and they will learn to stay away from each other if they don't like each other.

Answer 8

I agree with Becs, I have had this problem and used Feliway, but I bought the plug in rather than the spray (like the air freshener kind, but the feliway diffuser doesn't smell of anything to humans). I can really recommend it.

Answer 9

The younger female is attempting to establish dominance. Let them work it out. It is unlikely either will do any permanent harm. Don't get involved. Unless they start doing something destructive (marking furniture or shredding drapes), let them be.

Answer 10

I don't know but i think watching this for the first time will be so funny.just 4 1 time.