Any advice on cat dilemma?

Question

I have 3 cats, 2 male, one female. The two males started fighting months ago, so bad that the older male has had puncture wounds and scratches. The oldest is 9 and the youngest is 5, and I've had them both since they were kittens. The youngest, since he was 4 weeks old.

I've had to keep the males separated at all times. It's a little disappointing and upsetting to say the least that after 4 years of them living together, they've all of a sudden decided they can't live with one another. Both males get along with the female, who's always been low on totem.

Is there a way to work this out? I've tried supervising them, and it's no use, the youngest attacks as soon as he lays eyes on the oldest.

All three cats are altered and indoor cats only.

Any thoughts?
It's appreciated!

As I've said...all cats are altered.

I don't want to declaw my cats at this age, as it tends to get very painful for them at their age.

As far as the dominance issue...I thought so too. But how do I stop it? The youngest has already established the fact that he's the Alpha. My older submisses to him. That should be over and done with, but it continues.

I've thought about placing the youngest, it's just very difficult to do. With the over-abundant cat population, it's not easy finding a home for an adult cat.

Answer 1

Cats are territorial and neutering doesn't change that. But it sounds like there's more going on there than territoriality or establishing social status. A recent issue of Catwatch, the newsletter of the Cornell Feline Health Center, has an article by an animal behaviorist that addressed the problem of long-friendly cats suddenly turning hostile.

Also, someone in the on-line group I belong to for folks with cats with Vaccine-Associated Sarcoma is going through something similar right now. She raised the subject in the forum and got replies from others who have been through it. The information I offer here comes from both of those sources.

An illness, injury or absence from one another's company can upset the relationship between two cats but you didn't mention anything like that.

Fear can trigger this sort of thing. It doesn't have to start as fear of the other cat. If a cat has a bad scare and soon afterwards encounters the other cat, it may associate the other cat with the fright it had. From Catwatch: "The aggression that follows this scenario can be prolonged and difficult to manage. The fearful cat must gradually learn that the [other cat] is not dangerous. In turn, the [other cat] must learn that he is not about to become the victim of a random act of violence [by the first cat.] Treatment will involve a very gradual reintroduction; many cases require months of therapy. Anxiety-reducing medications can be prescribed in some cases to facilitate behavior modification."

You may not have to consult an animal behaviorist, but you will almost certainly have to separate the cats for a while, several days at least, and if that isn't enough, weeks, maybe even months in an extreme case. Reintroduction must be gradual, first allowing the cats to explore one another's space with the other cat not present, so they can become familiar with their scents again, then very gradual introductions after rubbing them with the same towel to minle their scents like you might do with two cats who never met.

Something that might help is a product called Feliway. It's a synthetic pheromone that comes in a dispenser and it mimics the scent left by cats when they mark with their cheeks. We can't smell it, but cats can and they find it very relaxing. It works like a feline transquilizer. It's not sure to work on every cat but several folks in the VAS Group reported outstanding results using it to desensitize cats to anxiety-producing situations, including conflicts like your cats are having. Use it in each of the cats' areas while they're separated as well as when you begin to re-introduce them.

If Feliway, separation and gradual re-introduction don't work, you might consult with a vet about medication. As a last resort, see an animal behaviorist. Your regular vet may be able to refer you to one.

Good luck. You may be in for a long struggle, but as both the Catwatch article and the folks in the VAS Group say, a successful resolution is usually possible.

Answer 2

You can get something called pheromones. It can relax the cats. Sometimes anything can change the structure of the home situation even among adult cats. You have to reintroduce them. Just as though you would with brand new cats. Pet one with a towel, then take it out and pet the other one with it. Feed them on opposite sides of the door, etc... It could take months, but each time an incident results in aggression, you have to start from scratch. Try the pheromone diffuser, also try to pinpoint when they became aggressive. Maybe your bringing in the sent of another animal, maybe a new piece of furniture, If you can figure this out it may help. Also maybe a new cat moved in the neighborhood... Being that your cats are always indoors, they can be easier upset... Good Luck!!!!
Also, you want to make sure you provide them with seperate litter boxes, food bowls etc... I'm sure if you give it enough time you can work it out... Also you may want to take them to the vet, If they're sick it could cause fighting.....

Answer 3

I really doubt this problem is gonna go away, but you can wait and see what happens. If you see not a slightest change whatsoever, it would be best to find one of the male cats another home. I would pick the one that the female cat likes the most, or the one that you feel is more faithful to you. But you should wait a little bit more, just in case the problem changes or goes away. I hope this was a little helpful.

Answer 4

If the female is a recent addition, they may be fighting because of her. Even one negative experience can taint a cat's attitude permenantly--they may have had one fight that set them against each other for good. Try spraying them with a squirt bottle everytime they fight. Eventually they will associate the water with fighting and avoid it.

Another option is to keep them seperated and slowly introduce them to each other over the course of two weeks. Keep them totally apart for a week. Give them turns running the house while the other is shut in a room. They will have the chance to smell each other without having a confrontation. At the beginning of the secong week, swap their bedding so they are sleeping with each other's smell. Towards the middle of the week you can let them sniff each other under the door. By the end of the week, let them be in the same room together. Spending the time apart might reset their little kitty brains.

Answer 5

Sounds like a dominance issue. The younger male now wants top billing. If you don't want to declaw, try what they call nail caps that attach to the cat's nails and act as a barrier, so that way at least the older male is less likely to get hurt.

Answer 6

keeping apart her from the different cats is a stable thought. Its no longer likely that she will attack the male cats on your place, however the male cats attacking her. even although your male cats have been mounted, it continues to be a think approximately their instincts to purpose and mate with a female in warmth. additionally, how old are the kittens? have self belief it or no longer, a kitten would not must be yet a pair of months to a 365 days old to mate. in simple terms keep her separated from the others, and spend it gradual along with her on a similar time as you have her locked away, and watch her around open doors because of the fact she will greater suitable than possibly attempt to interrupt for the outdoors. do no longer take care of it like its a punishment, in spite of everything, its area of nature. replace: confident, she will mate along with her kittens. Cats do no longer understand incest and could mate with something that comes alongside. yet because of the fact the kittens are so youthful, then no, she won't have the means to mate with them.

Answer 7

The best thing for you to do is find one of the male cats a new home. I know this is so sad, but for both cats' safety, you have to do it. Cats are very stubborn and set in their ways, as you know, and now that these two have decided to hate each other, you won't be able to correct it.

Answer 8

I'm taking altered to mean that the males have been castrated so territoriality and dominance shouldn't be playing a factor. Possibly, they need to be allowed outside to work off their energy. If they're not castrated, that might be what will solve the problem. You might have been scammed by the first operation.

Answer 9

i had this problem but i worked it out with a water pistol,, filled with ice cold water,, and being soaked down a few times they stopped fighting,, but ou may take them to the vet they may have something else wrong

Answer 10

if your male cats are not nutered---that could cause agressive behavior----get them fixed====if they are fixed-----try giving one of the male cats to a good home