I have two cats, one male one female, both are fixed. they are only 4 months apart in age and have been best friends for the past 6 years. Recently, they have been fighting all the time even though they seem to hate to be separated. Where one goes, the other goes.
It begins with my male prowling around the house, then my female starts to hiss and growl, then my male pounces on her and she runs and it's fighting time, howls and all.
The vet (3 months ago) switched them from free choice dry to 2x a day wet food only to make them lose weight. I know my male is miserable with his new Atkins diet but he was too fat. I have feliway diffusers in all rooms they go in. I have tried scruffing. I have tried toys. Fresh air. Hissing back.
They are both in perfect health as of their appointment two days ago.
HELP!!!!
2007-01-30 08:28:32 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
I've had this problem with my cats before. Two of my cats are littermates and normally get along well. But when the male wants to play and to wrestle, the female gets really annoyed - she has no interest in wrestling with him.
Go to the pet store & try to find a giant toy fur-covered rat with catnip in it, or another large soft toy that he can grab onto and rabbit-kick - the toy needs to be pretty big, almost as big as another cat. If he likes catnip, put some on it. If he doesn't like catnip, you can find honeysuckle online - sometimes cats that aren't affected by catnip love honeysuckle. If you can't find a big, kickable toy, you may be able to make one. A tube sock stuffed with cotton & a bit of catnip & knotted at the end may work, or you could try a new soft wooly paint roller with catnip rubbed on it. When the boy starts chasing after the girl, distract him with his toy - he should start grabbing and rabbit-kicking that instead of the female. If he persists in going after her, pick him up and put him somewhere for a few minutes to calm down - a 'time out' of about 5 minutes in the bathroom usually worked for my boy. He eventually figured out that he could attack his toy rat all he wanted, but pestering his sister would just get him a timeout.
If you don't have some tall cat trees, it's a good idea to buy or build a couple. It will help to have a place where they can get up high, so the female can get away from the male for a little while if she wants to, and so the male can work off some of his energy climbing. If space is a concern, http://www.iroquoisinnovations.com/ has some nice trees that take up very little floor space.
Just a thought: If you're up for another cat, you may want to consider getting another male for your cat to wrestle with. If the introductions are taken slowly and carefully, they should get along well. This article tells you how: http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattocatintroductions
After I got married & carefully introduced my boy to my husband's male, they became wrestling buddies. Now they can wrestle to their heart's content, and the female gets some peace.
2007-01-30 09:43:27 · answer #1 · answered by Bess2002 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A general rule is NO hissing, spitting, raised fur or long periods of aggressive staring means play. HISSING AND SPITTING ARE NOT PLAYING. Try to take the male to a different part of the house and give the female a place and chance to hide for a while. I have several cats and I deal with this every day. It starts as a game, then becomes a fight. It sounds like the male wants to play and the female don't, this results in a fight.
2007-01-30 08:33:15 · answer #2 · answered by Captain 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In case this description helps:
Our cat (Hippie) and the cat across the street (Mozart) are good buddies. They play-fight. All the following actions are often but not always: "Kiss" (lick or at least touch noses). Tap or wave paws. One lies down, submissively, inviting the other to fight. The other, slowly, approaches, then pounces. They grapple. Much hissing, screaming, growling, even clawing, lost fur. Unclench. One chases the other for six to twenty feet. All is well.
2007-01-30 08:37:13 · answer #3 · answered by fjpoblam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are simply trying to establish dominance. Somebody always has to be boss ya know. I wouldn't think it has anything to do with the food you are giving them. They may be a bit testy though if they are not getting the food they want. Also, it might be a case of boredom. Try showing both cats a bit more attention..play with both of them at the same time. Make a game of it. We have a great toy for our cats here. We took a very long box and cut squares into the sides, top, etc. and let the cats get in and then play with them with string toys. When we don't have time to play with them, they tend to get in there and amuse themselves. Good luck with your pets.
2007-01-30 08:40:43 · answer #4 · answered by Shar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your cats are in teenager years Im being serious.I have 9 cats and they do go through it. They will go through changes just like us. I have one thats is 6 years old and she used to be the big b around here and now a younger one thats is 1 year old is kicking her butt. They all become moody every once in awhile just like humans.I would say he has been beating on her and she is hissing to make him get away from her.If she is hiding from him that is what is going on. It will pass I promise.
2007-01-30 08:41:53 · answer #5 · answered by bluemoon 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have the exact same situation... i think they are playing, but just get carried away sometimes. every now and then we'll see the male walking around the house with a tuft of the female's hair dangling from his mouth! that is a little disconcerting, but i really think they just get over excited.
2007-01-30 08:37:27 · answer #6 · answered by djstickylee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are playing it,s because they need to learn to fight so if they get in to a real fight with a nother cat they would be able to protect them selfs, they do they same thing in the wild the cars back would stand up if it was real. it jest a part of life. in growning up.so get let them go out side that they will run and play out side.
2007-01-30 08:36:53 · answer #7 · answered by i,m here if you need to talk. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems like just a little play fight!! but keep watch, as long as it doesn't go beyond hissing and punding (No bleeding and stuff) it's all right.
2007-01-30 08:35:36 · answer #8 · answered by homie101 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think they are only playing because I have two dogs and they are always playing like they are fighting. Good Luck finding the best answer!
2007-01-30 08:37:58 · answer #9 · answered by krmhockey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Playing
If they were real fighting you would have 2 severely injured bleeding kitties.
2007-01-30 08:31:43 · answer #10 · answered by artisticallyderanged 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋