Psycho cat?

Question

Ok, I need some serious answers on this one.

I have 3 cats - 2 are 4 years old and the other is 9 yrs. They have all been together for 3 years now and have gotten along fine up until recently. We moved into our new apartment 2 weeks ago today and haven't had any problems until the day before yesterday. My flame point siamese(very sensitive and a big spoiled brat baby) started hissing at the other 2 for no reason at all. Mainly the oldest one. There are no health issues, all get the same amount of attention, absolutely NOTHING has changed from the normal. Since he's the spoiled baby he usually gets all the attention. To discipline him I put him in another room for a "time out" so he can chill - yes just like a child. He spends abount 5 - 10 mins in there and comes out, if he continues it goes to 15 mins.

He knows I'm the alpha cat so he won't hurt me but he'll hiss at me and I won't beat him. I just don't understand what his issue is all of the sudden.

Clear up some confusion:
1) He is 4 yrs old and the others are 4 and 9.
2) We are on the 2nd floor.
3) He was fine with the move for the last 11 or 12 days
4) All food, water, treats, toys, litter, and lovin's are the same.
5) No health issues. Everyone's is healthy.
6) No animals downstairs from us.
7) The others go the other direction when he acts up. They don't confront him or fight back.

I have 2 thoughts though. 1) there is a squirrel living in the attic that goes up and down the walls but he hisses at night too. Still smells it? 2) My husband is in the National Guard and has been gone a lot more than normal but I am the one he loves the most. He's "my" cat. Maybe psycho was a little strong but he sure is acting like it. I've been owned by cats for 12 years and never had one like this.

Answer 1

Hopefully this is simple, You threw him off-balance with your move you big meanie! (That's what he's thinking, not me) I've moved a lot and unfortunetely my poor kitty had to come along and she pulled this so many times.. they think you're just there temporary and you're really going home soon, that would be why he took so long to react this way. As for his aggression, he's just ticked off and the situation, and just like people, is 'snapping' at them. Give him some extra lovin's, maybe treats or a new bed, and he'll come around. Congrats on your move and good luck with the little psycho!

Answer 2

Cats are creatures of habit and most of them find moving house very stressful. However, I think this is a territorial problem. When you adopted your two younger cats, they moved into your older cat's established territory and weren't really old enough to challenge him for a bigger share. New home means new territory to be divided, and now that he's an adult, perhaps he's decided to assert himself to make sure that he has first rights to certain areas, comfy chairs, sunny spots etc. Provided that the hissing doesn't progress to fighting, and the other cats aren't becoming stressed by his behaviour, then I don't think you need worry. Once they have divided up the territory to see who gets what, he should calm down.

It can of course take many cats a month or so to feel completely settled in a new home. Cats rely heavily on their sense of smell, and find it comforting to be surrounded by their own scent. When cats chin rub against furniture and paintwork they are subtly marking your home with their scent. As you've only been there two weeks, it probably doesn't smell like "home" to them yet. A Feliway plug-in may help as they emit an aroma that mimics the scent found in cats' cheek glands. Alternatively, Bach Flower Remedies can help treat a variety of behavioural problems. The web article below advises which ones to use and how to administer them.

http://www.critterchat.net/bach.htm

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

It could be that there's another cat (or cat smell associated with your new apt) that he's "blaming" on the other two cats. I'm not clear which (age) cat is doing the hissing, but, if all are healthy, and you haven't changed any of their food or water, I don't know what else it could be. If you live on a "ground" floor, this cat may be seeing something outside that's irritating him, too. Good luck finding out the cause of this behavior.

Answer 4

He is probably just stressed out because of the move. Pets can take it just as hard as or harder than people. When he hisses, gently (with gloves if he's aggressive) nudge him away from the other two and pick up the two and sit on the couch with them(not panicking, as this will make it worse) until he is calm then put him in your lap and pet him.

Answer 5

1. You just moved and he's not adjusted to that yet.
2. The two other cats have ganged up on him.
3. He needs to find a special place where he won't be disturbed
if he feels picked on.
4. No, he's not psycho, just hasn't adapted as well as the others.

Answer 6

Your cat is probably stressed out from the sudden move and it is her way of showing how upset she is. Cats enjoy the same thing day after day. Any change in their environment (no matter how small) can upset a cat.

Answer 7

the move is hard on animals.
But I wonder, sometimes it's been known to have animals change their behavior when something bad is about to happen. Like before earth quakes animals go crazy for no aparent reason.