Once friends, now enemies

This is kinda long, due to their history...

I have two cats, JoJo (5 1/2) and Jack (5). I adopted JJ at 11 months old from a Humane Soc. with a large public cat room and she was nowhere near being Alpha Cat (she'd been there 5 of those 11 months). Jack, I adopted six weeks later from a rescue. He was 7 months old and had only been there a few weeks. Both are speutered.

They were fine, other than the usual hissing and tame batting, for some time. I moved a few times, bringing them with me. (adopted them both in Upstate NY, then moved to Chicago four months later, staying in one apt for two years and moving into a slightly larger apt for one year, before moving to Oregon a year ago). Occasionally, they even would nap next to each other.

Shortly before moving to Oregon last June, they started fighting more. I get Feliway plugins (used constantly, or there will be bloodshed), as well as calmants to add to their wet food. I have some Bachs, and it doesn't seem to work as well as the other stuff I use (from Petco).

Now, here's the other factor: For most of this time, Jack was a smaller, sick cat. He had stomatitis and gingivitis, and eventually had all teeth behind his fangs removed. For ages, I struggled to get him over 9 pounds. He's now a healthy (urf, that's my bladder you're jumping off of, cat!) 13.25 pounds. (JoJo is 15 pounds).

The only thing i can think of is that Jack is now trying to assert Alpha status over JoJo and she's not having any of it!! Since moving here, the aggression is worse. I took them recently to a cats only vet, (I'm not entirely happy with them), who did urinalysis on both. Jack has some crystals forming and JoJo's pH (I think that's what it is) is a little low...

I asked them about meds, like Kitty Prozac or the like. They said that's a last resort and won't do it until I do other things. Problem is, I've done everything I know possible. I don't have a ton of money to buy huge cat trees and get a bigger apt. I can't give either of them their 'own room' as it's a small 2 bedroom place. It's crammed to the hilt as it is. For me, I'm already at last resort. I tried containing Jack in the office (larger of the two bedrooms) one day when I ran out of Feliway and they really went at each other... I came home to a trashed room with things knocked over blocking the door. (I was able to push them out of the way). He went nuts in there (I had food, water and an LB for him).

Now that Jack is healthier, it's like he's in a second kittenhood, as he was sick through a fair chunk of his first one... so he goes bonkers regularly... JJ does her usual crazies in the evenings and mornings...

Any tips?
Amanda

Hmm, if he was sickly, he may just be feeling better and wanting to play/getting bored, and she still doesn't want any of it . I would either switch vets, or explain to your current one about the "wreckage", and that one of them is going to get hurt if this doesn't stop. I would think that they would help you out more with this!

A friend of mine had a similar problem with her cats, so I understand how you feel! Good luck!

Hi there, I love your name RubSluts, that's hillarious! I've got one who's nickname is AttentionWhore, she can't get enough of anyone who sets foot in her house. Anywho, down to business there could be several things affecting your situation. I would first check with your landlord or previous owners of your home, because it is very common for aggression to rear up where one moves into a home where the previous owners had cats or dogs, because your kitties can smell the other previous animals, they just can't find them. If you find out this is the case, you'll want to have the carpets professionally cleaned with a pet neutralizer, the carpet guys will know what you mean when you mention it to them. If you have tile or hard wood floors mop them with Natures Miracle, it is also a pet neutralizer. You will also want to wipe down the walls (at pet level) with Nature's Miracle and the window sills. This should do the trick if this is the issue. Another factor is perhaps the kitties do not have enough vertical territory, it would be great to invest in a scratching post, but other things you can use that are more affordable are window perches (hang a bird or squirrel feeder outside too to help reduce boredom and keep them focused on other stuff besides each other.), also you can purchase a used book shelf from a garage sale or thrift shop and use it strictly for the cats, you can get creative with this one, place a few cat beds on the top shelves (use double sided tape to hold them in place, you don't want the bed to slip off while their trying to get comfy for a nap), glue a string with a toy connected on one of the levels, this could prove to be a good project, latters also work well for this idea too, just make sure it has a good sturdy base and it won't sway or tip over when the cats jump up on it. Have fun with it and remember to place it near a window for them to nap in the warm sunrays that will come through. They'll love it! And lastly as a last resort, your vet can prescribe Prozac for Jack the aggressor and that should do the trick. I actually suggest medication if the aggression has gone on for more than a year, because by now it has developed into a regualar habit, that will in most cases need medication and behavior modification....and if it is to the point of bloodshed which you mentioned and the cat's health and wellbeing is in danger I definently suggest medication. So, if you feel your kitties need it I would suggest going back to your vet and expressing the urgency of this, if he is not receptive, try a new vet, one that perhaps has a certification in behavior (you'll have to ask about this, most say they will provide a behavior consultation, but have no creditials to do so, so ask if they are certified.) A good place to start your search is http://www.certifiedanimalbehaviorist.com/ and click on behaviorist directory. Good luck and I wish you, Jojo, and Jack the best!
Take care,
Kerry

Originally Posted by RubSluts'Mommy

This is kinda long, due to their history...

I have two cats, JoJo (5 1/2) and Jack (5). I adopted JJ at 11 months old from a Humane Soc. with a large public cat room and she was nowhere near being Alpha Cat (she'd been there 5 of those 11 months). Jack, I adopted six weeks later from a rescue. He was 7 months old and had only been there a few weeks. Both are speutered.

They were fine, other than the usual hissing and tame batting, for some time. I moved a few times, bringing them with me. (adopted them both in Upstate NY, then moved to Chicago four months later, staying in one apt for two years and moving into a slightly larger apt for one year, before moving to Oregon a year ago). Occasionally, they even would nap next to each other.

Shortly before moving to Oregon last June, they started fighting more. I get Feliway plugins (used constantly, or there will be bloodshed), as well as calmants to add to their wet food. I have some Bachs, and it doesn't seem to work as well as the other stuff I use (from Petco).

Now, here's the other factor: For most of this time, Jack was a smaller, sick cat. He had stomatitis and gingivitis, and eventually had all teeth behind his fangs removed. For ages, I struggled to get him over 9 pounds. He's now a healthy (urf, that's my bladder you're jumping off of, cat!) 13.25 pounds. (JoJo is 15 pounds).

The only thing i can think of is that Jack is now trying to assert Alpha status over JoJo and she's not having any of it!! Since moving here, the aggression is worse. I took them recently to a cats only vet, (I'm not entirely happy with them), who did urinalysis on both. Jack has some crystals forming and JoJo's pH (I think that's what it is) is a little low...

I asked them about meds, like Kitty Prozac or the like. They said that's a last resort and won't do it until I do other things. Problem is, I've done everything I know possible. I don't have a ton of money to buy huge cat trees and get a bigger apt. I can't give either of them their 'own room' as it's a small 2 bedroom place. It's crammed to the hilt as it is. For me, I'm already at last resort. I tried containing Jack in the office (larger of the two bedrooms) one day when I ran out of Feliway and they really went at each other... I came home to a trashed room with things knocked over blocking the door. (I was able to push them out of the way). He went nuts in there (I had food, water and an LB for him).

Now that Jack is healthier, it's like he's in a second kittenhood, as he was sick through a fair chunk of his first one... so he goes bonkers regularly... JJ does her usual crazies in the evenings and mornings...

Any tips?
Amanda

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Thanks. It's a brand new apt complex, and I am the first tenant in my unit. So I knew that wasn't it. As for vertical territory, I can't afford a big fancy cat condo right now. Heck, they barely touch the little one. But I have designs on a bookcase sitting at my parents house (will be visiting in a week). I may cut down the shelves and anchor them to a piece in the front as well as replacing the back 'wall'. I'll stagger theshelves so they can reach the top from the inside. That bookcase is about 6.5 feet tall... should be okay, if they use it. If not, IKEA still makes shelves, so I can convert it back to a bookcase... then buy a real cat tree someday...

I got the name of a vet that apparently listens better than the one i went to. A fellow volunteer at the shelter has one of her cats on a similar med. so she suggested i call them and take them in to this vet instead.

I feel better now that a pro has listened and does agree. Sometimes vets just don't listen. I know my catspretty well, and I know when something isn't working.

Thank you.

Amanda
PS: Jack is Rub **** in this house. All I have to do is look at him and he flops over on his back, begging for belly scritches... such a goofball.

Good luck with the new vet, I hope he listens better than the last one.
Take care!
Kerry

Originally Posted by RubSluts'Mommy

Thanks. It's a brand new apt complex, and I am the first tenant in my unit. So I knew that wasn't it. As for vertical territory, I can't afford a big fancy cat condo right now. Heck, they barely touch the little one. But I have designs on a bookcase sitting at my parents house (will be visiting in a week). I may cut down the shelves and anchor them to a piece in the front as well as replacing the back 'wall'. I'll stagger theshelves so they can reach the top from the inside. That bookcase is about 6.5 feet tall... should be okay, if they use it. If not, IKEA still makes shelves, so I can convert it back to a bookcase... then buy a real cat tree someday...

I got the name of a vet that apparently listens better than the one i went to. A fellow volunteer at the shelter has one of her cats on a similar med. so she suggested i call them and take them in to this vet instead.

I feel better now that a pro has listened and does agree. Sometimes vets just don't listen. I know my catspretty well, and I know when something isn't working.

Thank you.

Amanda
PS: Jack is Rub **** in this house. All I have to do is look at him and he flops over on his back, begging for belly scritches... such a goofball.

Click to expand...